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.
It depends on what state the story happens in. Murder is a state level offense in most cases, so there is no real uniformity from state to state. In many states, a life term with some opportunity for parole later in life is the maximum sentence.
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Depends. If you keep them all handy having them already isn't a bad idea. If you are going to have to dig for them, leave them where they are and when the officer asks for them, explain what you are doing. For example, "Officer, my registration is in my glove box. Is it ok to reach in there and grab it?" It just lets him or her know what you are doing and prevents any unexpected movement.
When in doubt, just sit tight and ask the officer to tell you what he or she would like for you to do. It is a courtesy that can help reduce the tension. The officer doesn't know who you are - good citizen or murderous fugitive - when he or she stops you.
Politeness and helping to reduce the tension have even been known to change a ticket into a warning. :)
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Different departments have different regulations regarding tattoos. Many have in place policies prohibiting visible tattoos, while others have policies about the kinds or locations of tattoos (nothing obscene, nothing on the face or neck, etc.) The more visible tattoos you have, the fewer agencies that will employ you. Something under your shirt, on your back, etc. will not hurt you.
Being a member of the US Navy Reserve will greatly enhance your application and overall success in a law enforcement agency.
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For specific questions of law, you should contact an attorney in your jurisdiction.
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Security / Bodyguard
Have you ever had to disarm an attacker?
Personal Injury Lawyer
How do I get out of jury duty?
EMT
What was the most gruesome trauma you witnessed while on the job?
The impacts have been studied by many researchers for several decades. The influence of the job on the personal life is significant, and few people are really prepared for it.
Many friends, and even some family, will no longer associate with the new police officer because of the job. The officer's spouse and other family will live in fear that this shift could be the one where the officer is killed or horrifically injured. The officer is confornted by violence, death and evil every shift and begins to worry constantly about the safety of his/her family and loved ones.
It is a high-stress job and you are never really "off duty." Officers with a very strong faith and solid family support tend to fare better than others, but the job has a very strong impact on all relationships, the health of the officer and every other aspect of the officer's life.
You may have heard that officers have high divorce rates and high instances of alcohol abuse. One of the dirty secrets of police work is a relatively high incidence of suicide as well. All of these things obviously impact the family in a severe way.
There is a lot of research out there, but here are a few places to look:
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/163175.pdf
http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1218&context=honors
http://www.policechiefmagazine.org/magazine/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_arch&article_id=120&issue_id=102003
http://www.emich.edu/cerns/downloads/papers/PoliceStaff/Shift%20Work,%20%20Stress,%20%20Wellness/Police%20Stress%20and%20the%20Effects%20on%20the%20Family.pdf
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It depends on the laws of the state. In many states, a retired officer has citizen's arrest authority. If you believe his/her behavior is abusive, contact the local law enforcement agency and file a complaint.
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I'm guessing this is a rhetorical question.
There is a lot going on in this country that I don't agree with. Arresting people for peaceably assembling or for exercising their freedom of speech in public is unconscionable. All law enforcement officers have taken an oath, which includes upholding the Constitution. Any law enforcement officer who violates his or her oath should be held accountable.
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