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.

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Last Answer on October 29, 2014

Best Rated

If a person is arrested and has an animal in their vehicle, what is the protocol? Does it change based on breed (i.e; pit bull vs. teacup poodle?)

Asked by Ivan almost 12 years ago

Policies vary depending on the department, but generally:

1.  If someone is there that the owner would like to take custody of the animal, they can.

2.  If no one is close at hand that the owner will allow to take the animal, the animal will be collected by whatever animal control organization is in the area.  Some jurisdictions this is operated by the government, in other areas it is contracted out to another organization.  Once the owner posts a bond, he or she can then go collect his or her animal.

is it true you get to take home the k9's when your off duty

Asked by jacob almost 12 years ago

The handler and dog are considered a team.  Most departments require the handler to board, feed, and care for the dog off duty.  Typically there is a small stipend provided to the officer for this time, food and supplies.  Rarely does that stipend cover everything the human puts into the care of the dog.

Is there something that can be done about a parent who lives with you taking, reading and withholding your mail that contains information about your money on it? eg. bank statements bills 401k paperwork mail from school financial aid etc.

Asked by bhlargh27 over 10 years ago

If you are an adult, they should not withhold your mail from you.  I would suggest considering some other housing arrangement if you cannot get along.

If I'm currently 17 years old with a Provisional Drivers License (with restrictions AG) in Texas, is it legal for me to drive my little cousins home from school? (I have car-seats and they are 6 and 7 years old)

Asked by Revitalize over 11 years ago

Contact the local Texas DPS or police department to explain your state's laws.

Dear BlueSheepdog, would it be considered sexual harassment if a male acquittance touched and poked my breasts when I clearly uncomfortable with it by folding my arms over my breasts? You must hear this so much.

Asked by Garnettoi almost 11 years ago

What you describe is the crime of battery, an unlawful touching.  Depending on the state you live in there may be enhancers or separate laws regarind the sexual nature of the battery.

You are clearly in a dangerous situation when someone is touching your breasts against your will, and you should take such reasonable actions to protect yourself.

How does being a police officer impact a workers personal and family life?

Asked by Megan over 11 years ago

The impacts have been studied by many researchers for several decades.  The influence of the job on the personal life is significant, and few people are really prepared for it.  

Many friends, and even some family, will no longer associate with the new police officer because of the job.  The officer's spouse and other family will live in fear that this shift could be the one where the officer is killed or horrifically injured.  The officer is confornted by violence, death and evil every shift and begins to worry constantly about the safety of his/her family and loved ones.

It is a high-stress job and you are never really "off duty."  Officers with a very strong faith and solid family support tend to fare better than others, but the job has a very strong impact on all relationships, the health of the officer and every other aspect of the officer's life. 

You may have heard that officers have high divorce rates and high instances of alcohol abuse.  One of the dirty secrets of police work is a relatively high incidence of suicide as well.  All of these things obviously impact the family in a severe way.

There is a lot of research out there, but here are a few places to look:

 

https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/163175.pdf

http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1218&context=honors

http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=120&issue_id=102003

http://www.emich.edu/cerns/downloads/papers/PoliceStaff/Shift%20Work,%20%20Stress,%20%20Wellness/Police%20Stress%20and%20the%20Effects%20on%20the%20Family.pdf

Is it more common for police cars to be manned by two officers or one? Are two-person police cars usually found in more dangerous areas? Thanks.

Asked by Jet over 10 years ago

The deployment of one or two officers to a car is largely dependent on the ingrained culture of the department.  Many years ago a study suggested officers were no less safe patroling solo as they are with a partner.