ask a cop/jailer

[ace_of_something]

Hate to copy the idea but the asking a Christian and asking a black guy threads were neat so I figured I?d throw mine out there for you.
My qualifications for answering your questions are a BS in the topic of criminal justice, 5 1/2 years of experience on a police force, a brother who is a deputy (they are different) and I am currently working in corrections and have been for about a year and half.

To answer the first obvious question, I?m not a police officer anymore because I was injured off duty, which did not qualify me for a desk job unless you have at least 6 years of seniority? and since it caused nerve damage to my left hand I was unable to pass the yearly marksmanship test. If you want more to the story you?ll have to ask.

You can ask me questions like, things you want to know about police behavior, jail, things about the system. My knowledge from experience is strictly American, but I do have a small amount of knowledge academically of other countries (really small).

i don't think i should have to say this but... keep it civil please.

edit: got my masters in sociology/criminology and a BS in psych now.
edit: I am a deputy sheriff for the county and working in their Crimes against property division now.

 

[Fenring]

Do you really have a keyring with a ton of keys on it?

 

[Siuss]

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.

 

[Calobi]

On average, how many dough-nut (or donut if you prefer to be lazy) jokes are directed at you on a daily basis?

Follow-up: Do you like dough-nuts (or donuts).

 

[Reaperman Wompa]

What weapons are you permitted to carry in each of your past/current professions?

Is it compulsory to wear some form of body protection like Kevlar etc.?

 

[ace_of_something]

Do you really have a keyring with a ton of keys on it?

It depends on what part of the facility i'm working at. If it's just a cell block there's only four keys, one for the doors, one for the switchboard (activates phones, TVs, ect) one for the fire extinguisher, and one for my desk computer. Some spots like the laundry room, you carry an asston of keys.

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.

Lotta things with that.
Semi-large groups of any teenagers after dark can be suspicious regardless of race. What the officers are doing at that point is called 'increasing presence' they want you to see them clearly, the idea is if you see the police your less likely to do things you're not supposed to.
If it's a public park many of them close after a certain time (usually 10pm-11pm) to prevent vandalism, vagrancy and the like.

On average, how many dough-nut (or donut if you prefer to be lazy) jokes are directed at you on a daily basis?

Follow-up: Do you like dough-nuts (or donuts).

As a cop about once or twice a week. Not so much as a C/O (corrections officer). Yes I actually do like donuts but I always have. That stereotype comes from how back in the 50's and such pretty much the only things open when police were patrolling at 2am were doughnut/coffee shops (as IHOP had not been invented yet)

 

[666thHeretic]

Has anyone ever successfully gotten out of a ticket with that retarded "my taxes pay your salary" line? Are you permitted to be a dick when someone receiving a ticket is being needlessly hostile?

 

[Siuss]

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.

Lotta things with that.
Semi-large groups of any teenagers after dark can be suspicious regardless of race. What the officers are doing at that point is called 'increasing presence' they want you to see them clearly, the idea is if you see the police your less likely to do things you're not supposed to.
If it's a public park many of them close after a certain time (usually 10pm-11pm) to prevent vandalism, vagrancy and the like.

For most places this seems fine but it gets dark around 6-6:30 around here so it's just really annoying. I do see your' point though, but we have never actually been caught doing anything illegal, as a matter of fact we reported graffiti (A rebel flag and a bunch of anti-homosexuality banter) to the police. I just wish they could leave us alone.

 

[smallharmlesskitten]

Have you ever hit someone with an Impact Baton?

edit

Spoiler: this puppy

 

[ace_of_something]

What weapons are you permitted to carry in each of your past/current professions?

Is it compulsory to wear some form of body protection like Kevlar etc.?

As a police officer I carried a Glock using .357 SIG , a baton made of a ceramic material (metal/wood ones crack in the winter), Strong Pepper Spray, and a taser. Glocks are the most popular handgun in American law enforcement due to their low maintenance costs.
I was only required to wear Kevlar when on certain duties (gang unit) I only had one week where I had to wear it. I personally never used the glock.

There are also a vast array of non-leathal weapons on which I was trained, but never got to use. My favorite was they called 'the star wars' light. It was a flashlight that basically blinds people without actually damaging the eyes. It had a greenish glow to it.

As a corrections officer I carry no weapons on my person save my fists. I do however wear an emergency pack, if it is jolted heavily, set in a horizontal or semi-horizontal position for more than a few seconds, or if i press a button on it, it goes off sending a signal to central control, they make a PA announcement and about 3-40 other officers come running into the location.
In worst case scenarios (riots and i've only seen this done once) we can be rapidly issued batons, shields and helmets. Sometimes when you get someone who kicks on a door for like 8 hours and pretty much is insane we have to use Oleoresin Capsicum Spray (which is way... way... way fucking worse then pepper spray.)

 

[sneakypenguin]

How much can you protest to a officer without getting shafted. If I get pulled over they always ask to search my car and I go though the whole procedure. What is a nice way to just say no I really don't want you searching my car, write me a ticket or let me go.

As a police officer I carried a Glock using .357 SIG

Heck yeah, I just got a glock 32 yesterday I love it ammo just cost a lot though. I'm looking to get a 9mm conversion barrel just for the range, and carrying .357 hollowpoints otherwise.

EDIT also since I hav a CCL if I get pulled over do I need to let a cop know i'm carrying? I don't want him to see it and freak out.

 

[frozenshad]

have you ever fired your gun up in the air and gone, "AHRAGARAGARAG!!!!!"


but seriously, was there a point in your career where you said, "this is why i wanted to be a cop"?

 

[Dramatic Flare]

What is the correct procedure for reporting an Officer's abuse of power? One of my friends went to jail, and I can't go into details. But he did somethings he shouldn't have

 

[ace_of_something]

Has anyone ever successfully gotten out of a ticket with that retarded "my taxes pay your salary" line? Are you permitted to be a dick when someone receiving a ticket is being needlessly hostile?

No... oddly enough the people that usually say that don't realize we can see if they are on a govt assistance program and often times... they were. A good officer will remain professional when someone is being verbally abusive, but there is a point where you can get another ticket for being nasty usually it falls under 'obstruction' in most cities/counties or a special local law.

Have you ever hit someone with an Impact Baton?

My department did not use impact batons but rather ceramic ones. And if your follow up is with that, yes a few times.

For most places this seems fine but it gets dark around 6-6:30 around here so it's just really annoying. I do see your' point though, but we have never actually been caught doing anything illegal, as a matter of fact we reported graffiti (A rebel flag and a bunch of anti-homosexuality banter) to the police. I just wish they could leave us alone.

Your best bet is to continue being good citizens as you have said. Some cops are kind of like fisherman if they see they aren't gonna catch anything the move on. Or depending on your neighborhood (and that might be a factor too) you could wave at them smile, and ask them how their night is going.
Also, god graffiti is annoying, glad you told them.

 

[Siuss]

Non quote to alleviate block of text...

It's a pretty classy neighborhood that is really why we called in the graffiti, we don't need the young 'uns learning hate.

 

[chronobreak]

My brother in law is a cop, I've heard a lot of these. My question to you is, how far does the thin blue line extend for you? I know many a cop who has done questionable things, such as sex with minors in crusiers or confiscating and selling/using drugs, have you ever witnessed such behavior, and if so, what did you do about it?

 

[ace_of_something]

to: sneakypenguin

What sucks about searches are you're kind of fucked no matter what, if you say ?yes you may search my car? they will most likely do it. You?d be surprised how often something is found that way. If you say ?No? it can arise suspicion.
You might want to say where you?re going calmly and respectfully. ?Is there a reason (sir) or ma?am? I really need to go to work at the bank.?

Assuming your gun is legally registered, you would probably want to tell them, ?I have a registered gun in the car it?s in the (wherever you keep it)?. What sucks about this is that might cause them to go into a long ass ordeal checking the legality of the gun and such depending on your local laws.

If they?re being a complete and utter dick and you feel it?s completely unjustified ask for the officer?s supervisor. Most, but not all, departments are required to contact said supervisor. Use that with caution though, as they remember such things.


edit: holy fuck this ones tags got messed up I fail at internets

 

[ace_of_something]

What is the correct procedure for reporting an Officer's abuse of power? One of my friends went to jail, and I can't go into details. But he did somethings he shouldn't have

Well if he's already in jail he'll likely have to sit it out/pay his bond (every state has different bond procedures). I suggest looking on that department's website seeing how to lodge a complaint. Usually there is an entity run by the county/city separate from the dept. (not cops) that investigate complaints.

have you ever fired your gun up in the air and gone, "AHRAGARAGARAG!!!!!"


but seriously, was there a point in your career where you said, "this is why i wanted to be a cop"?

sadly no... there are times i wanted to though.

It's simple little things like knowing that someone who deserves it are off the streets and helping the other people in the community.

Or in one case while I was on foot patrol i actually honest to god, got a little girl's cat out of a tree. She was 5 her mother thanked me and the little girl gave my leg a hug.

 

[ace_of_something]

My brother in law is a cop, I've heard a lot of these. My question to you is, how far does the thin blue line extend for you? I know many a cop who has done questionable things, such as sex with minors in crusiers or confiscating and selling/using drugs, have you ever witnessed such behavior, and if so, what did you do about it?

Hoooo boy, given the medium of an internet forum I can't go too much into this. I personally am a fricken boyscout. The department I was on had, thankfully, very little problem with corruption. I personally saw very little at least on the level of seriousness that you're speaking of. I did tell my Sgt. about one officer I felt was often needlessly aggressive, who I found out later, was being investigated for just that.

We did have one instance when a patrolman on duty solicited a prostitute he was fired promptly. I have actually sold drugs myself... but that was to arrest mid level dealers... and i didn't see one dime .

In corrections I have seen pretty much no corruption, not a lot of room for it I suppose.

 

[Dramatic Flare]

What is the correct procedure for reporting an Officer's abuse of power? One of my friends went to jail, and I can't go into details. But he did somethings he shouldn't have

Well if he's already in jail he'll likely have to sit it out/pay his bond (every state has different bond procedures). I suggest looking on that department's website seeing how to lodge a complaint. Usually there is an entity run by the county/city separate from the dept. (not cops) that investigate complaints.

oh, no. You got it wrong. it was just for a night, and I never said my friend was guy. But that still helps. Thanks.