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

In the police force, how do you value the following: experience (time), education, and someone's natural ability to do the job?

Asked by Josbtr almost 12 years ago

I value them all.  If you are asking me to arbitrarily rank them in order of importance, I cannot.  What duty is the officer trying to perform?  Every task is different and requires varying degrees of each of the above.  Also time in grade does not equate to experience.  Also, experiences vary widely.  Are the experiences in roles as a trainer, investigator, narcotics officer, or what?  A highly educated homicide investigator with ten years of violent crime investigations may get his butt kicked the first night he rotates back to patrol and goes to a bar disturbance, while the two-year officer with nothing more than a high school diploma saves him.  There is no neat way of quantifying police officers.  

What happens if a police dog bites someone who is later found to be the wrong person?

Asked by Park almost 12 years ago

All use of force, including a dog bite, is governed by federal and state law.  There can be civil and/or criminal repercussions for the unlawful application of force. Graham v. Connor (490 U.S. 386 (1989)) is a landmark case that is instructive on this issue. http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=490&invol=386

Can a Individual be accepted into the Police Department if diagnose with Mild Autism (High Functioning) Ex. Able to Drive, Shoot, Communicate and in control.

Asked by Alden over 11 years ago

I don't know.  Contact the agency you are interested in and talk to their recruiter about your situation.

Is it possible to become a police officer with an Environmental Science degree?

Asked by Molly P over 11 years ago

Yes.

um, how many years of college do you have to take to be a police men, or do you even have to take classes for it ?

Asked by kendra owens over 11 years ago

It depends on the agency.  Some departments require no college, while others might require a two or four year degree.  Read through the prior posts and you can get additional information on college and hiring.

If while driving through the intersection a person's front wheels were past the stop line when the light turned red, is that breaking the traffic law (running a red light)?

Asked by RH almost 12 years ago

It depends on the state's laws.  Some states yes, others no. Additionally, red light cameras typically operate under a different set of laws in each state.  The rules for mailing tickets may be substantially different from on view violaions observed by a police officer.  So, you may or may not get a ticket mailed to you.  I really dont know.  Call the police department in question if it is really bothering you.

what classes do you need take to be a police officer? and what degree should you graduate with? also, what should your major be?

Asked by michael almost 12 years ago

I cover this information further up the page.  Good luck.