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

What would you say are bully characteristics evident in an offender? What are preventions of recidivism? What recommendations do you have for preventing bullying behavior in children? What about for strategies dealing with parents of bullies?

Asked by Lisa Simmons over 11 years ago

I'm not an expert on child behavior, nor on bullying.  There is likely a lot of research on the topic that you can find via Google.  I'd treat it all with a serious grain of salt though.  A lot (most?) research is funded by groups with specific goals in mind.

I can tell you from my exeprience, which is not scientific at all and should not be taken as such, that behavior is largely learned.  Kids imitate what they see, so both bullies AND victims are largely learned behavior.  Unfortunately, many parents, schools and even society is teaching people that being a victim is morally superior than standing up for one's self.  Sad really.

 

Who takes the call from a 911 dispatcher? How do 911 dispatchers relay info to cops? If a 911 call happens at night who is there to take it? Are off duty members of the force contacted as well?

Asked by Writer23 about 11 years ago

Many 911 centers have call takers who answer the phones.  They enter information into a computer (often called a call screen because it shows information about all of the active calls for service).  

A dispatcher pulls the information from the call screen and relays it to the patrol officers.  This can be done via computer (many agencies use computer aided dispatching), by voice transmission on the radio, or through a combination of both.

As the call taker gets more information, the call screen is updated in real time.

Depending on the size of the agency, call takers and dispatchers may be separate positions or all of the communication staff may be cross-trained and do all of the jobs.  At a small department, only one or two people may be on duty and have to do all of the call taking and dispatching.  Other departments may employ dozens or even hundreds of communications employees.

Off duty officers are rarely contacted.  In those cases it is typically because of manpower shortages and/or emergencies.  For example, a hostage situation requires the presence of a large number of officers, so off-duty officers could be called in to assist with normal patrol calls.   This tends to be uncommon at most departments.

My ex boyfriend is harrassing me about my son. He keeps wanting DNA done but my son has already had it done and of course he doesn't believe me. What do I do? Do I have to go to court over this?

Asked by My ex boyfriend is harrassing over 11 years ago

I'm unclear on your situation, and it is a civil matter regardless.  Your best bet is to contact a family law attorney and talk to him or her.

He will likely have to initiate court proceedings if he wants to obtain parental rights of a child born out of wedlock.  On the other hand, if you are trying to obtain child support from him, you would likely need to start court proceedings.

None of this is legal advice, and you should really contact a family law attorney.

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 10 years ago

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

What is your opinion on police screening? When do you think police screening of recruits should start?

Asked by mauisheri@gmail.com about 11 years ago

Police screening should be mandatory.  It should start when they apply to attend the academy or apply for a job with a department (depending on what the proceedures are for your state.)  Any earlier is called spying; any later would be foolish.

Are big city police stations more likely to be smaller than suburban stations? Because in the NYPD for example, there are many of them, so they can spread units out. Whereas a suburb has to have all its units working in a few or one station.

Asked by Ryan over 10 years ago

It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  There are no rules, and I doubt anyone can make any accurate generalizations.

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 about 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)?