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

Another question is, can I report license number if I see somebody texting?

Also, when a person is driving in a poor manner (e.g. speeding and moving from lane to lane with no care of those around him/her).

Asked by Irene Judith Hernandez over 10 years ago

You can call. Please don't cause an accident by calling while driving to report someone else on their phone while driving.

When becoming a patrol officer what are some requirements you have to know/do before you are able to get a job as one?

Asked by Randi almost 11 years ago

Requirements vary from state to state and department to department.  Generally, you would need a GED or high school diploma, good driving record, and a clean criminal history.  Most departments will also require a physical fitness test, a polygraph, drug testing, a stable employment history, excellent references, a psychological evaluation, some form of IQ or mental abilities test, and a credit check.  Many departments also require an applicant to have two years of college (or more) or military service with an honorable discharge.  The minimum age for employment varies, but is normally 18 or 21 years old.  

In your experience (or in general) if a patrol officer calls for one backup officer for assistance (not a serious emergency), will that person come from another patrol area or will more than one officer patrol one area at the same time? Thanks.

Asked by 456 almost 11 years ago

In a smaller department, only one officer may be assigned to a specific area.  In that case, the back up officer will come from another area.  In medium or larger agencies, there may be two or more officers assigned to a specific area.  In that case the backup officer will probably come from inside that area.

I gave a neighborhood boy a ride to the mall. When I reached my destination my phone had been removed from my bag on the back floor behind the drivers seat. Is there any recourse I can take toward the boy. He and I were the only ones in the car.

Asked by Barbara over 10 years ago

Call your local police department and ask for their assistance. They will know what to do.

Hi i have a question my husband dropped his wallet full of money it had at least $900 and he had his ID in the wallet. Can the person whom took the wallet get in trouble?

Asked by Angela over 10 years ago

Yes. It is called theft.

In your experience are a lot of police officers former-military? If so, are they usually former enlisted or former officers?

Thanks.

Asked by Johan over 10 years ago

I'd say about 1/4 to 1/3 of the officers I have worked with are former military.  Of those about 90% were enlisted/NCOs.

How long of a meal break did you get during your career?

Asked by mike over 10 years ago

It varies from department to department.  One agency allowed for a 30 minute break, while another allowed for 45 minutes.  Of course, you were still subject to calls during these breaks.