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

Sorry about that. What kind of tests do they go through when the are in the academy?

Asked by mauisheriff@gmail.com almost 12 years ago

There are written and oral tests that cover everything from law to criminal procedure to firearms to first aid.

There are performance tests where the recruit has to demonstrate their ability to perform specific tasks such as firearms proficiency, physical fitness, defensive tactics, and medical techniques.

Then there are larger performance tests that measures the students' ability to handle complex scenarios such as investigating a traffic accident, processing a crime scene, investigating a domestic violence incident or responding to a spree killer.

Additionally, the entire academy is a test of the students' mental, emotional and physical ability to complete a long and demanding course of instruction.  Many students quit because of the pressure.

Many states have a comprehensive written test at the end of the academy the student must pass for state certification.

if someone has two out of state vehicles with expired everything on them, how do you go about finding out what's really going on with this person? I don't mind helping people but something isnt right!

Asked by amicrazy almost 11 years ago

What exactly do you think is going on? Are expired tags considered a heinous crime in your area? If so, let the rest of us know so we can get away from real crime and move there.

I have a few questions. When just getting out of the police academy what are your options for what department you work for? (like homicide, vice,ect) Also when you get a job at a police department do you have to go through specific training?

Asked by April over 10 years ago

If you go to work for a local police department, you will go to uniform patrol. It is there that you will learn a lot about the job and people. If you become really good at your job, you can earn your way into a specialized position. Some people are really good but enjoy patrol, so they stay in uniform.

When you first get to the department, you go through a field training & evaluation program that will help get you the very basic level of proficiency in doing the job.

There is a visible spade of law enforcement officials engaging in unnessessary violance or other abuse of powers. It is no longer outlandish to conclude that some police may be a threat to my survival. When am I allowed to resist or flee?

Asked by Khannea about 11 years ago

"spade" - I do not think that word means what you think it means.

Oh, and your premise is false.

if a crime was committed early in 2012 can a person still be charged with that same crime a year afterwards

Asked by monalisa almost 12 years ago

Probably - It depends on the crime and the laws of your state.

When you were a sergeant and lieutenant what was your job assignment? I know it depends on the PD, but for you, how did the change in rank change what you did during your work?

Asked by Ryan over 11 years ago

I was a sgt at one department and a lieutenant at another.  The duties of the ranks were different at each of the two agencies.  For example, one of my duties at both jobs was being the commander of the field training and evaluation program.  Yet one department assigned that to a sergeant and the other agency to a lieutenant.  There are no hard and fast rules.

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 11 years ago

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