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 feel about "safety checks" where a police agency might set up a road block to stop random cars and ask them to produce registration and insurance cards? Isn't the real purpose of these roadblocks to fish for alcohol/drug smells from cars?

Asked by Rndballref almost 13 years ago

Saftey checkpoints are a useful tool for helping to reduce drunk driving, accidents, and removing criminals from the roadways.  Driving on public roadways is a licensed privledge, not a right, and therefore is subject to limited intrusion.  The specific rules on how they are to be run vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and are controled by law, court opinions and department policies.

When adequately staffed so undue delays are not generated, I have no problem with them.  

Also, is there anything that can be done about my tire getting slashed? Will it be looked into anymore than when the officer was on the scene, or am I just SOL? I suspect it may have been my neighbor, but didnt witness her do it... thanx again!

Asked by SingleMama almost 13 years ago

If no evidence exists, and no witnesses have presented themselves, then what additional actions would you suggest the officers take (within the confines of the law)?  Maybe your neighbor did it, maybe she did not.  People should never be arrested for "maybe."  

IF you neighbor damaged your tires, and IF she admitted to tampering with your mail, it sounds like your best bet is to file a report with the postal police and see if they develop probable cause to arrest her.  IF they do, then her probation can be revoked also.  

It won't likely keep her in jail for very long, regardless.

I have a young son interested in becoming an officer. What are some of the steps I can take as a mom to point him in the right direction?

Asked by sweetbutsassy over 11 years ago

Keep him in school. Ensure he learns self discipline. Get him involved in things like Boy Scouts and martial arts. Teach him about the Constitution and what the underlying principles of freedom are.

It sounds like you are a concerned mother, and that goes a long way to ensuring he is on the right track.

When an officer gets a report of underage drinking at a California public beach, does that give the policy enforcer "reasonable suspicion or probable cause" to investigate and conduct a search? (keep in mind its midnight, although closes at 3am..)

Asked by I'm 19 over 12 years ago

Reasonable suspicion and probable cause are built by the totality of the circumstances, which may include a citizen complaint.  It is impossible for me to tell you how the officers in your case established either since I was not there and I am not privy to the details of the investigation.

My friend's family called the police on her boyfriend for physical abuse. But when the police tried to ask her questions she didnt say anything. What I wanna know would that go on his criminal record even if there wasnt a follow through investigation

Asked by Anonymous almost 13 years ago

If no arrest was made, then there is no arrest record (at least regarding this incident.)  Without the victim's cooperation, the officers probably were not able to establish probable cause to make an arrest.

I am not explaining this clearly

Traveling northbound through a green

Make a left going westbound

Facing a red light in the median which is 100 foot long.

You don't need to clear the median given it is 100 feet

Can a driver proceed.

Asked by Peter s over 12 years ago

I'm sorry, but I'm not clear on the description of the intersection.  My previous answer is based on a standard cross-type intersection.  I'd have to see the intersection and know the laws of your state to give you my opinion (which has no bearing on anything, mind you - for that, contact an attorney.)

But, if you enter the intersection on anything other than a green, then you are likely violating the laws of your state.  If you enter on a green, it is going to depend on the circumstances and how the laws are written.

what if a 13 year old girl ran away and she got caught how long would she have to be in juvenile?

Asked by Hailey over 12 years ago

It depends on how the judge applies the laws of your state.  There is no set answer, and much of the judge's decision will be based on the circumstances and history of the child.