The Ask A Cop Thread

[DblBarrelJ]

Originally Posted by leoslayer

yes dbl i understand you may want the phone. but there is a huge difference between walking calmly up to somebody and politely asking for it and trying to take it by force. i hate to tell you but if you walked up on me and tried to take my phone it would be an issue.

You're in possession of photographic evidence relevant to an active homicide investigation. If you refused to cooperate with that homicide investigation and turn that evidence over, I'd have no problem detaining you while a search warrant was prepared for your cell phone. Then we'd waste 3 extra hours and do the same thing we would've done if you'd cooperated, which is take you down to the investigations divisions, spend around 20-30 minutes dumping the video off your phone, burn it to a DVD and return your cell phone to you.

Judges, all the way up to Supreme Court Justices, are extremely understanding of reasonable detainments when the officer knows the witness to be in possession of evidence relevant to a homicide investigation, particularly if it's video audio or photographic evidence.

[I_AM_EVIL]

Originally Posted by leoslayer

thts fine like i said you may ask nicely or get a warrant. you will not come screaming at me and try and yank it from me.

What will you do?

Are you gonna fight the police over a phone?

[DblBarrelJ]

Originally Posted by Rizzeedizzee

Where do you side on the taser debate - amazing invention that saves lives of cops and suspects, or crutch that cops have become too reliant upon?

First, a Taser is NOT a replacement for a gun, nor is it meant to be. A taser is a compliance tool, on par with OC spray. It is meant to be used in lieu of physically fighting someone, because it's safer. For both officer and suspect. Were I a criminal, I would greatly prefer a bruise on my ass/head than have my shoulder, elbow or back permanently damaged by a cop attempting to cuff me.

Originally Posted by Rizzeedizzee

Name one TV show that really has nailed what it genuinely is like to be a cop, and another that really blew it.

Reno 911 is actually the most realistic. I swear they've got real cops working as technical advisors on that show. CSI is far and away the worst, in regards to both realism and story.

Originally Posted by Rizzeedizzee

What percentage of cops do you think are non-democrats?

I don't know. Cops are probably going to be more conservative than the US polulace in general.

Originally Posted by Rizzeedizzee

What percentage of cops do you think have helped ever themselves to evidence (drugs, money, weapons) recovered from a crime?

Probably less than most people would assume. Money's a little trickier to judge. Drugs and guns, probably wouldn't even be a statistical blip IMO.

[DblBarrelJ]

Originally Posted by leoslayer

http://youtu.be/F90u1Fa7mzM . come on i swear to christ go find some gang bangers and child molesters. i know you guys are trying to drive up revenue but go get real criminals and stop wasting time on inspection stickers. and other petty crap.

She's a moron. Hell they told us to stop and buy stuff kids are selling on the side of the road. It's just good public relations.

[leoslayer]

well like i said i used to be 100% pro police. why dont they do something to stop all this attitude that police are never to be questioned. that they are to be obeyed 100% of the time. its just getting more and more prevalent.

they should have guys like you running training.

[DblBarrelJ]

I did that too.

I taught Crisis Intervention, Defensive Tactics, and I'm a certified firearms instructor. I was always an adjunct, never a full time instructor.

ETA:I also taught verbal judo, which should be a nationwide requirement to graduate from a police academy IMO

[I_AM_EVIL]

Originally Posted by leoslayer

well like i said i used to be 100% pro police. why dont they do something to stop all this attitude that police are never to be questioned. that they are to be obeyed 100% of the time. its just getting more and more prevalent.

they should have guys like you running training.

Or maybe people should stop breaking laws and they won't put themselves in positions to be "harassed" by the police.

How many times have you looked up stuff for when a police officer does their job and saves someone's life or stopped a crime? Probably never b/c the vast majority of people and news media don't focus on it b/c it's not news worthy.

[lonely_but_rich]

I've asked two retired high ranking cop people (lieutenant and police chief) if there are quotas for traffic tickets and they both said yes. Yes?

[rubythursday]

Is it normal for people in law enforcement to have like thirty jobs over ten years? I've known a few cops and they generally stay cops instead going from cop to prison guard to tsa to dog trainer etc is there something wrong with them?

[Andz]

ACAB

[DblBarrelJ]

We had quotas for stops where I was, not tickets. However, yes. Some agencies do. However, they're much lower than you probably assume. I'd say the average at an agency is a quota of 2-3 per workday.

Most cops work ~14 days a month. That comes to around 30-40 tickets a month.

My record day on DUI was 24. All 18mph+, I'd say at least 15 could've been labeled as "Suspicious vehicle" stops.

[Andz]

Originally Posted by lonely_but_rich

I've asked two retired high ranking cop people (lieutenant and police chief) if there are quotas for traffic tickets and they both said yes. Yes?

That is a common fact where I live.

[DblBarrelJ]

Originally Posted by rubythursday

Is it normal for people in law enforcement to have like thirty jobs over ten years? I've known a few cops and they generally stay cops instead going from cop to prison guard to tsa to dog trainer etc is there something wrong with them?

Well, if you're referring to me, K9 handler is a police job, I worked 3 years at one agency, got laid off there, did a year or slightly over at a prison, did slightly over 7 more at my last agency, never worked a day in my life for TSA. I despise them actually.

And yes, most cops do move around within their dept. Doing 30 years on night shift patrol isn't a good thing. It generally means you can't really maintain a more intense and demanding job like handling a patrol K9 or crime suppression. Where I'm at tactical teams are not a full time gig it's a call in thing with a supplemental pay increase.

[Klakteuh]

My friend in London took a picture of a line of 20 cops waiting for donuts. One of the cops then went to him and made him delete the picture for some bs reason like "spying on national security operation". Is this common ? And was my friend allowed to take the picture ?

Do you ever turn a blind eye to minor offences which you think are not a big deal ? Like someone smoking pot on his balcony, or someone driving 10mph over the speed limit on a empty highway ?

What are your thoughts on the law being more severe for some "white collar" crimes than things like assault & battery or murder ? In many countries you will get a longer sentence for counterfeiting bills/whatever than for gang-beating up someone and breaking all their bones. I personally find it absolutely ridiculous that violent crimes can be punishable less harshly than a non-violent crime.

[DblBarrelJ]

Originally Posted by leoslayer

evil i used to think just like you. but unfortunately they will harass people all the time. i really thought all those stories were made up.

how about this little abuse of power? i have historically dated very good looking women. i actually had a cop see the girl i was dating in the car with me. he then ran my plates to find out who i was. figured out my phone number then called my house to hit on her. i mean come on!

Thinly veiled brag?