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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615 Questions

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Last Answer on October 29, 2014

Best Rated

When do you call in SWAT?

Asked by XatosfX about 12 years ago

There are different protocols for each agency, but in general for situations in which their specialized skills and equipment can more safely resolve an incident.  

My husband was stopped last night for speeding, cop asked him to do sobriety tests.He was under arrest for suspicion of DUI. Did field sobriety test, which he passed. He blew.08. But he didn't speed. Can we get DUI thrown out with a false stop?

Asked by chopsitter almost 13 years ago

Sounds like you need to talk to an attorney.  You probably wouldn't like my advice.

I was wondering is there a way to be a police k9 trainer without being an actual police officer? I work and volunteer with dogs part time but I would love to train dogs the police but I am not sure if the only way is to become a police officer first

Asked by Alessandro Ferri almost 12 years ago

Maybe. Consider, however, that your lack of experience may have an impact on your credibility both with the agencies you are providing training to and to the courts when you and they are sued for wrongful use of force. (Yes - even when you do everything correctly, you will get sued and have to defend yourself in court.)

From the perspective of a police officer, does it worry you or calm you to know that some citizens can legally carry firearms? Sure, they can help stop a shooting before the police show up, but should ordinary citizens have the power to end a life?

Asked by Hello over 12 years ago

Yes - Every citizen is entitled to self-defense, including the use of deadly force when they are in reasonable fear for their life or the life of another person.  What difference does it make if they use a firearm, knife, baseball bat or their own hands/feet?  The difference is that the weak can defend themselves from stronger, younger predators.  No law abiding citizen should be disbarred the use of arms for the defense of themselves and their family.

Hi I want to get a family member out of my house because she is creating problems in my relationship with my husband but she doesn't want to leave.

Asked by julliana about 12 years ago

Contact your local depaerment and inquire about forcing her to leave. States vary on the requirements regarding residency and tenant-landlord issues.

(Background for my last question regarding education and how you value it): You previously said that you think an Ivy league degree shows someone who can't be trusted to handle PD money properly. Also, assume that this person had a full scholarship)

Asked by ROB about 12 years ago

Education and college degrees are not the same thing.  Education is highly valued and has little to do with college.  A college degree is an expensive piece of paper that shows you stuck around long enough to get one.  I guess that could be called determination, but I'd much rather hire the guy who showed determination by humped a pack up and down mountains in Afghanistan, rescued idiot boaters as a Coastie or worked the catapult on a carrier for 12+ hours/day.  Those folks have learned hard lessons and know how to make sensible decisions under pressure.

If Uncle Sam paid your way via ROTC, that is a reasonable approach.  Assuming you are active duty upon graduation, you have a paid-for degree and a real education.  If you instead dropped $100k+ at Yale to get a $40-50k/year job as a cop - well, I'd question your reasoning and problem solving skills.  Even more if you went into debt to do it.

All other things being equal, a college degree is better on the application than not having one.  But, all things are not equal.  Few colleges teach anything about real life.  Take a look at the professors in economics and business schools, for example.  How many of them have run a successful business?  How many of the law school professors have spent any time in a courtroom?  

The sad reality is that college is a black hole in which money disappears, but little is returned for it.  

im 18 and i moved out without telling my mom or dad can they call the cops and say im a missing person

Asked by maria over 12 years ago

Yes.