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 am writing a screenplay and I have a few questions:

1. Can a suspect of a murder case that took place 4 years earlier, look at the crime scene photos & the crime scene evidence?

Thanks in advance

Asked by Edwurd over 11 years ago

If the case is still open (unsolved), no.  A detective may show some piece of evidence or a photo of the crime scene to the suspect during an interview to get some type of response or information about the crime.  Other than that, no one outside of the officers working the case, medical examiner and prosecutor are looking at the evidence.

Why are cops rarely held criminally responsible for police brutality?

Asked by Shannon R over 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.

Does a police station have an onsite medical person like a Nurse in the building?

Thanks

Asked by Edwurd over 11 years ago

Not usually.  A medium to large size jail will typically have medical staff on duty, however.

is there a grace period in pa for expired inspection stickers? My registration is up to date but I cant get my car inspected until october 3rd and it expired september 30

Asked by deejay about 11 years ago

No idea.

I have a friend that has 2 warrants on file in TN. One for failure to pay fines for dui and the other a violation of probation. The warrants are only for TN, so when he was checked here in FL they don't come up. Could there ever be a way to send h

Asked by Bugette about 12 years ago

I'm afraid your question cut off, can you try the question part again?

Are the police that respond to 911 calls usually patrolling before they are called to a scene, or do they sometimes leave from the police station like firefighters do?

I'm assuming that smaller departments might do the second one more often?

Asked by Roger over 11 years ago

Officers respond from whereever they are at the moment.  They might be eating lunch, driving down the street or submitting evidence at the department.  They do not sit around at the PD like the firefighters do.

My daughter's friend has been staying with us. She says her mom and brother are abusive and hate her. Her mom tells her she doesn't want to talk to her. Now her mom is coming to get her. I love her being here with us. She is safe and loved. Can I ssn

Asked by mandy over 11 years ago

You want to be extremely careful when getting involved in other people's affairs.  You are only getting one side of things, and she is probably not giving you the entire story.  

If you honestly believe that her mother is abusive, then call the police.  If, on the other hand, you think that it is just a case of a teen who doesn't want to follow house rules, then do not call the police.

You certainly cannot keep her from her mother.