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.
Your premise is incorrect. Just because someone is a suspect doesn't mean that you have to read the Miranda warning to him or her. As a police officer, I can talk to a lot of suspects, and usually will, without ever reading the Miranda warning to them and the statements are completely admissible.
If a suspect is in custody, and I am questioning them, then they need to voluntarily waive the rights enumerated in the Miranda warning. But, even if they do not waive their rights, or if I never read the warning to them, any spontaneous statements are still admissible.
If a suspect is not in custody, i might need to read the Miranda warning to them, but it is a wide, gray area that is interpreted by the courts based on the totality of the circumstances.
If I am questioning a subject who is under arrest or otherwise in a position where I would be required to read the Miranda warning, and the subject exercises his or her right not to talk to me, then any evidence that I coerce from the individual...and anything that develops from that including physical evidence that I would not have found anyway...would be inadmissible.
Keep in mind these are generalities, every case is different, there is more than 200 years of case law interpreting this area of the law in the United States, and I am not an attorney.
Also keep in mind that "Miranda rights" do not exist. You may understand this, but many people do not. The Miranda case did not grant any new rights to people. Rather it was an interpretation of the rights conferred by natural law and codified in the Bill of Rights. The Miranda warning is merely a procedural reading of some of the rights that the accused has.
Share Answer: 
I don't know what the DEA might be looking for, but I'd suggest a business degree or something else that has practical applications. Criminology degrees are useless.
You might want to talk with a DEA recruiter to see what they are looking for in an applicant.
Personally, I'd suggest 4+ years of military service, then college, then DEA. You will be a much better candidate for the position.
Share Answer: 
I've interviewed people at the department's main HQ many times. For serious felonies (rape, murder, etc.) an assigned detective would usually take over the investigation. For less serious crimes such as theft, counterfeiting, domestic violence, etc. usually the patrol officer would handle the interview.
A lot of criminals do incriminate themselves when they should probably shut up. I guess many of them figure they are smarter than everyone else, or that they can talk their way out of anything.
Share Answer: 
I'm always concerned that someone I have dealt with will try to find and hurt me. There are plenty of examples of that exact thing happening throughout the US. I even had someone try to do so once. They are back in prison, but have an upcoming release date. I do say that anyone who finds me better be ready for a fight though. I'm never unarmed, and the people around me are armed and trained as well.
Share Answer: 
Federal Lobbyist
What was the strangest lobbying request you've ever received?
Freelance Writer
How do you go about getting your first clients?
Professional Gamer
What's the longest playing gaming session you've ever had?
Outside of the TV shows, I've never seen a department use a psychic. I'm sure there are occasional incidents, but as a general rule, no.
Share Answer: 
At my department (a city agency) we frequently work with the surrounding cities and the sheriff's department on cases. We rarely have any problems, but you sometimes run into an idiot. I'm pretty sure that's the same in any job. We also work with agencies at the state level fairly frequently. I've rarely butted heads with anybody here either. For street cops, we don't deal with the feds too often. If you are in a specialized unit, it is more common. For example, our narcotics unit, gang unit, and detectives work with the feds on various cases. While I've never had any significant problems with any of the guys at the federal level, I have seen a greater tendency for their people to be a little too self-assured. I suspect that is from a lack of working the street. I've found the best investigators at the federal level started life as a street cop somewhere. Other officers at different departments may have different experiences.
Share Answer: 
Driving drunk to get someone to the hospital is a pretty ignorant move. You should just call 911 and have paramedics respond to you. By driving while intoxicated not only are you putting the injured party at greater risk, but also putting a lot of other people in danger.
Share Answer: 
-OR-
Login with Facebook (max 20 characters - letters, numbers, and underscores only. Note that your username is private, and you have the option to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
(A valid e-mail address is required. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.)
(min 5 characters)
By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to Jobstr.com’s Terms and Privacy Policy.
-OR-
Register with Facebook(Don't worry: you'll be able to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
Browse Jobs
Host a Q&A
Search
Submit Your Question
Host a Q&A
Last 7
