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

My dad sold all of my things that he bought for me 4 years ago without my permission. Can I file a police report against him?

Asked by Joshua Raketich almost 11 years ago

Maybe.  Are you an adult and can you show the property in dispute was clearly owned by you?  There are too many factors for me to make any kind of determination on what you might be able to do.  Why don't you got talk to a local police officer?

well my son is 14 i got him a dirt bike i live in nj west new york 07093 is it illigal for him to ride it at the park during summe

Asked by hector about 11 years ago

I don't know, but NY and NJ sure do like to tell people what to do.  It seems just living is either illegal or nearly taxed to death in those states.  You should probably check with the local jurisdiction.

Why are cops rarely held criminally responsible for police brutality?

Asked by Shannon R almost 11 years ago

An interesting, but loaded, question.

The term "police brutality" is a subjective one that is likely to inflame the conversation.  I'll presume that you are referring to the unlawful use of force, which is any time a police officer uses force - regardless of the perceived brutality - when it is not legally permissible.

Police officers are permitted to use that force which is reasonable during the performance of their duties.  Many people do not understand what is reasonable because they do not have the training in, or understanding of, the dynamics of a violent encounter.  I'd suggest looking at credible sources such as the Force Science Institute ( http://www.forcescience.org/ ) for a better understanding of the application of force.  Anything you've seen in the movies is likely crap, by the way.

For a better understanding of when officers may use force, a review of the case law is an excellent starting point.  Graham v. Connor [490 U.S. 386 (1989)] is typically cited as being the defining case regarding police use of force.  Although the case clarified a number of issues, the court essentially said that things were pretty clearly stated in their earlier decision in Tennessee v. Garner [471 U.S. 1 (1985)].  Both cases offer remarkably insightful opinions, and they should be read in full.  Summaries of the cases in Wikipedia and elsewhere fail to give the true scope and color of the opinions.

An additional problem with your question is the unstated assumption that there are frequent incidents of police officers unlawfully using force.  I believe the premise is false, and every credible study on police use of force I have seen shows that officers are very hesitant to use force.  In fact studies have shown that even when clearly justified, officers still are slow to use force.

Are there times when an officer unlawfully uses force and are not criminally prosecuted?  Sure.  There are a variety of reasons this may be true.  For example, the unlawful use of force may be charged at the federal level if the officer was acting under "color of law," or at the state level for the charge of battery (or similar).  Just like any other case, the prosecution must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused officer committed the crime and that he or she intended to commit the crime (mens rea).  Lacking the ability to prove those things, the prosecution will not proceed.

For how many days a Dog can sniff the smell left in the air. Eg a dead body is dragged through mud on a rainy day and its a rainy season. For how many days sniffer dogs can search

Asked by Jinu18 over 10 years ago

I don't know.  I did a lot of things as a cop, but I was never a K9 handler.

i just wanna ask you a quick question about something if you could help that would be so great

Asked by quan over 10 years ago

I can only answer questions when they are asked.

Are you getting paid to answer this Q&A, or volunteering? Also, have you seen the show Alaska State Troopers? My dad and I watch the show (he's OSHP), and every time he watches it, he tells me that he wants to lateral over there.

Asked by Joe almost 11 years ago

No, I am not paid to participate here.  I don't think I've seen the Alaska Satte Trooper show.  I tend to avoid cop programs.

I bought an iphone from a local store and and I want my money back I lost 500 dollars and the store owner told me to come back later and later and later and I'm tired of it every time an excuse and sometime even closed I had it with this 3w late

Asked by Jay about 11 years ago

I'm not sure if there is a question in there.  However, you have not described anything criminal.  Law enforcement does not investigate civil issues.