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.
One of the functions of a police officer is to enforce traffic laws. So, while on patrol I would be looking for both criminal and traffic vioations. Since most criminals use a vehicle in some way (to get to a crime, to flee a crime, to move stolen property, etc.), making traffic stops will frequently result in the discovery of criminal activity.
I have made major felony cases by stopping people for relatively minor traffic infractions. Folks like Timothy McVeigh, Ted Bundy and others have all been located on traffic stops. I can't tell you how many terrorists, murderers, rapists and others have been arrested after a seemingly small traffic violation.
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Sometimes.
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First question - Absolutely. There are no prohibitions or requirements for any specific religion or absense thereof to be a police officer. Of course, any religious biases that prevent you from impartially and effectively enforcing the laws of your state should prevent you from pursuing a career in law enforcement. For example, if you believe sharia law trumps the laws of your state, you have no place in police work.
Second question - I sure hope rules are not changed to allow police officers to wear a hijab. Police officers are required to wear uniforms, and that means a standard way of dressing. Clothing visibly worn for religious purposes should not be part of a police officer's uniform. A law enforcement officer is expected to impartially enforce the law for all citizens, and when there is an obvious bias it undermines the public's trust in the officer and agency.
If you believe you should be able to wear a hijab at work, then law enforcement is not the job for you.
Keep in mind that the nature of law enforcement does not allow you to regularly take off holy days. This is the same for Christians have to work Easter, and Jews who work on Yom Kippur.
Faith is very important, and if your faith will cause you conflict in a law enforcement career, you might want to consider an alternative job path.
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I doubt there are very many auto parts that are illegal. What you do with them might be. For example, selling exhaust cutouts is legal. Running them on a street car is illegal. Running them on a track is legal.
Chances are any of the headlights in an autoparts store are legal for your area. If you have any doubts, contact your local department and talk to one of the traffic enforcement officers. He or she will be able to give you the exact information you are looking for.
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Obstetrician Gynecologist
Do you find it creepy when men want to go into gynecology?
Day Trader
What can a good day trader earn in a year?
Security / Bodyguard
Have you ever had to disarm an attacker?
(see second part of this question)
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Maybe not. If you have been convicted of certain crimes, there isn't much you can do about that. However, without any prior arrests or convictions, you may still be able to obtain employment as a police officer. A solid military record with an honorable discharge (staying in the active reserves is even better) will go a long way to showing you aren't the person that you may have been in the past. The longer the time space between criminal activity and when you apply is better. Also, holding a secret clearance shows you have previously passed a background check, which helps.
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If you go to work for a local police department, you will go to uniform patrol. It is there that you will learn a lot about the job and people. If you become really good at your job, you can earn your way into a specialized position. Some people are really good but enjoy patrol, so they stay in uniform.
When you first get to the department, you go through a field training & evaluation program that will help get you the very basic level of proficiency in doing the job.
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