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 became aware of my husband drinking and driving. I have told him that when I am aware that he is doing this, I will report him (and his car license plate) to the police. He is in denial of his problem. Will I be taken seriously?

Asked by momof3 over 12 years ago

If you are asking will your husband take you seriously, I don't know.  Probably not.  It sounds like he has a lack of regard for the safety of himself and others.  Anything you say is unlikely to get him to change his behavior.

If you are asking will the police dispatcher take you seriously, of course they will.

Can I get into trouble or arrested for saying "fuck you" or "go fuck yourself" to a cop over the phone?

Asked by Neis about 12 years ago

It depends on the circumstances.

My friend was the designated driver, driving someone else's car. She was pulled over and given a ticket for impeding traffic because the brights were on without her knowledge. Can she fight this ticket and win?

Asked by Emily over 12 years ago

I don't know.  She should probably contact an attorney.

Hello Bluesheepdog,
My question is: if I see children in a vehicle at the parking lot, is that something I can report on the emergency line? I don't agree with it, but uncertain if it is a cause the police is concerned about.

Asked by Irene Judith Hernandez almost 12 years ago

If children are in danger, please call the emergency line.

So I see a lot of videos on YouTube that are recordings of police officers. Apparently this is legal. Would someone recording you make you a little uncomfortable even if you were acting according to the law? Thanks

Asked by In over 12 years ago

Never bothered me.  

I think I only had to say something to someone once who was recording me.  In that case a pedestrian had been struck by a car and was laying in the road.  The pedestrian was significantly injured.  Some idiot decided he wanted to film the injured person and me.  While distasteful, it isn't illegal.  However, when the cell phone video superstar was standing in the roadway blocking the ambulance crew from getting to the injured party, I was happy to escort him to the sidewalk.

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 over 12 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?

Why are cops rarely held criminally responsible for police brutality?

Asked by Shannon R over 12 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.