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 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 about 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.

Can someone be stopped by a police officer just for looking suspicious? Not race or anything. Let's say a guy tries to avoid eye contact with you when you're patrolling in a police car. Can he be stopped for questioning? Can he be followed?

Asked by Red almost 11 years ago

If a police officer can develop reasonable, articulable suspicion that you are involved in criminal activity, you can be detained.  You are not free to leave in this case.

Any police officer can walk up and start talking to you, including asking for ID, without any articulable suspicion.  However, you are free to leave in this circumstance.

If you want to leave, and don't know if you are able to, politely ask the officer if you may leave.  He or she will let you know.

Brother was a suspect in a crime. He was killed by officers when my brother shot at them.. This part I do not argue. Since he will never be charged and get a trial . Why wont police tell me what evidence or proof that led to warrant being issued. I

Asked by LORIkAYE over 11 years ago

I don't know why they are withholding information.  It is very possible that it is an open investigation and exempt from open records laws.

If someone gets access to YOUR pictures and threatens to post them everywhere online, and blackmails you that way, could they be arrested?

Asked by Allyson over 11 years ago

Blackmail is illegal, regardless of who the victim is.  State laws vary on what constitutes blackmail.  

Depending on the nature of the photos and how someone came into their possession there could be other criminal activity.  For example, did someone hack into your computer and steal data (illegal) or photograph you in a public location (legal)?

When a police officer dies ~ who would normally receive his badge. Is there a law in PA on who can receive it?

Asked by Jamie over 11 years ago

I don't know if there is a law in any of the states specifying what happens to a fallen officer's badge.  Typically, this is covered in the department's standard operating procedures.  Most departments provide the badge to the next of kin.

an acquaintance of mine has managed to obtain numerous credit with a range of catalogs using a fake name and contact details nevertheless has used her address is that still fraud

Asked by wolfgirl over 11 years ago

Most definitely.  Since there is a pattern of fraudulent activity, this could be treated as a much more serious criminal enterprise akin to organized crime.  The specific laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Writing a book & have a Q. If an officer is shot on a call, in say, NYC, would someone call the family to inform them the officer's been taken to the hospital or would they send a unit to their house to inform them? Sad question, I know. Thank you!

Asked by Author over 11 years ago

While I cannot speak to the precise policy of NYPD, I can say that almost every agency would send an officer to the spouse/family.  That's really not news someone should get over the phone, and they aren't likely to be safe to drive themselves to the hospital.