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

What can I do about my soon to be ex husband selling my personal property without telling or asking me first?

Asked by Chyna Stuart almost 12 years ago

Talk to your divorce attorney.

Can shoplifting a candy bar at 14 prevent me from becoming an officer? I am now 25, I have dual degrees in economics and biochemistry and I am entering my third year of service in the Air force. I haven't been in any other legal troubles.

Asked by John about 12 years ago

It should not be a major issue.  Make sure you are honest about the incident when applying.  Any attempt to conceal or minimize the incident will indicate a lack of honesty.  Questions about honesty will absolutely destroy your shot at being hired.

I just started dating an officer. After 4 dates he wants my last name, race, and asked if I am up late at night. Not your usual question I'm sure, but what comes to mind is that he is trying to look me up. What are your thoughts?

Asked by ccmot almost 12 years ago

There is no way for me to know why he has asked these things.  However, these are my immediate thoughts:

1.  I'd find it really odd if I had been on four dates with someone and did not know their last name.

2.  It would be really odd if I had been on four dates with someone and wasn't able to figure out her race.

3.  What time of day you are up has nothing to do with checking someone's background or history.

4.  If you are uncomfortable with the guy, consider dumping him and moving on.

Can a correctional officer marry someone who went to jail years ago in there past, completed their probation and restitution fine? I used to live with her for 2 yrs while she was on probation. Her past did not affect my hiring process.

Asked by Paris about 12 years ago

There is no law against it that I am aware of.  You should check with your department regs if you are worried about your job.

Thanks for the answer. So as far as being highly prepared for a life-threatening incident like the ones I mentioned, how can this be done? (I guess owning a gun would be on the list, but what are some other things?) Thanks.

Asked by 342or almost 12 years ago

Criminals are generally lazy.  So, to reduce the chances of a criminal breaking into your home, make things more difficult for them.  Consider things like

- good locks, door and windows

- a security system

- a camera system

- good night time lighting

- trimming back overgrown landscaping that can help conceal them

- own a large dog (or two)

Of course, all of these things are merely persuasive in nature.  A determined criminal won't care about any of them and will still attempt to break in and harm you.  In that case, having a plan and means to protect yourself and your family is needed.  That might include a firearm - but that is a personal decision.

If you own or are thinking about owning a gun for self-defense, get training.  A local concealed weapon class is not training.  Good training will generally run two days or longer and will give you the basic skills needed to use a firearm under extremely stressful conditions.  

There are a variety of trainers out there that can help such as Paul Carlson http://www.safetysolutionsacademy.com/ , Grant Cunningham http://www.personalsecurity.us/ , and Massad Ayoob http://massadayoobgroup.com/ .

I gave a neighborhood boy a ride to the mall. When I reached my destination my phone had been removed from my bag on the back floor behind the drivers seat. Is there any recourse I can take toward the boy. He and I were the only ones in the car.

Asked by Barbara over 11 years ago

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

Are the police taught to try and arrest armed criminals away from the public at all costs? For example, say the police have tracked a dangerous fugitive to a restaurant, would they wait until he leaves the restaurant to arrest him, or go right in?

Asked by Sam I about 12 years ago

Officers are trained to protect the public.  Each incident is differerent, and the risk to the public could be greater by allowing him to leave the restaurant.  For example, what if he is parked by the front door and has a bomb in the vehicle?  It might be safer to take him down inside.

There is no way to control a situation and completely protect the public.  That is an unrealistic, but common, view.  Officers will take reasonable actions based on the information they have at the time.