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

I became aware of my husband drinking and driving. I have told him that when I am aware that he is doing this, I will report him (and his car license plate) to the police. He is in denial of his problem. Will I be taken seriously?

Asked by momof3 over 12 years ago

If you are asking will your husband take you seriously, I don't know.  Probably not.  It sounds like he has a lack of regard for the safety of himself and others.  Anything you say is unlikely to get him to change his behavior.

If you are asking will the police dispatcher take you seriously, of course they will.

I plan on pursuing in becoming a police officer, I have had juvenile offenses though. I committed a first degree armed robbery, was tried in juvenile court but I now have a sealed ADULT record somehow. Is this still possible for me?

Asked by Julian almost 12 years ago

I don't know what your state's laws may be in regard to this.  I would hope that most departments would not hire a convicted armed robber, but that's just me.

Which agency do you think wears the best uniform? I think OSHP, but I'm biased lol. But I will admit to being slightly jealous of the Texas State Troopers who wear those custom Stetson cowboy hats!

Asked by Joe about 12 years ago

Texas Rangers for non-patrol.  LAPD-type for patrol (though with two shoulder patches)

Are you getting paid to answer this Q&A, or volunteering? Also, have you seen the show Alaska State Troopers? My dad and I watch the show (he's OSHP), and every time he watches it, he tells me that he wants to lateral over there.

Asked by Joe about 12 years ago

No, I am not paid to participate here.  I don't think I've seen the Alaska Satte Trooper show.  I tend to avoid cop programs.

Hello, I was wondering if over a year ago while being broken up with I told my girlfriend I was gona stab myself and she called 911 and I willingly went to hospitol slept off my drunkines and went home if that would disqualify me from becoming a cop?

Asked by TCA almost 12 years ago

Probably.

Hi! I'm Vanessa and I was wondering if it is hard being a police officer

Asked by Vanessa almost 12 years ago

It can be.  Time away from the family, physical danger and dealing with other people's problems are just some of the downsides to the job.

Why are cops rarely held criminally responsible for police brutality?

Asked by Shannon R about 12 years ago

An interesting, but loaded, question.

The term "police brutality" is a subjective one that is likely to inflame the conversation.  I'll presume that you are referring to the unlawful use of force, which is any time a police officer uses force - regardless of the perceived brutality - when it is not legally permissible.

Police officers are permitted to use that force which is reasonable during the performance of their duties.  Many people do not understand what is reasonable because they do not have the training in, or understanding of, the dynamics of a violent encounter.  I'd suggest looking at credible sources such as the Force Science Institute ( http://www.forcescience.org/ ) for a better understanding of the application of force.  Anything you've seen in the movies is likely crap, by the way.

For a better understanding of when officers may use force, a review of the case law is an excellent starting point.  Graham v. Connor [490 U.S. 386 (1989)] is typically cited as being the defining case regarding police use of force.  Although the case clarified a number of issues, the court essentially said that things were pretty clearly stated in their earlier decision in Tennessee v. Garner [471 U.S. 1 (1985)].  Both cases offer remarkably insightful opinions, and they should be read in full.  Summaries of the cases in Wikipedia and elsewhere fail to give the true scope and color of the opinions.

An additional problem with your question is the unstated assumption that there are frequent incidents of police officers unlawfully using force.  I believe the premise is false, and every credible study on police use of force I have seen shows that officers are very hesitant to use force.  In fact studies have shown that even when clearly justified, officers still are slow to use force.

Are there times when an officer unlawfully uses force and are not criminally prosecuted?  Sure.  There are a variety of reasons this may be true.  For example, the unlawful use of force may be charged at the federal level if the officer was acting under "color of law," or at the state level for the charge of battery (or similar).  Just like any other case, the prosecution must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused officer committed the crime and that he or she intended to commit the crime (mens rea).  Lacking the ability to prove those things, the prosecution will not proceed.