ask a cop/jailer

[JWAN]

Okay, what are officers views on semi-large groups (7-10) of kids in all black just hanging out at a park after dark? Cops always seem to think we're up to something, and just troll the area. It's honestly really annoying.

dude a group of 7-10 white kids is also deemed suspicious, don't take it personally

I think people are mis-reading this. He's not saying the kids are black, he's saying they are all wearing black clothes, hoodies, etc...

my bad, you have to still look at the situation, 7-10 people wearing dark after dark (depends on the location) usually draws attention

 

[JRslinger]

Once the drugs take hold of a neighborhood the violence follows, and it feels like no matter how much you hack at the vines it just keeps coming back.

Would you say this is mostly due to drug addicts committing crimes or dealers/gangs fighting over territory?

As a police officer did you undergo simunitions training?

 

[ace_of_something]

What are your feelings on using tazer weapons? They seem like a very divisive issue. Personally I think they are a great tool for non-lethal force but some think they are a torture device. Second follow up question: Do you really have to get shocked by one to qualify on them every year?

They aren't that bad. Personally I'd rather be tazed then get brained with a baton or maced. Most departments do have rules about it some only make you get tazed once ours it was every 18 months. The worst part of getting tazed is that little hooks go into your flesh and they suck to remove.

 

[ace_of_something]

Why do cops arrest people at protests for "blocking the sidewalk" when they force them to protest on the sidewalk?

I am not real sure what you're talking about... If you do not have a permit to protest you can get a 'criminal mischief' or 'request to leave' charge.

Have you ever been in a situation (out of uniform) where you've seen something illegal take place? (say pot being passed around at a party, nothing too serious)

In that situation could you take up your role as a police officer without your uniform or badge? Basically does your authority extend to times that you're not on duty if the situation calls for it?

Are there any laws you completely disagree with but you've been required to enforce? And if so which would you say you disagree with the most?

This is an absolutely brilliant topic by the way.

The example you gave you just cause me to leave the party as they do random drug screenings and I don't want second hand trace amounts. I was actually in a band when I started the academy where I was the only one who didn't do pot; I quit so I wouldn't be around that. (there were no hard feelings) Although most of the people I did/do associate with are about as straight and narrow as you can be.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.78482?page=2#980485
A person is always a cop; I personally almost always had my badge on me unless I was going to a concert, that was personal choice though. I have some friends who (very recently) stopped arm robberies in progress while off duty. That's almost more satisfying than doing it on duty cuz the suspect is caught completely unaware and feels terrified just like what they do to good honest people.

Several times when I pulled over someone for speeding I'd find out they were an illegal immigrant and have to take them to jail to be deported. I always felt really bad about that; cuz yes they broke the law but... most illegal immigrants are good people with families who just want to work and even pay taxes. Now that I work in the Jail I feel even worse about it cuz I see how long they often sit waiting to be deported.

Unregistered is that bad huh?
Well i can't have to many

1, 2, 3...7,... 10...
Im in trouble.

Hey... want to do me a favor?

Yes, unregistered can get you in hot water. It's usually very cheap to register a fire arm (at least in red states) If you had that many it can also let you insure them in case there's a fire or something. If you get burgled you bet your ass they're gonna steal those guns. It's one of the best stolen items to move as many of the kinds of people that buy hot items are not allowed to by guns by virtue of their extensive record. It's something like over 88% of gun crimes are committed with stolen guns.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

Have you ever had problems with prison gangs(NLR,Aryan brotherhood,Mexican mafia)or does that not affect jails at all?

 

[ace_of_something]

I've got this uhh, friend who got a speeding ticket back in September, promptly forgot it. In fact just found it in my or his car. What would be the best course of action here?

EDIT: By the by I haven't heard one single word on it, and believe me if I got one single thing in the mail I would've taken care of it promptly. Right now I'm abit nervous at approaching the issue.

EDIT 2: I mean my friend. He's nervous.

Go to you county/city courthouse and get it paid. If you pay it before you get pulled over again you will be fine. It's a 'low priority' warrant to not pay tickets. Meaning the police won't go out of there way to find you but if they say, pull you over again they can give you a 2nd (much much more expensive) ticket or if it's a bad enough speeding ticket (say you were going 50mph over) you could pull a 'failure to comply with a court order' or 'failure to appear (in court)' both those charges carry about a night to 7 days in
jail.

do you ever use you suit for stripping?

That would be against the rules of conduct to use the uniform in any way other then official business very very against the rules.
Now... in the privacy of my own home with my fiancee...

Finally to quote a obscure line from oblivion. "What are the cahrges for necrophilia in cyrodil (i.e. your state)."

Necrophilia is actually very rarely illegal the supreme court ruled on cases about segregated graveyards that dead people do not have rights. This state has no current legislation on it. There are laws on theft of biological material (a corpse) public health violations (a corpse) and the ilk though. Only a small number of states is it illegal to boink a dead body.

 

[Inverse Skies]

As a cop you must have seen a lot of awful things. My question, is have you found yourself developing a dark sense of humour in order to help you cope with it? A dark humour amongst either yourself or your partner/workmates?

I have heard stories of cops who have been in the system for quite some time developing this method of coping with stress, I'm just curious as to whether you have as well.

 

[ace_of_something]

What's the most powerful firearm your force is authorized to use?

Fire Arm? I believe the - hk g36 - was the one that was the most... deadly. Never saw anyone use it outside of training exercise videos though. I wasn't on SWAT so I never trained with them. Now.... we also had an anti-riot tank-thing it was made in England I apologize for not being able to remember/find the model. It always made me think of a rhino (WH40K) when I saw it as it was painted black and white with the big gold buffalo/shield (our emblem)on it.

What would you do if you pulled over a girl for speeding, and she cited "womens problems" as the reason, and that she "really needed to get home soon". Ticket or warning? Would she have to prove it?

Hypothetical, of course. I'm totally not planning on using that if I ever get pulled for speeding. Because... I don't speed? Yeah...

Me? I would say "I'll try to get this ticket done as soon as possible" I do know plenty of officers that would work on though I'm sure.

Would you say this is mostly due to drug addicts committing crimes or dealers/gangs fighting over territory?
As a police officer did you undergo simunitions training?

That's kind of a chicken and the egg question. I'm really not sure myself. I can tell you from my brief stint in crime against property a metric shit-ton of burglaries (which sometimes get violent) in this city are done because "I needed money for pot/meth/crack/cocaine/acid/beer." The one thing about gangbangers fighting is they usually only kill each other not innocents; keyword there is USUALLY.

We had something very similar to simunitions.

Have you ever had problems with prison gangs(NLR,Aryan brotherhood,Mexican mafia)or does that not affect jails at all?

Thankfully this area doesn't have to bad a gang problem because we have a very active and large anti-gang unit. Most of the gang around here are disorganized morons. However, it's a non-issue in most jails because people are awaiting trial in jail and they still have hope to get out or beat their charge and hurting someone in jail is very very easy for the courts to prove as it's probably on video with a law enforcement witness. Not to say their aren't fights; But most fights are about things like "he borrowed my magazine and never gave it back" or "he called me a name".

 

[ace_of_something]

In your experience as a police officer, have you been thoroughly convinced that marijuana users are dangerous and that marijuana should retail its legal title of "deadly drug" under Schedule I? If so, example situations please.

Okay first of all I had this answered and it took me like 20 minutes to do it proper and the escapist ate my post! So this is a little less detailed.

The ending of my tenure on the Police was as a vice squad officer (aka Team Buzzkill);
MJ admittedly isn?t as ?bad? as meth or crack. However it still is insidious in a different way the thing is Pot is a ?downer? it doesn?t make you hyper or violent it makes you apathetic or mellow. I have seen many many parents who are neglecting their poor children because pot seems more interesting to them. A few instances where they sell their food stamps for pot and let the kids starve (It took all my willpower not to beat the stuffing out of those ?parents?) Occasionally people do have a weird reaction to marijuana and have a ?freakout? we have a guy in jail now who did this and killed his 6 month old baby (threw her out a 3rd story window) as a result. Also, if a neighborhood is under siege by pot -Yes, there is less gunfire- but it?s eerie in it?s own way. No one goes outside; the houses all fall apart, and no-one owns a car. (look up broken window theory) The other thing is the name ?gateway? drug is very true. Now that I work in jail sometimes to pass the time I pull up people?s records. It?s amazing how many people start their lifetime of being a crook with either ?marijuana less than 2oz? or ?shoplifting.? I bet you 4/5 people in jail have been ticketed/arrested for pot. Not to say pot causes criminals. I just think criminals cause pot.

In answer to your question though. I?ve thought about it and yes I think it should be. It does not cause direct violence like a person under meth. But instead it removes your ability to care and eventually empathize. It is a detriment to a community as a whole.

As a cop you must have seen a lot of awful things. My question, is have you found yourself developing a dark sense of humour in order to help you cope with it? A dark humour amongst either yourself or your partner/workmates?

I have heard stories of cops who have been in the system for quite some time developing this method of coping with stress, I'm just curious as to whether you have as well.

Yes, it?s not just common its practically a requirement in both police and corrections work. The human mind is not usually ready to see people behaving the way they do to each other on an hourly basis.
In jail just having to be near some child murdering rapist is hard. Looking at him talking to him; That?s why we usually mock them when we?re in the offices and they're still sitting in the mod.
A story on the gallows humor here http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.78482?page=5#1532865

 

[Audemas]

I had a question, my friend was visiting family in New York and while he was there he got involved in an incident involving a police officer and suspect who was fleeing. He got involved by stopping the suspect but the cop later gave him shit about it saying he could technically get him on obstruction of justice charges. I know you said your jurisdiction was in Nebraska but if you were in that situation could my friend actually have faced charges like that because he helped?

 

[Inverse Skies]

Thanks a bunch for the reply!

 

[ace_of_something]

I had a question, my friend was visiting family in New York and while he was there he got involved in an incident involving a police officer and suspect who was fleeing. He got involved by stopping the suspect but the cop later gave him shit about it saying he could technically get him on obstruction of justice charges. I know you said your jurisdiction was in Nebraska but if you were in that situation could my friend actually have faced charges like that because he helped?

Technically yes he could get an obstruction charge. That'd be really stupid to give that charge when someone helps you though.

 

[StPararararanex]

EDIT: Misread

 

[Caimekaze]

To carry around a tazer and pepper spray as a cop, do you really have to be tazed/pepper sprayed? It's a popular rumor around here.

Also, what's the most graphic sight you have seen as a cop?

That's the army, actually. And it's true. A friend of mine who used to be in the army had to undergo mustard gas... *shudder*

Edit: On further reading, I choose to change that to "That's also in the army, at least the Australian one."

EDIT X 2: I should probably ask a question and all.

How do people treat you if you have to do shopping in uniform? I tend to ask them what it's like, if they like it, and treat them politely; They're doing the public a service, one which can be quite dangerous to them, and so deserve respect. Do you ever get really rude people just because you're part of the force?

 

[Labyrinth]

EDIT: Misread

Nice.

 

[ace_of_something]

Here's another one. So, this patty wagon PA system tells us to keep on the sidewalk or we'll be arrested. Cops form a line that's a good two feet back from the sidewalk. Something like that. A good fair distance. Many of us who'd brought bikes assumed that was there so that people could legally ride them (illegal to ride on the sidewalk here). Right in front of me, two guys have pulled their bikes off the sidewalk, and were starting to get on them. An officer suddenly grabbed one of them and tossed him over his shoulder. It was pretty impressive. And so suddenly that guy was being hogtied on the pavement. Second guy, the guy right behind the first guy, another officer just shoves him backwards knocking him into the crowd and almost knocking his bike into me.

Why'd that happen?

I know Seattle has had some pretty serious problems with protesters getting out of hand but I?ve never had to deal with a protest that got out of control (although, the KKK one mentioned earlier was pretty scary). If I could take a guess the PA said ?get on the sidewalk? not ?get on the sidewalk unless you?re on a bike.? Sounds like the officers got a bit amped up and carried away, at least from what you said. I would?ve said to the guys not on the sidewalk ?Hey, that means you too!? If it seemed like they heard me or understood but choose to ignore it that?s when I?d have to use force. Not sure what throwing the guy accomplishes though other than being an impressive display of force.
Got off on a tangent there; Protests are really actually legally? kind of weird ? laws that normally aren?t enforced or prosecuted are at a protest because often all it takes is one guy, or one incident to cause a full scale riot. So, police are quite a bit more touchy about what you do at a protest; because those cops want to go home when they get off work; not a hospital.

How do people treat you if you have to do shopping in uniform? I tend to ask them what it's like, if they like it, and treat them politely; They're doing the public a service, one which can be quite dangerous to them, and so deserve respect. Do you ever get really rude people just because you're part of the force?

Like running errands? Well, both departments I?ve been on have rules against being in uniform while off duty ?within? reason is the standard; meaning if you just got off work and are headed home it?s not a big deal. So, usually the only place I?m wearing my uniform at either job was/is a gas station to or from work or a restaurant between shifts (overtime is incredibly common) most people that are working are a little bit nicer to you than they normally would be. I assume it?s because they want favors (more cops patrolling their store) and often times they offer you free/discounted stuff if it?s a local business. This is very much against the rules to; I cannot count the number of times I would get in an argument with a restaurant manager/wait-staff that I refuse to take their discount; a lot of times they would not bring me my full check. So, I?d have to figure out how much the meal would?ve cost and leave a ?tip? that covers what I should?ve been charged in addition to the normal tip. People who are just around tend to act one of two ways; indifferent or very very nervous.
Honestly if I wore my uniform in the ?northeast? which is predominantly non-immigrant Black part of town I might and have gotten much more hostile responses. For instance when coming home after 16 hours of work stopping at a gas station. The young people of these parts of town make the pig sound. I had a friend run off the road in this part of town because she was in uniform on the way home; and she is mall-security (mall cops around here usually wear white a blue which look pretty different then the all blue uniforms the police wear).

 

[coldfrog]

I recently was at a book signing/discussion where the author was talking about his research for the book. What he essentially said was "If you tell your local police station that you are doing research for a novel of some sort (probably have to get into detail I'm sure) they will not only be willing to help you, they will go out of their way to provide you with not only material you ask for but stuff they think you could use too." Now, despite this being a double edged sword of getting more than you want sometimes, what he said was that he got to fire a chain gun from a helicopter, use explosives, fire pretty much every weapon available and so on. Assuming they do a pretty thorough background check before hand, do you think this is likely to happen anywhere or did he just get lucky? If you're curious the book was Patient Zero by Johnathan Mayberry, a book about a government agent who gets involved with a zombie.

 

[StPararararanex]

EDIT: Misread

Nice.

You still hang around human scum though.

 

[ace_of_something]

I recently was at a book signing/discussion where the author was talking about his research for the book. What he essentially said was "If you tell your local police station that you are doing research for a novel of some sort (probably have to get into detail I'm sure) they will not only be willing to help you, they will go out of their way to provide you with not only material you ask for but stuff they think you could use too." Now, despite this being a double edged sword of getting more than you want sometimes, what he said was that he got to fire a chain gun from a helicopter, use explosives, fire pretty much every weapon available and so on. Assuming they do a pretty thorough background check before hand, do you think this is likely to happen anywhere or did he just get lucky? If you're curious the book was Patient Zero by Johnathan Mayberry, a book about a government agent who gets involved with a zombie.

I?m gonna go with he got lucky; for one thing I?ve never heard of a single department in the USA that has guns on their helicopter let alone a chain gun. I think it would just depend on the book and the department asked.
For example; the television show COPS has never filmed in our city every police chief/mayor/city council (our town is run by both the city council and mayor) has told them no despite repeated requests. The reason they don?t like that cops puts the most action-y or violent moments on the show; when our department was/is trying to cultivate a more ?helpful? image. COPS has filmed in Las Vegas like 20 times or something so I imagine they?d be more helpful to an author than other departments