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

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 over 11 years ago

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

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 about 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.

my brother just came home for out of state and been here fore about 2 weeks I did some investigation and found he has a warrant out for hi arrest in another state what should I do

Asked by froggy over 11 years ago

Will the foreign state extradite?  If so, feel free to call the local authorities.  If not, the local cops will not be able to arrest him for the warrant.

If my roomate is a convicted felon (Broward County) and I have guns in the home, will this be an issue for him as I heard it is a third degree felony for a convicted felon to live in a home where fire arms are present

Asked by Concerned Citizen about 11 years ago

You need to contact an attorney for clarification.  If he has access to them, and since you know he is a felon, then -you- could be exposed to criminal liability.

Obviously legal gun owners cannot always be trusted either. If you don't want to take away guns, what about stricter regulation of who can own one?
(Thank you for your service. I have complete respect for you and your opinion, just making a point.)

Asked by Hello over 11 years ago

I'm confused by the concept of "stricter regulation."  There are thousands of laws and regulations on the books now that regulate the purchase and ownership of firearms and ammunition in the United States.  There is an entire federal law enforcement agency dedicated to the enforcement of gun laws (and who gets to make arbitrary regulations regarding the legality of different types of firearms, importation, etc.).  

Murder, which I presume is what you would like to stop, predates the invention of firearms.  It is already illegal, yet it still happens every day.  People have tried to prevent people from murdering others for centuries, yet no one has been able to do so.

What stricter regulation on a firearm do you suppose would stop murder? 

Evil exists.  Real, true evil exists in the world.  Some people don't want to believe it, but it does.  Evil people will not obey laws and will harm and kill others no matter what laws you put into place.

 - I oppose new gun regulations in all forms.  

 - I support the repeal of many current gun laws.  

 - I support the disolving of the BATFE.  

 - I support the right of all citizens to use that force which is reasonably necessary to defend themselves and others from attack and forcible felonies.

 - I oppose anyone who would take away the freedoms of any law abiding citizen including the rights to privacy, speak out, assemble, practice a religion, engage in commerce, and keep & bear arms.  To quote Thomas Jefferson, "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."  In other words, if a man -without reasonable cause- harms another, then the goverment has authority to act.  But, unless and until that happens, a government has no authority to interfere in the lives of free men.  I should not tell another man how to live, nor should he tell me how to live my own life.

Pursuing more restrictions on lawful gun owners serves no moral purpose, but only serves the purposes of evil - preventing people from a legitimate form of defense from criminals and illegal governments.

How do I become a sheriff

Asked by mark almost 11 years ago

Run for the office during the next general election. Becoming a deputy is a little easier, and you should contact the local department and inquire about employment if you would like to give that a go.

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.