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 an Off Duty Police Officer who is out of his jurisdiction come to my place of residency with my landlord as her witness to serve an eviction without giving me his full name and Police Prescient he is offiliated with??

Asked by Melissa about 12 years ago

If the officer is acting as a police officer and provided his or her name (Officer Smith or whatever) and that the department he or she works for, that may be all of the information he or she is obligated to provide.  A specific zone, precinct, or other information may not be required.

If the officer is acting as an employee of the property owner, and not as a representative of the city/county/whatever, he or she may not even need to provide that.

I have a young son interested in becoming an officer. What are some of the steps I can take as a mom to point him in the right direction?

Asked by sweetbutsassy about 11 years ago

Keep him in school. Ensure he learns self discipline. Get him involved in things like Boy Scouts and martial arts. Teach him about the Constitution and what the underlying principles of freedom are.

It sounds like you are a concerned mother, and that goes a long way to ensuring he is on the right track.

Does a Detective typically drive a police car or does he/she have another type of unmarked car they drive around? Thank You

Asked by edwurd over 11 years ago

A detective will generall drive an unmarked car provided by the agency.  The type of vehicle varies greatly.  I've seen everything from a Prius to a Mustang.  Most departments will go with a domestic sedan, though that is not always the case.  Sometimes the detective's job will dictate the need for a different kind of car.  For example, a narcotics officer will not be driving a Crown Vic.  Sometimes a vehicle might be seized through civil forfeiture and be used by detectives.  Unless you think the car is integral to the story go with a Ford Taurus or Chevy Impala.

How involved is a police chief in individual cases? Do police chiefs participate in raids or investigations? Is a police chief contacted for cases when they happen? Are they present at crime scene investigations?

Asked by Writer23 about 12 years ago

It depends on the size of the department.  For any agency of more than about 15-20 officers, the chief is not likely to be involved in any case other than as a spokesperson in a high-profile incident.

For small agencies, a chief may patrol and handle calls like the rest of the officers.  There are many departments in the US where there are fewer than five officers.  In those areas, the chief handles a lot of the calls and investigations.

what is the Colorado statue, or what do you know to be law for an officer receiving a citizens arrest. Everything I read said I can make the arrest but where is your authority to "have to receive"

Asked by MH over 12 years ago

I'm not familiar with Colorado law in that respect.  If you call the local Sheriff's Department, they should be able to tell you.

Do detectives participate in raids? If so, when?

Asked by Writer23 about 12 years ago

Detectives can participate in a warrant service, and frequently do.

A high risk warrant service is usually handled by a SWAT team, which can have detectives on the team.  Once the scene is secure, non-SWAT officers/detectives will frequently be responsible for the securing and documenting of evidence.

if you try to steal something and the girl that works there sees you and you put it back with out leaving with it can you get in trouble( just asking never did it)

Asked by emily dumont about 12 years ago

It depends on the laws of the state, but generally attempting to commit a crime is punishable as if you completed the crime itself.  Based on your scenario, the only reason why the item was not stolen was the clerk saw the theft taking place and the thief put the item back.  The intent to commit a theft existed, and the thief took an action to commit the crime, so in many jurisdictions it would be a criminal act (attempted theft or something similar.)

Consider the guy who runs into the liquor store to rob it.  As he begins to demand money, the store clerk pulls out a gun and the robber flees.  The robber did not succeed in the crime, but intended to rob the clerk and took some action to commit the crime.  Therefore, the attempted robbery could be prosecuted.

I hope that makes sense, and these things vary from state to state depending on the laws of each.