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 young son interested in becoming an officer. What are some of the steps I can take as a mom to point him in the right direction?

Asked by sweetbutsassy over 11 years ago

Keep him in school. Ensure he learns self discipline. Get him involved in things like Boy Scouts and martial arts. Teach him about the Constitution and what the underlying principles of freedom are.

It sounds like you are a concerned mother, and that goes a long way to ensuring he is on the right track.

Can you track a criminal through messages with a cellular device to find out where they are at ?

Asked by Jy about 11 years ago

Yes.

I hit a car at a red light because I was bending down to get something out from under my feet. The cop that arrived did not give me a ticket but can he mail one with the report it 3 to 5 days?

Asked by andy over 11 years ago

Depends on the state. Sounds like you should get one.

He has been verbally hit by his stepdad before and choked. Many family members has tried to call DHR before and try to get him out of that house hold but it never works what should we do to help him?

Asked by Breanna over 12 years ago

If an investigation was conducted, it sounds like a lack of probable cause existed.  Probable cause is a legal burden that a law enforcement agency must meet before arresting someone.

Just because a parent hits a child does not mean the child is being abused.  Reasonable corporal punishment is legal in many cases.  

Strangulation is not likely to be considered reasonable.  If you witness violence, you should call the local law enforcement agency.

Even if the state was to remove him from the house, it is exceptionally unlikely he would be allowed to live with you.

How are officers assigned jobs? Is it just whoever's closest to the action or are skillsets considered?

Asked by Anonymous almost 12 years ago

Patrol officers are assigned to zones or beats.  These are specific geographic areas that the officer is responsible for.  A non-emergency call in that zone will be held for the zone officer to handle.  Emergency calls will typically fall to the officer assigned to that zone, or if he/she is unavailable, the next closest unit.  

Certain calls may be held for certain officers.  For example, a department with officers who receive specialized training in dealing with the mentally ill may dispatch one of those officers outside of his or her zone to handle an incident that involves someone who is mentally ill.  

I'm currently a poolee for the Marine Corps and I am in the process of choosing my MOS. I'm highly interested in being a part of law enforcement after my service and I was wondering if there is an MOS that would possibly give me an edge when applying

Asked by BPraze over 12 years ago

I do not have a military background, but it looks like the USMC has a variety of law enforcement related MOS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Marine_Corps_MOS#58_Military_Police_and_Corrections 

That said, I've worked with plenty of officers who were former miltary that did not have a MP background and they did very well in the hiring process.  At my last department, I worked with a former Marine who was an aircraft mechanic, another who was in motor transport and a third who was a machine gunner.  All were good cops.

If there is something specific that interests you, go for it.  If you have a solid service record and even manage to get yourself promoted, it will all work to your benefit when you apply for a civilian law enforcement job.

Remember your oath, stay safe & thanks for your service.

Just a follow up to last question.

Would you ticket an individual if you saw it?

Asked by Peter s over 12 years ago

If I understand the question correctly (entered on green, waited for traffic to clear to complete the turn, light turned red and then you cleared the intersection) - no.  But then, laws vary from place to place.