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 just started dating an officer. After 4 dates he wants my last name, race, and asked if I am up late at night. Not your usual question I'm sure, but what comes to mind is that he is trying to look me up. What are your thoughts?

Asked by ccmot almost 12 years ago

There is no way for me to know why he has asked these things.  However, these are my immediate thoughts:

1.  I'd find it really odd if I had been on four dates with someone and did not know their last name.

2.  It would be really odd if I had been on four dates with someone and wasn't able to figure out her race.

3.  What time of day you are up has nothing to do with checking someone's background or history.

4.  If you are uncomfortable with the guy, consider dumping him and moving on.

Thanks for the answer. So as far as being highly prepared for a life-threatening incident like the ones I mentioned, how can this be done? (I guess owning a gun would be on the list, but what are some other things?) Thanks.

Asked by 342or almost 12 years ago

Criminals are generally lazy.  So, to reduce the chances of a criminal breaking into your home, make things more difficult for them.  Consider things like

- good locks, door and windows

- a security system

- a camera system

- good night time lighting

- trimming back overgrown landscaping that can help conceal them

- own a large dog (or two)

Of course, all of these things are merely persuasive in nature.  A determined criminal won't care about any of them and will still attempt to break in and harm you.  In that case, having a plan and means to protect yourself and your family is needed.  That might include a firearm - but that is a personal decision.

If you own or are thinking about owning a gun for self-defense, get training.  A local concealed weapon class is not training.  Good training will generally run two days or longer and will give you the basic skills needed to use a firearm under extremely stressful conditions.  

There are a variety of trainers out there that can help such as Paul Carlson http://www.safetysolutionsacademy.com/ , Grant Cunningham http://www.personalsecurity.us/ , and Massad Ayoob http://massadayoobgroup.com/ .

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 11 years ago

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

Can a correctional officer marry someone who went to jail years ago in there past, completed their probation and restitution fine? I used to live with her for 2 yrs while she was on probation. Her past did not affect my hiring process.

Asked by Paris about 12 years ago

There is no law against it that I am aware of.  You should check with your department regs if you are worried about your job.

Do officers always radio when they show up somewhere? If a bunch of officers are showing up at a scene and there is a lot of talk on the radio over a situation that is developing quickly, will units arriving wait until later to report their arrival?

Asked by Job over 12 years ago

Yes, any time an officer arrives at the scene of a call, makes a traffic stop, rolls up on an undispatched incident, or does pretty much anything, he/she calls it in on the radio.  It is a safety issue.  Most patrol cars have GPS and are constantly tracked by dispatch also.

Is it true that a Police Officers must be tasered and/or pepper sprayed before graduating the police academy?

Asked by Lucas almost 12 years ago

Yes.

My friend found a bullet hole on his car. I keep telling him to call the cop but he says that the cops won't do anything. What should I tell him?

Asked by dan over 11 years ago

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