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

I have just recently found out that a man that moved in to our neighborhood over a year ago is a convicted sex offender. Is it required for the police department to inform us somehow?

Asked by Concerned Dad over 11 years ago

Probably not.  Laws vary from state to state, but law enforcement has no duty to protect you.  Law enforcement has a duty to provide general protection to a community, but not to individuals.  Most (all?) states provide a sex offender database online that you can access to check things for yourself.  For example, this is the one in Florida:  https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/

If I purchase a phone from someone, sent the money through Western Union and he/she collects it, but I don't receive the phone, is there a way of getting back my money?

Asked by Shan over 11 years ago

Probably not.

In my experience, a significant number of transactions handled via Western Union are scams.  Money sent through Western Union can be picked up anywhere in the world.  So a person sets up a Craigslist ad (or wherever) and says he lives in New York, Atlanta, or wherever.  However, he most likely lives outside the jurisdiction of the US - Europe, Africa, Asia.  He can pick up the money anonymously at any Western Union and you never hear from him again.

Unfortunately, I have seen too many of these cases and none of them are ever solved.

Feel free to file a police report, but do not expect that you will ever get your money back.

Is it jay walking when u cross the street when there's no streetlight?

Asked by Michelle over 11 years ago

Each state has different laws.  Refer to your state's laws.  Google can help you find the official listing of laws for your state.

How do i find about trying to become a state dot. cop

Asked by Butch over 11 years ago

Go to the department's website and find the recruiting information there.  You can also call them for information.

When a police officer takes a civil service test to be promoted, does it take passing the test AND an appointment to the new rank, or is the test hard enough for anyone who passes it to reach a new rank?

Asked by Eagle over 11 years ago

No idea - I didn't work at one of those departments.

I would sincerely hope that people were not promoted based on a test score, but when you mix government and unions and there is rarely any room for common sense.  

Promotion should be based on ability.  Most tests are only analyzing a person's ability to memorize a set of facts.

When applying to be a police officer you are asked if you had been involved in any criminal activity, if i answer honestly even though I have a clean record could it legally be used to obtain a search warrant or for a criminal investigation?

Asked by MICHEAL almost 12 years ago

Depends on the circumstances.  However, I'm not sure that you are describing the ideal police candidate anyway...

Hi. I'm 15 and I'm really interested in becoming a police officer. But I have straight-As in school and I hate to say it but I feel like no one with my grades would become a police officer. Any advice? Have you known officers that were very academic?

Asked by Phillip almost 12 years ago

I'm not sure why you would think that.  Getting good grades is very important if you want to be a police officer.

I went to a well known university to be an aerospace engineer (you know, a rocket scientist.)  I determined engineering wasn't much of a challenge and discovered law enforcement was a far more challenging career.

Fortunately, I am not the only guy to make good grades to go into law enforcement.  In the states I have worked (Georgia and Florida), most of the officers I have met/worked with are much brighter than the general public.  You have to be intelligent and quick thinking to do the job.  Idiots should not apply.

Do morons get into law enforcement?  Sometimes.  But, most of them are weeded out during training.  The few that are left tend to get promoted rapidly.

I'm a bit perplexed by anyone who thinks that no one smart goes into public safety (or the military.)  I guess it is watching too many movies.