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

I'm attempting to write a book, I know, sorry; anyway could you tell me what happens when a dead body of a person is found. Which police force have jusisdiction; the police where the body is found or the police where they originally lived?

Asked by Michelle Pashley about 12 years ago

What happens depends on what happened.  For example, if an elderly person or someone suffering from a known medical condition is found dead inside their home, and there are no signs of criminal activity, a cursory investigation is done to document that information.

If a person is found dead in other circumstances, say with a gunshot wound or ligature marks, the situation is investigated as a homicide.  The results of the investigation could lead to a ruling of wrongful death/murder, suicide, accidental homicide, justified homicide, or undetermined cause of death.  Keep in mind these are all just generalities, and specific determinations vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Generally, the primary investigative agency will be the one where the body is located.  There are provisions in the law that would allow another agency to handle the investigation in certain circumstances.  For example, if a person was kidnapped in county A, was taken through county B, was killed in county C, and was dumped in county D, any of the jurisdictions where the crime took place (all four) could assume control of the investigation.  However, this is governed by state law (which varies) and common sense almost always applies.  For example, county B in the above case would not try to take control of the investigation.  Keep in mind that each state has its own set of laws that may be different that what I described.  Also, transporting someone across state lines during the commission of a crime can now involve two different sets of state laws plus federal law since it is an interstate crime.

If you can please email me the answer it would be greatly appreciated: thepausemenu@gmail.com

I live in TN. If I break a car window to rescue an animal inside on a really hot day how much trouble am I looking at?

Asked by Daniel over 12 years ago

You should contact a criminal defense attorney in that state.  Just because you see something as the "right" thing, doesn't mean there isn't the potential of having criminal charges filed against you.

What can I do legally so my mother in law and her family stops posting pictures on facebook without my consent?

Asked by Wilma over 12 years ago

Sounds like a civil issue with no criminal aspect.  Call an attorney for advice on a civil remedy.

If someone has an exceptionally prestigious education (i.e. Ivy League college degree), does that give them a better chance for getting into a PD and getting promoted? (Of course in addition to experience and good performance.)

Asked by Ryan over 11 years ago

Unlikely.  It would indicate to me that the person overspent on education and might be a poor steward of the department budget.

Can someone be stopped by a police officer just for looking suspicious? Not race or anything. Let's say a guy tries to avoid eye contact with you when you're patrolling in a police car. Can he be stopped for questioning? Can he be followed?

Asked by Red over 11 years ago

If a police officer can develop reasonable, articulable suspicion that you are involved in criminal activity, you can be detained.  You are not free to leave in this case.

Any police officer can walk up and start talking to you, including asking for ID, without any articulable suspicion.  However, you are free to leave in this circumstance.

If you want to leave, and don't know if you are able to, politely ask the officer if you may leave.  He or she will let you know.

if a crime was committed early in 2012 can a person still be charged with that same crime a year afterwards

Asked by monalisa about 12 years ago

Probably - It depends on the crime and the laws of your state.

In the beep test what is the expected score?

Asked by Jono almost 12 years ago

No idea - What's a 'beep test'?