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

How do you become a K-9 officer? what can i do to prepare in highschool? is there any collage classes i am required to take?

Asked by Ann over 12 years ago

To be a K-9 handler you will need to be in great shape.  I daresay that handlers have to be in better shape than the average SWAT cop because they (the handler) is often running through the dark every night chasing his/her dog who is chasing a suspect.  Then the handler has to be able to fight once the suspect is located.  Imagine running three miles and then getting into a fight for your life.  You need a lot of cardio work to get ready for that.

I'd suggest being involved in sports and finding a local explorer unit to join would be the best two things to do now.  College classes are completely up to you.  Other than certain federal agencies, I'm not aware of any department that requires any specific major or classes in college.

In the police force, how do you value the following: experience (time), education, and someone's natural ability to do the job?

Asked by Josbtr about 12 years ago

I value them all.  If you are asking me to arbitrarily rank them in order of importance, I cannot.  What duty is the officer trying to perform?  Every task is different and requires varying degrees of each of the above.  Also time in grade does not equate to experience.  Also, experiences vary widely.  Are the experiences in roles as a trainer, investigator, narcotics officer, or what?  A highly educated homicide investigator with ten years of violent crime investigations may get his butt kicked the first night he rotates back to patrol and goes to a bar disturbance, while the two-year officer with nothing more than a high school diploma saves him.  There is no neat way of quantifying police officers.  

Are police officers trained in emergency vehicle driving as part of their academy training? Or are they only trained if they will be driving a police car?

Asked by Jet almost 12 years ago

I would imagine most states require police officers to receive emergency vehicle operation training in the academy.

Are there procedures that police officers use that are wrong according to their training (not "textbook" perfect) but are still used because they are more convenient and/or make more sense?

Asked by Jes almost 12 years ago

Nothing in reality is ever textbook perfect. There are too many variables in every investigation and interaction.  Also, criminals rarely cooperate.

are plastic knuckle iphone cases legal

Asked by willie over 12 years ago

That depends on your jurisdiction.  You should contact the local prosecutors office and ask them.

I'm a professional photographer currently a student at a University in San Francisco. I want to join a police force for a day or two and be embedded with them to capture how the officers conduct daily routine. How can I become embedded ?

Asked by ali over 11 years ago

Call your local police department and ask for their assistance. If they allow it, they will describe the process.

What happens if a police dog bites someone who is later found to be the wrong person?

Asked by Park about 12 years ago

All use of force, including a dog bite, is governed by federal and state law.  There can be civil and/or criminal repercussions for the unlawful application of force. Graham v. Connor (490 U.S. 386 (1989)) is a landmark case that is instructive on this issue. http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=490&invol=386