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 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.. about 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.

 

Could I be in trouble for owning a electric cigaret and under the age of 18 but does not contain nicotine ?

Asked by Jerammy almost 13 years ago

I have no idea what the laws of your jurisdiction may be.  Contact your local law enforcement agency.

How does being a police officer impact a workers personal and family life?

Asked by Megan almost 13 years ago

The impacts have been studied by many researchers for several decades.  The influence of the job on the personal life is significant, and few people are really prepared for it.  

Many friends, and even some family, will no longer associate with the new police officer because of the job.  The officer's spouse and other family will live in fear that this shift could be the one where the officer is killed or horrifically injured.  The officer is confornted by violence, death and evil every shift and begins to worry constantly about the safety of his/her family and loved ones.

It is a high-stress job and you are never really "off duty."  Officers with a very strong faith and solid family support tend to fare better than others, but the job has a very strong impact on all relationships, the health of the officer and every other aspect of the officer's life. 

You may have heard that officers have high divorce rates and high instances of alcohol abuse.  One of the dirty secrets of police work is a relatively high incidence of suicide as well.  All of these things obviously impact the family in a severe way.

There is a lot of research out there, but here are a few places to look:

 

https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/163175.pdf

http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1218&context=honors

http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=120&issue_id=102003

http://www.emich.edu/cerns/downloads/papers/PoliceStaff/Shift%20Work,%20%20Stress,%20%20Wellness/Police%20Stress%20and%20the%20Effects%20on%20the%20Family.pdf

If a person is arrested and has an animal in their vehicle, what is the protocol? Does it change based on breed (i.e; pit bull vs. teacup poodle?)

Asked by Ivan over 13 years ago

Policies vary depending on the department, but generally:

1.  If someone is there that the owner would like to take custody of the animal, they can.

2.  If no one is close at hand that the owner will allow to take the animal, the animal will be collected by whatever animal control organization is in the area.  Some jurisdictions this is operated by the government, in other areas it is contracted out to another organization.  Once the owner posts a bond, he or she can then go collect his or her animal.

If I'm currently 17 years old with a Provisional Drivers License (with restrictions AG) in Texas, is it legal for me to drive my little cousins home from school? (I have car-seats and they are 6 and 7 years old)

Asked by Revitalize almost 13 years ago

Contact the local Texas DPS or police department to explain your state's laws.

is it fun saving people lives

Asked by tayshaun king almost 13 years ago

It is gratifying to know you make a difference.