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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

615 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on October 29, 2014

Best Rated

When police officers patrol, do they decide on their own when to turn and where to go within their patrol area? Or is there usually/sometimes/rarely an exact route that they generally follow through their area?

Asked by Ryan about 11 years ago

No exact routes are ever taken/repeated.  It would be a good way to be ambushed and that's never a good day.

I'm currently a high school Junior in New Jersey. What steps should I take if I am interested in a career in Law Enforcement? What College decisions should I be making if I want to become a police officer?

Asked by HighSchooler25 about 12 years ago

Get good grades, stay physically fit and stay away from drugs/alcohol/trouble.  I was in high school too, but all of those things will play a role in your hiring process.

If your local department has an explorer program, check on joining that.  It will give you a good amount of experience around police officers and get you some training (plus a foot in the door when you apply for a job.)

Personally, I'd avoid any kind of criminal justice/criminology degree.  Stick to some kind of degree that can make you money - business, computer science, etc.  Don't waste time and money on an expensive degree or go into debt for it.  College debt is a trap.

Can you take college classes while in high school?  I know here in Florida, juniors and seniors can often take college classes and get dual credit:  high school and college for the one class.  I managed to get several of my college classes done for free before I ever left high school that way.

Joining the military (any branch) will help you get hired later and will help pay for advanced education.  

Just a follow up to last question.

Would you ticket an individual if you saw it?

Asked by Peter s over 11 years ago

If I understand the question correctly (entered on green, waited for traffic to clear to complete the turn, light turned red and then you cleared the intersection) - no.  But then, laws vary from place to place.

I have a sentry safe in my home that contained 2000dollars. The money was stolen which means the safe was broken into but there's no sign of it being broken into can the nypd come and dust for fingerprints

Asked by Sikeisha over 11 years ago

They can, but there are a lot of variables that go into lifting useable prints.  There are no guarantees the officer(s) will be able to recover a print, but they can certainly try.

i let my sister use my debit card once but new she won't give it back what should i do

Asked by camelia over 10 years ago

Call your local police department and ask for their assistance. They will know what to do.

just saying if I seen some one do a hit & run on another car three years ago & didn't report it because it was my boss & didn't want to lose my job over it & would really like to report it now! Would I be in trouble for not reporting it?

Asked by G.F over 11 years ago

I don't know the circumstances of the case or the laws that might apply to your case.  I do know what the right thing is, but it is up to you to do it.

Does a Detective typically drive a police car or does he/she have another type of unmarked car they drive around? Thank You

Asked by edwurd almost 11 years ago

A detective will generall drive an unmarked car provided by the agency.  The type of vehicle varies greatly.  I've seen everything from a Prius to a Mustang.  Most departments will go with a domestic sedan, though that is not always the case.  Sometimes the detective's job will dictate the need for a different kind of car.  For example, a narcotics officer will not be driving a Crown Vic.  Sometimes a vehicle might be seized through civil forfeiture and be used by detectives.  Unless you think the car is integral to the story go with a Ford Taurus or Chevy Impala.