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

In the past when I've reported my neighbors to the local PD for things like noise and construction violations, they call back and say that they responded and found no violations. Sometimes I see the chief and the neighbor socializing and stuff. cont.

Asked by Jackson almost 12 years ago

I don't know why you would call the police for "noise and construction violations."  If the neighbor is playing the stereo too loud, I'll just walk over and talk to him.  If he is building something on his property that I don't like - well, that's my problem.  It is HIS property and he can do what he wants to with it.  Try talking to your neighbor and not calling the police for non-criminal matters.

(Background for my last question regarding education and how you value it): You previously said that you think an Ivy league degree shows someone who can't be trusted to handle PD money properly. Also, assume that this person had a full scholarship)

Asked by ROB almost 12 years ago

Education and college degrees are not the same thing.  Education is highly valued and has little to do with college.  A college degree is an expensive piece of paper that shows you stuck around long enough to get one.  I guess that could be called determination, but I'd much rather hire the guy who showed determination by humped a pack up and down mountains in Afghanistan, rescued idiot boaters as a Coastie or worked the catapult on a carrier for 12+ hours/day.  Those folks have learned hard lessons and know how to make sensible decisions under pressure.

If Uncle Sam paid your way via ROTC, that is a reasonable approach.  Assuming you are active duty upon graduation, you have a paid-for degree and a real education.  If you instead dropped $100k+ at Yale to get a $40-50k/year job as a cop - well, I'd question your reasoning and problem solving skills.  Even more if you went into debt to do it.

All other things being equal, a college degree is better on the application than not having one.  But, all things are not equal.  Few colleges teach anything about real life.  Take a look at the professors in economics and business schools, for example.  How many of them have run a successful business?  How many of the law school professors have spent any time in a courtroom?  

The sad reality is that college is a black hole in which money disappears, but little is returned for it.  

Should a series of prank calls be reported to the police? (In this case I have the numbers of the callers.)

Asked by Jorge over 11 years ago

Call your local police department and ask for their assistance. They will know what to do.

I was wondering is there a way to be a police k9 trainer without being an actual police officer? I work and volunteer with dogs part time but I would love to train dogs the police but I am not sure if the only way is to become a police officer first

Asked by Alessandro Ferri over 11 years ago

Maybe. Consider, however, that your lack of experience may have an impact on your credibility both with the agencies you are providing training to and to the courts when you and they are sued for wrongful use of force. (Yes - even when you do everything correctly, you will get sued and have to defend yourself in court.)

Do most police departments in the US have a K9 unit? Or is it mainly the bigger cities?

Asked by Sam over 11 years ago

I think more than half do. Nearly all have access to one through mutual aid.

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

Asked by Michelle over 11 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.

i just wanna ask you a quick question about something if you could help that would be so great

Asked by quan over 11 years ago

I can only answer questions when they are asked.