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

Do police check messages received by a person who has committed suicide and contact the senders?

Asked by Frank S. over 12 years ago

Depends on the circumstances.  Are you talking about letters, e-mails, text messages, Facebook posts, tweets...?  Under what circumstances did the death occur?  Is there some indication that the death was not self-inflicted?  There are a lot of variables that go into an investigation.

Can a cop who is "watching" me, talk to other civilians about the case?

Asked by bobby sue over 12 years ago

I don't know what you mean by "watching me."  If you are the subject of an investigation, then yes, the police will definitely talk to other people about you.

does an off duty officer have to show you a badge, and does an on duty officer in plain clothes have to show you a badge on top of saying on duty officer or off duty officer

Asked by bea over 12 years ago

In what context?  If an officer is taking enforcement action, then at a reasonable time he or she should identify him- or herself in a reasonable manner.  That will likely include a badge and ID card.

If someone knocks on your door and asks to speak with you it is certainly reasonable to request to see identification.  Call the local law enforcement agency and confirm the officer's identity if you have any doubts.

Asking an officer to show you his or her badge in the middle of a fight, chase or in the middle of some other dangerous situation might not be feasible.  It is all situationally dependent.  Unfortunately, everone looks for a simple black and white answer, but life's not that easy.  Reasonableness is the key to everything.

Are you allowed to lie about being a police officer if you're asked point-blank, like in an undercover sting or something?

Asked by Jax over 12 years ago

Yes.

If I am pull over by a police in the rural area of the city at night , is it okay to ask the officer to head to somewhere with more light before I hand them my ID or roll down the entire window?

Asked by E.L over 12 years ago

I'm not sure what you mean by "rural area of the city."  If you mean out in the country somewhere, how far would you expect to drive to find a lit area?  Don't expect a trooper to follow you for miles just to look for a well lit area.  

If you are in a city, you should probably pull into a parking lot/gas station whenever available to begin with.

You can ask an officer anything, but he/she doesn't have to agree to honor your request.

Can an off duty officer (in plain clothes) flash his badge and threaten to arrest you? (Verbal argument, nothing physical and no threats)

Asked by Eric over 12 years ago

State laws vary, but generally a police officer, on- or off-duty, can arrest someone if they have probable cause to believe a crime has been committed.  

Does the state trooper in Ohio state have the right to ask the immigration questions when somebody got pulled over for speeding? Is it legal to ask for the I.D of the Passengers in the car in ohio?

Asked by Peter Johnson over 12 years ago

I can't speak to the specifics of Ohio law, but generally yes and yes.