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

I'm meeting with a lieutenant to tell him about some upsetting experiences with some officers. The only time he can meet is at 6:45 a.m. in front of the station, which doesn't open until 8 a.m. Is there video surveillance in front? I'd feel better.

Asked by Carolyn about 13 years ago

No idea what department it is, or what equipment they have in place.  The agency may have recorded video, but it is impossible for me to know.

If this lieutenant works midnights and gets off at 7 am, the time is pretty reasonable for his/her schedule and doesn't suggest any nefarious activity. 

Just a follow up to last question.

Would you ticket an individual if you saw it?

Asked by Peter s almost 13 years ago

If I understand the question correctly (entered on green, waited for traffic to clear to complete the turn, light turned red and then you cleared the intersection) - no.  But then, laws vary from place to place.

If someone has an exceptionally prestigious education (i.e. Ivy League college degree), does that give them a better chance for getting into a PD and getting promoted? (Of course in addition to experience and good performance.)

Asked by Ryan over 12 years ago

Unlikely.  It would indicate to me that the person overspent on education and might be a poor steward of the department budget.

Can you track a criminal through messages with a cellular device to find out where they are at ?

Asked by Jy over 11 years ago

Yes.

My question can a Muslim woman be a cop if she is citizen? And she also wear hijab

Asked by Dina almost 13 years ago

First question - Absolutely.  There are no prohibitions or requirements for any specific religion or absense thereof to be a police officer.  Of course, any religious biases that prevent you from impartially and effectively enforcing the laws of your state should prevent you from pursuing a career in law enforcement.  For example, if you believe sharia law trumps the laws of your state, you have no place in police work.

Second question - I sure hope rules are not changed to allow police officers to wear a hijab.  Police officers are required to wear uniforms, and that means a standard way of dressing.  Clothing visibly worn for religious purposes should not be part of a police officer's uniform.  A law enforcement officer is expected to impartially enforce the law for all citizens, and when there is an obvious bias it undermines the public's trust in the officer and agency.

If you believe you should be able to wear a hijab at work, then law enforcement is not the job for you.  

Keep in mind that the nature of law enforcement does not allow you to regularly take off holy days.  This is the same for Christians have to work Easter, and Jews who work on Yom Kippur.

Faith is very important, and if your faith will cause you conflict in a law enforcement career, you might want to consider an alternative job path.

Do detectives participate in raids? If so, when?

Asked by Writer23 over 12 years ago

Detectives can participate in a warrant service, and frequently do.

A high risk warrant service is usually handled by a SWAT team, which can have detectives on the team.  Once the scene is secure, non-SWAT officers/detectives will frequently be responsible for the securing and documenting of evidence.

most ppl where im from become products of their environment when i was younger i did some bad things. i sold drugs for a week but i felt so bad i quit, then joined the military to atone. will my past destroy any chances i have as a police officer...

Asked by Young. over 12 years ago

Maybe not.  If you have been convicted of certain crimes, there isn't much you can do about that.  However, without any prior arrests or convictions, you may still be able to obtain employment as a police officer.  A solid military record with an honorable discharge (staying in the active reserves is even better) will go a long way to showing you aren't the person that you may have been in the past.  The longer the time space between criminal activity and when you apply is better.  Also, holding a secret clearance shows you have previously passed a background check, which helps.