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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

615 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on October 29, 2014

Best Rated

In movies and TV shows, many members of the mafia engage in crime with out being arrested. Is this a realistic picture? If so, what are the factors that keep police from arresting them for simply being members of a criminal organization?

Asked by Writer23 over 12 years ago

95% (or better) of the stuff you have learned about law enforcement in the movies or on TV is garbage.  Movies are written, directed and acted by people who have no experience or first hand knowledge of law enforcement or crime.  

Regardless of the type of crime - shoplifting to running a criminal enterprise - law enforcement officers can only arrest someone if probable cause exists.  If this burden of proof does not exist, no lawful arrest can be made.

can you join the police academy in year 11 and 12 or is that to young?

Asked by lozza over 12 years ago

I believe all states require a police officer to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED as an absolute minimum.  Most departments have more requirements than that (21+, college or military) to be employed.

I would suggest getting involved in the Explorers program at your local department.  It is perfect for someone who is still in high school.

i want to become a police officer but my family have been in jail can that have an affect on me ?

Asked by Michael Bover over 11 years ago

It can, but it depends on the circumstances.

Are there procedures in place that make it so if an officer is in trouble, they can say it on the radio without being blocked by less important use?

Asked by Asd almost 12 years ago

Yes.  There are multiple methods.

How come on "COPS" (a show filming real police officers), I rarely hear people being read their Miranda Rights? Is this what really happens, while scripted TV shows have what does not really happen? Thanks.

Asked by Jorge over 11 years ago

1. There are no "Miranda rights."2. An officer is not required to read you the Miranda warning because you have been arrested.3. COPS is edited. Boring things - such as reading someone a Miranda warning - are cut out.

Can someone go to jail for resisting arrest if it was found that the suspicion for why they were stopped in the first place was proven to be false?

Asked by Red over 11 years ago

Yes.

Is it unfair that NYPD cops make as little as $30,000 per year, whereas in my town there is a small PD where they each make more than $100,000 and the chief makes more than Ray Kelly? (Never violent crimes in my town. And its not because of them.)...

Asked by Student almost 12 years ago

Fair is a BS concept typically used by people who covet what other people have.  Life isn't fair.  Life is about choices.  

If a person wants to work for NYPD, they know what the job pays going into it.  If a potential applicant wants better pay, they will go elsewhere.  If the citizens of New York want the best possible people applying to be police officers then they will offer more competitive salaries.