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 have a sentry safe in my home that contained 2000dollars. The money was stolen which means the safe was broken into but there's no sign of it being broken into can the nypd come and dust for fingerprints

Asked by Sikeisha almost 13 years ago

They can, but there are a lot of variables that go into lifting useable prints.  There are no guarantees the officer(s) will be able to recover a print, but they can certainly try.

Can't help myself as I see your Q&A approach 100 answers(!) What's the single most common question you get when you tell people you're a cop?

Asked by Jobstr Dan over 13 years ago

Most frequent question: "Shoot anybody?"

The most annoying thing people do is loudly announce "I didn't do it!" when you walk into any store or business in uniform.  The folks making these announcements seem to think it is both original and funny.  What they don't realize is it is hardly original: I probably would hear it 10 times a day.  At that point it is about as funny as a toothache.

Is it more common for police cars to be manned by two officers or one? Are two-person police cars usually found in more dangerous areas? Thanks.

Asked by Jet about 12 years ago

The deployment of one or two officers to a car is largely dependent on the ingrained culture of the department.  Many years ago a study suggested officers were no less safe patroling solo as they are with a partner.  

When pulled over for a traffic stop, we know you need license, registration, and proof of insurance. Should I wait with my hands on the wheel until I am asked for these documents, or have them ready?

Asked by Mark Mitchell about 13 years ago

Depends.  If you keep them all handy having them already isn't a bad idea.  If you are going to have to dig for them, leave them where they are and when the officer asks for them, explain what you are doing.  For example, "Officer, my registration is in my glove box.  Is it ok to reach in there and grab it?"  It just lets him or her know what you are doing and prevents any unexpected movement.

When in doubt, just sit tight and ask the officer to tell you what he or she would like for you to do.  It is a courtesy that can help reduce the tension.  The officer doesn't know who you are - good citizen or murderous fugitive - when he or she stops you.  

Politeness and helping to reduce the tension have even been known to change a ticket into a warning. :)

I know the law states that airsoft weapons are required to have an orange tip. My question is this. My orange tip on my airsoft shotgun broke off. Can I use orange tape or paint the tip orange or will I still get in legal trouble?

Asked by Jon almost 13 years ago

There are no such laws in my state that require an orange tip.  But, I don't live in some of the overly restrictive states such as New York or California that might require such a silly thing.  You definitely should check with an attorney or local law enforcement if you are unsure of the laws in your state.

Update - It seems federal law requires anyone selling a toy gun to have an orange tip on it.  I don't know that there is anything at the federal law that requires you to replace or maintain the orange tip.  Again, local laws may be more restrictive due to the eagerness of politicians to criminalize all aspects of life.

Can I get in trouble if I have a backpack that is decorated with weed all over?

Asked by Santi.. over 13 years ago

Seriously, who writes these questions...?  If you want to have a backpack with images of marijuana all over it, knock yourself out.  I always like the folks who advertise their recreational activities.  

If you want to decorate your backpack with actual "weed all over," be my guest.  Depending on where you are in the world, that could be anything from completely legal to a capital offense (death penalty).  Laws inside the US vary, and unless the actual marijuana was significant in quantity, you are probably looking at a misdemeanor arrest.

 

Can estimated passing speed (over speed limit) be cited to ticket, without PO pacing car for a certain distance/time period. Say driver passed another car going 58 mph but then slowed down to 40 mph in a 40 mph speed zone. No radar involved.

Asked by Steve Davis almost 13 years ago

For specific questions of law, you should contact an attorney in your jurisdiction.