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

When a police officer takes a civil service test to be promoted, does it take passing the test AND an appointment to the new rank, or is the test hard enough for anyone who passes it to reach a new rank?

Asked by Eagle about 11 years ago

No idea - I didn't work at one of those departments.

I would sincerely hope that people were not promoted based on a test score, but when you mix government and unions and there is rarely any room for common sense.  

Promotion should be based on ability.  Most tests are only analyzing a person's ability to memorize a set of facts.

Do most police departments in the US have a K9 unit? Or is it mainly the bigger cities?

Asked by Sam over 10 years ago

I think more than half do. Nearly all have access to one through mutual aid.

In the past when I've reported my neighbors to the local PD for things like noise and construction violations, they call back and say that they responded and found no violations. Sometimes I see the chief and the neighbor socializing and stuff. cont.

Asked by Jackson almost 11 years ago

I don't know why you would call the police for "noise and construction violations."  If the neighbor is playing the stereo too loud, I'll just walk over and talk to him.  If he is building something on his property that I don't like - well, that's my problem.  It is HIS property and he can do what he wants to with it.  Try talking to your neighbor and not calling the police for non-criminal matters.

i want to go back to my country. i come from kenya in africa. i want to go back but my mom doesnt have enough money

Asked by wema over 10 years ago

Ok. I hope you are not looking for someone to hand you a wad of money because you want something. That's not how life works.

how do i become a police officer? how long does it take? can anyone do it?

Asked by katelynn over 11 years ago

The best bet is to call your local police recruiter and talk to him or her about the specific requirements in your area.  Generally, you apply for the position, undergo a thorough background investigation, go through a series of mental, physical and medical tests and then complete academy training.

Is it unfair that NYPD cops make as little as $30,000 per year, whereas in my town there is a small PD where they each make more than $100,000 and the chief makes more than Ray Kelly? (Never violent crimes in my town. And its not because of them.)...

Asked by Student about 11 years ago

Fair is a BS concept typically used by people who covet what other people have.  Life isn't fair.  Life is about choices.  

If a person wants to work for NYPD, they know what the job pays going into it.  If a potential applicant wants better pay, they will go elsewhere.  If the citizens of New York want the best possible people applying to be police officers then they will offer more competitive salaries.  

I have just recently found out that a man that moved in to our neighborhood over a year ago is a convicted sex offender. Is it required for the police department to inform us somehow?

Asked by Concerned Dad almost 11 years ago

Probably not.  Laws vary from state to state, but law enforcement has no duty to protect you.  Law enforcement has a duty to provide general protection to a community, but not to individuals.  Most (all?) states provide a sex offender database online that you can access to check things for yourself.  For example, this is the one in Florida:  https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/