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

In the police force, how do you value the following: experience (time), education, and someone's natural ability to do the job?

Asked by Josbtr over 11 years ago

I value them all.  If you are asking me to arbitrarily rank them in order of importance, I cannot.  What duty is the officer trying to perform?  Every task is different and requires varying degrees of each of the above.  Also time in grade does not equate to experience.  Also, experiences vary widely.  Are the experiences in roles as a trainer, investigator, narcotics officer, or what?  A highly educated homicide investigator with ten years of violent crime investigations may get his butt kicked the first night he rotates back to patrol and goes to a bar disturbance, while the two-year officer with nothing more than a high school diploma saves him.  There is no neat way of quantifying police officers.  

um, how many years of college do you have to take to be a police men, or do you even have to take classes for it ?

Asked by kendra owens over 11 years ago

It depends on the agency.  Some departments require no college, while others might require a two or four year degree.  Read through the prior posts and you can get additional information on college and hiring.

What age can I leave my parents house without getting in legal trouble can I leave at17 ?

Asked by to pretty about 11 years ago

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

If while driving through the intersection a person's front wheels were past the stop line when the light turned red, is that breaking the traffic law (running a red light)?

Asked by RH over 11 years ago

It depends on the state's laws.  Some states yes, others no. Additionally, red light cameras typically operate under a different set of laws in each state.  The rules for mailing tickets may be substantially different from on view violaions observed by a police officer.  So, you may or may not get a ticket mailed to you.  I really dont know.  Call the police department in question if it is really bothering you.

In washington state legal age of consent is 16 but i read their is a 5 year rule ?, does this mean a 16 year old can legally date or engage in sexual activity with anyone from ages 16 to 21 legally and how old can they LEGALLY date if not?(5/27/14

Asked by jada over 11 years ago

I have no idea.  You should contact a police officer in the state of Washington about those laws.

So why are they used instead of regular handcuffs?

Also what's the difference between being detained and arrested?

Asked by Josbtr over 11 years ago

Disposable restraints tend to be lighter and more compact than metal chain or hinged handcuffs.  Depending on policy, an officer may choose to use them instead of traditional handcuffs for the weight and space savings.  Additionally, they can be used in a mass arrest situation since more of them can be carried by each officer.

There is a huge difference between being detained and arrested.  If you have been arrested, you are being charged with a specific crime and supported by probable cause.  If you are being detained, officers have established reasonable, articulable suspicion that you may have committed a crime and they are now investigating to see if a crime has been committed.

how can i report someone on the run from a warrant

Asked by brenda about 11 years ago

By phone is often the easiest for many people. Sometimes walking into the police station is easier.