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

Hey, thanks for all the time you take to answer! You mentioned you avoid police shows? Is there any reason why? Also Is this a common thing in law enforcement?

Asked by Ali G about 12 years ago

When I did the job for 8-12 hours a day, I had no interest in watching more of it on the tv.  

Besides, the way the editors cut the reality shows like Cops up to make them fit between commercials is not realistic.  You only see a fraction of a case, say 10 minutes of something that took the officers hourse to resolve.  It might be exciting, but it builds a very unrealistic expecation in the public.

Oh, and about 95% of what you see in CSI is b.s.  I can't tell you how many times I had someone tell me to do something impossible that they saw in that show.

So why are they used instead of regular handcuffs?

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

Asked by Josbtr almost 12 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.

Hello Sir,

I am checking if a PND issued in a police station for Shoplifting is ever deleted from some ones record? COnsidering this is the only offence the person ever committed.

Asked by Question1 about 12 years ago

I have no idea what a PND is.

Generally, if you have ever been charged with a crime, then it is part of your official criminal history.

If you are under age, and run from the police what are the consequences?

Asked by jojo almost 12 years ago

From a legal perspective, a fine, probation or jail time are all possibilities.

In your department, how was the city divided up? (Districts, precincts, etc.) And what did those mean as far as how many stations there were in that area, who was in charge at the different levels, etc. Thank you!

Asked by Rob about 12 years ago

At one department, there were three patrol zones and only a single station.  A sergeant plus three or four officers were on duty at any given time. (Not including any specialty units.)

At a larger agency, there were six patrol zones with multiple officers assigned to each zone.  There were three "sector offices" plus the main station.  There were up to 24 patrol officers on the road.  Generally there were 2-3 sergeants on duty at any given time plus a lieutenant and possibly a captain depending on time of day/day of week.  Those staffing numbers did not include specialty units that might have also been working.  For example, three traffic units plus a sergeant, a gang unit plus sergeant, etc.

Is it considered disorderly conduct to wear a shirt with a curse word on it?

Asked by Kelli almost 12 years ago

Check your local laws.

Another question is, can I report license number if I see somebody texting?

Also, when a person is driving in a poor manner (e.g. speeding and moving from lane to lane with no care of those around him/her).

Asked by Irene Judith Hernandez over 11 years ago

You can call. Please don't cause an accident by calling while driving to report someone else on their phone while driving.