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

What courses, should I take in high school, to get into law enforcement?

Asked by Junior over 11 years ago

Talk to your guidance counselor on what options are available at your school.  You want to make sure you have a solid background in english, math and science.  Sports are also something you should be involved in.  If there is a law enforcement explorers unit in your area, you should check it out.

(Similar question) So after reading your other responses, you clearly oppose gun control. I get it. But just look at this:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/files/2012/12/mass-shooting-legally.jpg

(to be continued)

Asked by Hello over 11 years ago

Nice jpg on an opinion blog.  But there is no context to it, and it is therefore meaningless.

My dad sold all of my things that he bought for me 4 years ago without my permission. Can I file a police report against him?

Asked by Joshua Raketich over 11 years ago

Maybe.  Are you an adult and can you show the property in dispute was clearly owned by you?  There are too many factors for me to make any kind of determination on what you might be able to do.  Why don't you got talk to a local police officer?

Why are cops rarely held criminally responsible for police brutality?

Asked by Shannon R over 11 years ago

An interesting, but loaded, question.

The term "police brutality" is a subjective one that is likely to inflame the conversation.  I'll presume that you are referring to the unlawful use of force, which is any time a police officer uses force - regardless of the perceived brutality - when it is not legally permissible.

Police officers are permitted to use that force which is reasonable during the performance of their duties.  Many people do not understand what is reasonable because they do not have the training in, or understanding of, the dynamics of a violent encounter.  I'd suggest looking at credible sources such as the Force Science Institute ( http://www.forcescience.org/ ) for a better understanding of the application of force.  Anything you've seen in the movies is likely crap, by the way.

For a better understanding of when officers may use force, a review of the case law is an excellent starting point.  Graham v. Connor [490 U.S. 386 (1989)] is typically cited as being the defining case regarding police use of force.  Although the case clarified a number of issues, the court essentially said that things were pretty clearly stated in their earlier decision in Tennessee v. Garner [471 U.S. 1 (1985)].  Both cases offer remarkably insightful opinions, and they should be read in full.  Summaries of the cases in Wikipedia and elsewhere fail to give the true scope and color of the opinions.

An additional problem with your question is the unstated assumption that there are frequent incidents of police officers unlawfully using force.  I believe the premise is false, and every credible study on police use of force I have seen shows that officers are very hesitant to use force.  In fact studies have shown that even when clearly justified, officers still are slow to use force.

Are there times when an officer unlawfully uses force and are not criminally prosecuted?  Sure.  There are a variety of reasons this may be true.  For example, the unlawful use of force may be charged at the federal level if the officer was acting under "color of law," or at the state level for the charge of battery (or similar).  Just like any other case, the prosecution must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused officer committed the crime and that he or she intended to commit the crime (mens rea).  Lacking the ability to prove those things, the prosecution will not proceed.

What is it like for women in law enforcement? Are they taken seriously?

Asked by Aus about 11 years ago

Its the same as it is for everyone else. Show up and do your job; you'll be fine.

I am writing a screenplay and I have a few questions:

1. Can a suspect of a murder case that took place 4 years earlier, look at the crime scene photos & the crime scene evidence?

Thanks in advance

Asked by Edwurd over 11 years ago

If the case is still open (unsolved), no.  A detective may show some piece of evidence or a photo of the crime scene to the suspect during an interview to get some type of response or information about the crime.  Other than that, no one outside of the officers working the case, medical examiner and prosecutor are looking at the evidence.

if me and my man break up do i haved to give him the phone he gave me as a gift back????

Asked by britster almost 12 years ago

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/grammar-girl-quick-dirty-tips/id173429229?mt=2