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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615 Questions

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Last Answer on October 29, 2014

Best Rated

Can people with epilepsy join the police force if they cannot drive?

Asked by Jenna about 10 years ago

Nope.

When applying to be a police officer you are asked if you had been involved in any criminal activity, if i answer honestly even though I have a clean record could it legally be used to obtain a search warrant or for a criminal investigation?

Asked by MICHEAL almost 11 years ago

Depends on the circumstances.  However, I'm not sure that you are describing the ideal police candidate anyway...

So then how should I go about getting experience for police k9 training? Where do the police officers who train the dogs get their experience from?

Asked by Alessandro Ferri about 10 years ago

Working the road. Where else?

Until you've had to make decisions on when to deploy a dog in a real-life, volatile use-of-force situation, and then justify those decisions to your chain of command, an internal affairs investigation, a city attorney and (probably) a court, how exactly do you figure you will have the credibility to tell others what they need to know?

It's one thing to know the law from reading a book or attending a training class, its another to apply it appropriately in the field. It is a bit like training in the dojo vs. a street fight. Or perhaps a better analogy is the guy sitting on the couch watching a football game who has never stepped onto the field, yet thinks he knows better than the players. 

Reality is a harsh, unforgiving mistress. Until you've danced with her a while, you simply don't know what you don't know.

Is it jay walking when u cross the street when there's no streetlight?

Asked by Michelle over 10 years ago

Each state has different laws.  Refer to your state's laws.  Google can help you find the official listing of laws for your state.

What are some reasons to not go into law enforcement?

Asked by Emily over 10 years ago

Getting shot.  Getting stabbed.  Getting broken bones.  Getting killed in an accident.  Being strangled.  Acquiring incurable diseases.  Dealing with rotting bodies.  Telling people that their loved one has been killed.  Horrible hours.  Working weekends.  Working holidays.  Dealing with defense attorneys and other scum.  Low wages.  Poor opportunity for advancement.  Getting sued.  Being rained on.  Being snowed on.  Working in a hurricane while all sane people have long since fled.  Wrestling drunks in the mud.  Dealing with unrealistic expecations of the public.  Dealing with the unrealistic expectations of pencil pushers in city hall.  Stress and related health problems.  Chronic back problems from wearing a duty belt.  Not being able to have normal relationships with non-cops.  Hyper vigilance.  Not being around for your family.  Did I mention rotting bodies?  Polyester uniforms.  People throwing feces and urine on you.  Being spit on.  Fighting for your life as a regular job function.  Dealing with other people's children.  Going to the funerals of your friends.  

<sarcasm>Oh, but the paycheck makes it all worthwhile.</sarcasm>

I have stopped going to see my dad as of 12/31/12 and he is dropping me from health insurance. I am also taking a car back that is in his name tomorrow. He keeps calling and trying to argue with my mom and I. He calls repeatedly. What do I do?

Asked by Josh over 10 years ago

There are a variety of variables in this situation.  For example, you haven't seen your father for more than a year, yet you are still driving his car and he has been paying for your health insurance.  Does this mean you are a minor and incapable of providing for yourself?  Were these things required he provide you by court order?  If so, he may be required to provide certain things to you by law and/or court order.

If you are an adult, I would suggest that you (1) get your own health insurance, (2) get your own car, and (3) don't talk to him if you do not want to.  If you tell him not to call you and he continues to do so, you can change your phone number.

If a court order is in play, you and he need to abide by it.

Of course, none of this is legal advice.  You should contact an attorney for advice.

If a cop tells me to stop speaking spanish do I have to listen? Can he arrest me for not obeying his order?

Asked by Wondering over 10 years ago

It depends on the situation.