Police Officer

Police Officer

BlueSheepdog

10 Years Experience

Around the Way, FL

Male, 40

Cheating death and fighting communism: that is how a fellow officer once described our job. It was meant to be funny, but as time went on it seemed all too true.

I spent more than ten years in law enforcement, all of it on the street in uniform patrol. I've been a patrol officer, instructor, sergeant and lieutenant.

Do not report crimes here. Nothing here should be considered legal advice. All opinions are my own.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

615 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on October 29, 2014

Best Rated

Do you need to get a person's consent before you test his DNA looking for a match? Or if the person is in a public place and, for example, discards gum or a cigarette can that be collected and tested without his consent?

Asked by twotimes about 12 years ago

The collection of DNA evidence is still an evolving body of case law, so there are few absolutes on obtaining it.  Its admissibility into a court of law is beyond my area of expertise.  Generally, however, discarded items are considered abandoned property and can be collected, tested, etc. without anyone's consent.  

Thank you for the previous answer. Just wanted to add, I did tell the lieutenant I wanted to meet in person so that I could bring someone for moral support. Now I can't. I was assaulted by someone I trusted. I had hoped he'd have been more sensitive.

Asked by Carolyn almost 12 years ago

I hope everything works out for you.

what would you do in the scenario of you pull over a car with 4 people you arrest one of them with only one pair of handcuffs and the other 3 gang up on you injure you where you cant radio dispatch with no handcuffs and the 3 guys coming after you?

Asked by tyler almost 12 years ago

First of all, I would never try to arrest anyone by myself in the scenario presented.  Secondly, I always carry two pairs of handcuffs on my person, and have additional restraints in my patrol car.  

However, if I found myself in a situation similar to what you describe, i.e. three people attacking me without any backup, I would treat that as a deadly force situation.  In other words, it is reasonable to believe that three people who are attacking a police officer are likely to cause the officer great bodily harm and/or death. Additionally, an incapacitated officer would not be able to prevent them from taking his firearms and other weapons to do additional harm to the public.  Since they are an imminent deadly threat, lethal force is a reasonable response for me or any other officer.  

Shooting them would certainly be a reasonable course of action.  It is unfortunate, but attacking me is the choice they made and dictated my response.

 

Do radar detectors work? Are they illegal? Have you ever pulled someone over and caught him with one?

Asked by radarrr about 12 years ago

Some work better than others - I'd suggest checking out the online reviews of them before spending your money. I'd actually rather see people drive at reasonable speeds, especially since speed tends to be the largest factor in fatality accidents. Regardless, do your research before spending your money. Some are a complete waste of dollars, while others offer some advanced notice. RADAR/LASER detectors are illegal in some jurisdictions, but not all. Check your local laws. Yep, I've stopped a lot of people with a detector in plain view. They are legal in my area, so its no big deal. Personally, I don't care one way or another about them. Sometimes people get flustered when they realize I can see it - it is mildy amusing. One guy got really angry about how his detector didn't work, even though I didn't even have a RADAR/LASER in the patrol car (he had an expired tag.) I think he had unrealistic expectations about the detector.

I am in college and trying to get an internship in law enforcement. Unfortunately I have made regrettable decisions 2 years ago and experimented with molly and ecstasy once each. Will admitting this hinder me getting any internships?

Asked by alex almost 12 years ago

Hinder you - possibly.  But they won't rule you out completely.  If one agency turns down your internship request, keep trying.  Everyone makes mistakes, but if you haven't been using drugs or been involved in illegal activity since then, you can likely land an internship somewhere.  If you want it - don't give up.

I am a Police Officer Candidate. I recently passed my initial officer selection test and physical testing. However, I am deaf in one ear. How much does this affect me?

Asked by Hans almost 12 years ago

Only you can make the decision on how much it affects you.  If you have passed the physical, then the department does not seem too concerned about it.

I will say that I have serious concerns for your safety if you are unable to hear in one ear.  If you have a radio mic plugged in your "good" ear, how will you hear anything going on around you?  At night when it is difficult to see, and you rely more on your hearing, how impaired will you be?  If someone is walking up behind you on your deaf side, will you be able to hear them?

These are questions I cannot answer.  I do not want to discourage anyone from getting into police work that has a genuine interest, but I don't want to see you get hurt or killed because of the deafness.  FYI - If it is only partial deafness and your hearing can be enhanced with a hearing air of some kind, I don't see any problem.

I'm 14 I was wondering if I can move in with y boyfriends family . Because my parents are threatening me to break up with him. Why because of racism. He said he's going to call the police on me if I won't break up with him. Can I leave home.

Asked by Stacy almost 12 years ago

You are 14.  As a child, you must obey your parents.  Running away won't solve anything, and can have negative consequences for you and the other involved people.  At your age, your intimate involvement with another person could land them in prison.

I'd suggest talking to the school resource officer at your school or a member of the clergy at your church for guidence.