Sergeant Shanski is Jeff Conniker's superior officer in the Washington police department they serve in. He appears to have a close professional and personal relationship with Jeff, though he does not use that position to exonerate or excuse Jeff's misbehaviors.
Biography[]
While Jeff is researching about sudden personality changes as pertains to his partner Carly Shannon, Sarge drives over to Jeff's patrol car and hands him a flash disk containing security footage of a fight involving Marcy Warton that happened outside a library the other night. Having viewed footage of the said fight, Sarge cryptically warns Jeff that it has some "interesting twists". (S1E03: Aleksander)
When Jeff is embroiled in the public shooting of a child, Sarge urges him to calm down as he trusts the system will eventually exonerate Jeff in the shooting. He tells Jeff that the girl, Charlotte, murdered her own family the previous night. He advises Jeff to get hold of Carly, a material witness to the event, though she's not answering her phone. Sarge empathizes with Jeff and Carly's domestic problems, though he has no choice but to demand Jeff's badge while investigation is ongoing. Smelling the booze on Jeff, Sarge argues even he would've drank some if he was forced to shoot a child, but it will only make things worse, so he advises Jeff to just go home. (S2E01: Ave Machina)
Jeff is eventually reinstated as a cop. During the outbreak of a particularly virulent flu strain, Sarge is reviewing duty rosters when Jeff turns up asking for his assignment. He urges Jeff to get immunized immediately; with McCallister and Victoria Boyd out sick, he sends Jeff to cover McCallister's shift at the hospital. (S2E05: Jenny)
Following further turmoils in Jeff's personal life that resulted in him being arrested for drunk driving, Sarge goes to Jeff's holding room, scolds him for it, and announces his suspension pending disciplinary hearing, again asking for his badge. He notifies Jeff that his son Jeffrey Jr. is becoming a regular with Washington Family Services, and sternly implores Jeff to get some help for himself. (S3E02: Yates)
After some time, Sarge manages to drop the DUI charges on Jeff but he still remains on probation. Jeff, however, has been overwritten by Traveler 5416. Sarge tells "Jeff" he needs to turn his life around through AA, therapy, community services, rehab, or some combination thereof. He hands Jeff a list of social workers who might be a good fit for him, and bids him good luck. (S3E04: Perrow, S3E06: Philip)
Trivia[]
- Numerous actors in Travelers also had roles in the Stargate franchise, both of which had Brad Wright as an executive producer. Steve Makaj portrayed Makepeace in Stargate SG-1.
- Makaj is only ever credited as "Police Sergeant" or variations thereof. His character's name Shanski is only seen in his nametag in quick cuts.