Ask a Police Officer anything

615 Questions

Last Answer on October 29, 2014

Can someone be stopped by a police officer just for looking suspicious? Not race or anything. Let's say a guy tries to avoid eye contact with you when you're patrolling in a police car. Can he be stopped for questioning? Can he be followed?

Asked by Red over 11 years ago

If a police officer can develop reasonable, articulable suspicion that you are involved in criminal activity, you can be detained. You are not free to leave in this case.

Any police officer can walk up and start talking to you, including asking for ID, without any articulable suspicion. However, you are free to leave in this circumstance.

If you want to leave, and don't know if you are able to, politely ask the officer if you may leave. He or she will let you know.

816 Votes

What can I do legally so my mother in law and her family stops posting pictures on facebook without my consent?

Asked by Wilma over 12 years ago

Sounds like a civil issue with no criminal aspect. Call an attorney for advice on a civil remedy.

816 Votes

My husband is going to court next week for his 5th oui arrest. We are in MA, he did not take the breathalizer and his defense is vertigo, and poor police work. If the jury does notknow about prior arrests/ jail time,how likely will he be convicted

Asked by tortured wife over 12 years ago

It would appear that your husband has a serious addiction, and is not taking responsibility for his actions. Hopefully he hasn't killed or maimed anyone yet, and will not have to opportunity to do so in the future.

Ask his attorney for legal advice, not me.

815 Votes

Does a police officer have the authority to decide not to give someone a ticket for a traffic violation and instead give them a warning with the hope that the offender will appreciate it and take the message?

Asked by In over 11 years ago

Generally, yes. Some departments may have policies that restrict the use of discretion.

815 Votes

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Are big city police stations more likely to be smaller than suburban stations? Because in the NYPD for example, there are many of them, so they can spread units out. Whereas a suburb has to have all its units working in a few or one station.

Asked by Ryan almost 12 years ago

It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. There are no rules, and I doubt anyone can make any accurate generalizations.

814 Votes

Hi I'm in college pursuing my criminal justice degree but I'm worried about getting hired because I used to smoke marijuana and tried ecstasy and cocaine once in high school, does that automatically disqualify me?

Asked by Jessica over 12 years ago

Depends on the department. Cocaine and ecstacy are serious drugs and can have serious long-term consequences on your brain. I would suggest contacting the department(s) you are insterested in applying to and speak to one of the recruiters about your situation. Any department would require a long interval (several years at least) between hiring and your last use of the drug.

813 Votes

if a crime was committed early in 2012 can a person still be charged with that same crime a year afterwards

Asked by monalisa about 12 years ago

Probably - It depends on the crime and the laws of your state.

812 Votes

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Police Officer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Can someone be stopped by a police officer just for looking suspicious? Not race or anything. Let's say a guy tries to avoid eye contact with you when you're patrolling in a police car. Can he be stopped for questioning? Can he be followed?

What can I do legally so my mother in law and her family stops posting pictures on facebook without my consent?

My husband is going to court next week for his 5th oui arrest. We are in MA, he did not take the breathalizer and his defense is vertigo, and poor police work. If the jury does notknow about prior arrests/ jail time,how likely will he be convicted

Does a police officer have the authority to decide not to give someone a ticket for a traffic violation and instead give them a warning with the hope that the offender will appreciate it and take the message?

Also on Jobstr...

Are big city police stations more likely to be smaller than suburban stations? Because in the NYPD for example, there are many of them, so they can spread units out. Whereas a suburb has to have all its units working in a few or one station.

Hi I'm in college pursuing my criminal justice degree but I'm worried about getting hired because I used to smoke marijuana and tried ecstasy and cocaine once in high school, does that automatically disqualify me?

if a crime was committed early in 2012 can a person still be charged with that same crime a year afterwards

Police Officer

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Can someone be stopped by a police officer just for looking suspicious? Not race or anything. Let's say a guy tries to avoid eye contact with you when you're patrolling in a police car. Can he be stopped for questioning? Can he be followed?

What can I do legally so my mother in law and her family stops posting pictures on facebook without my consent?

My husband is going to court next week for his 5th oui arrest. We are in MA, he did not take the breathalizer and his defense is vertigo, and poor police work. If the jury does notknow about prior arrests/ jail time,how likely will he be convicted

Does a police officer have the authority to decide not to give someone a ticket for a traffic violation and instead give them a warning with the hope that the offender will appreciate it and take the message?

Also on Jobstr...

Are big city police stations more likely to be smaller than suburban stations? Because in the NYPD for example, there are many of them, so they can spread units out. Whereas a suburb has to have all its units working in a few or one station.

Hi I'm in college pursuing my criminal justice degree but I'm worried about getting hired because I used to smoke marijuana and tried ecstasy and cocaine once in high school, does that automatically disqualify me?

if a crime was committed early in 2012 can a person still be charged with that same crime a year afterwards

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