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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

615 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on October 29, 2014

Best Rated

I just want to know the procudures that people go through to become a police officer? What kind of records do you guys look at? What about people that have a criminal record?

Asked by mauisheriff@gmail.com almost 12 years ago

The best bet is to contact the recruiter at the agency you are most interested in applying to.  He or she can give you the exact details of what they require.  

Every state and department is different.  There are some generallities.

A background check will be conducted to ascertain the general nature of your character, job history, military service, drug use, criminal history and financial history.  Depending on the department, an agency may interview your neighbors, former employers, former co-workers, relatives and other people with knowledge of your work ethic, demeanor and character.

Things like poor credit, large debt, unstable work history, etc. are not automatic disqualifiers, but they can be red flags.

Past criminal activity is a problem.  Felonies, domestic violence, DUIs and other crimes can be automatic disqualifiers.  Misdemeanor, non-violent crimes may not automatically disqualify you, but they are significant red flags.  Mitigating circumstances, the nature of the crime, and other factors can help.  (For example, you passed a bad check your freshman year in college at age 18.  You are now 28 years old, graduated college, have had a stable work history, and are an officer in the US Navy reserves.  Those factors will go a long way to show the prior criminal act was a one-time event.)

Hope that helps.

pt2. It was a Stalker Dual Radar device, I was traveling at 64, moving with the flow of traffic, I was being tailgated and boxed into the fast lane. The ticket was for 73 in a 55. Not denying speeding, But not pleading guilty to 73. Can i fight this?

Asked by Hilliary M. about 12 years ago

So, you were speeding, but you don't believe you were going as fast as the measuring device stated?  Sure you can fight it, but bring a checkbook: for your lawyer and/or clerk of court.

How do you know you were not going 73?  Have you calibrated your spedometer in the last six months?  

Assuming this is your first ticket (or perhaps the first in a long time) courts often have an option to plead nolo to a reduced charge coupled with a driver's improvement course.  Depending on the jurisdiction this might keep points off of your driving record, reduce the fine, etc.  Be sure to contact the court and/or a lawyer about that.

My neighbor, who I must add is currently on probation, admitted to me shes been recieving and opening my mail. there was a cop present responding BC both her & my tires had been slashed, & he did nothin. What can i do about this? Than!

Asked by SingleMama about 12 years ago

Tampering with the mail is a federal offense and the local officer does not have jurisdiction to enforce those laws.  Contact the US Post Office law enforcement division and file a report with them.  They can invesitgate that aspect of things and take whatever enforcement action is appropriate.

Regarding the slashed tires, what evidence do you have that she (or anyone specific) committed the crime?  Just because she may have done it, doesn't mean that the officer had probable cause (a legal burden of proof) to make an arrest for it.

I accidentally passed a school bus with it's stop sign out. I feel terrible about it. No cops were around? Can i still get ticketed? I've only had my license for 3 weeks. This would be my first offence.

Asked by Brad about 12 years ago

You will not likely get a ticket at this point.

I’m asking as a writer for a story. Would a report be made if Person A called about intruders being in their house when no one was home? This happened 2 times and the 2nd time the intruders were identified & names given to sheriff. Continued--

Asked by mjd about 12 years ago

(see below)

Does it matter median is 100 feet.

So northbound green light

Left to median westbound

Six lights in total. Two north south
Two in median east west
Two east west

Asked by Peter s almost 12 years ago

(see below)

Does part of your work involve patrolling areas and 'walking the beat' or is it mostly responding to calls from a station?

Asked by Ian about 12 years ago

Patrol - mostly in a patrol car.  I'm assigned a section of the city as a patrol zone and I am responsible for all calls that come into that area.  A portion of the time includes getting out on foot and walking through businesses, parks and apartment complexes, but most of my time is spent going from dispatched call to dispatched call via automobile.

No one really responds from the station (like a firefighter).  Sometimes you might be there for paperwork or submitting evidence and then get a call, but it isn't normal procedure.