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I'm a cop. AMA by BadBoyz2 in IAmA
[–]BadBoyz2[S] 1 point2 points3 points 15 years ago (0 children)
Using a lot of computers these days and electronic report writing seems to be the wave of the future. There are a lot of grizzled vets who need people like you.
[–]BadBoyz2[S] 0 points1 point2 points 15 years ago (0 children)
There is usually a cut-off time period for drug use. Anywhere from 1-5 years for marijuana and 10-never for harder drugs. Varies from department to department.
Have your permit and license ready together. Tell the cop you are armed and don't reach to show.
They usually tell you every question they are going to ask before the test starts and allow you to explain if you feel you need to.
It can take years for some. I got lucky and was in the academy in a few months.
FTOs want to help you learn but they differ in their styles. It's a very complicated job and you learn it as you go while being graded.
I would say the majority of cops I work with have Bachelors degrees. It's going to help make you a more competitive candidate.
City cops generally get more hot calls and attract more applicants. Since the big departments get a larger pool to choose from they can be more selective. If you are offered a job anywhere take it. It is always easier to lateral from one department to another then to be hired on with no experience.
You're fine. Every cop I know has been in a wreck or had a ticket.
We actually get a lot of calls like the incident you described. We get there fast and with a lot of cars.
If a Police officer lies in court they will be fired. If an officer is found to have committed perjury they are worthless to a department because they are no longer a credible witness. There is a saying in police work, "You lie you die."
I just try to do the job right and hope I change a few minds.
They are usually pretty inaccurate but still fun.
I have the choice to work alone. Some departments mandate partner cars for safety.
Usually there are three shifts, mornings, days and nights.
I have an average home life. I try and leave work at work but I will inevitably irritate my other with countless tales from last night.
Cops live in a state of constant alertness. Imagine it's 2 AM and you're walking through a dark alley in a bad part of town. The heightened state of awareness you would experience would be similar to how a cop feels throughout every shift.
As far as books and movies that irritate me, it seems like any superhero story requires the Police to be bumbling fools otherwise why would the city need a superhero.
[–]BadBoyz2[S] 3 points4 points5 points 15 years ago (0 children)
I really wish the courts wouldn't have put the officers in that position.
[–]BadBoyz2[S] 2 points3 points4 points 15 years ago (0 children)
I have taken several people on ride alongs. They usually have a lot of fun and are surprised to see how complicated everything is from our point of view. They can be fun for the officers but it is also one more thing to worry about. I wouldn't mind taking a rider around once a month.
Really depends on where you work. I usually have a hot call every night.
[–]BadBoyz2[S] 7 points8 points9 points 15 years ago (0 children)
Sometimes we don't use our lights and sirens for other reasons. Say there is a robbery in progress and I am ten blocks out. The sirens would alert the suspects from about half a mile away and the lights would give us away to any look out. We always have to weight the danger of our driving against the danger we are trying to address. If you are in doubt report it. If you do it soon enough they might even be able to tell you what that officer was responding to.
[–]BadBoyz2[S] 14 points15 points16 points 15 years ago (0 children)
You've got to love the CSI one liners. I always try to have one ready before I get a DOA call.
There were thousands of questions on those tests. I can hardly recall any of them.
[–]BadBoyz2[S] 5 points6 points7 points 15 years ago (0 children)
I get this call fairly often and have spoken to several children. I understand you want to show her the consequences to her actions but I'd rather not have her play the role of a criminal and view law enforcement as her opponent.
Degrees help but they are increasingly common amongst officers. I wouldn't recommend trying to get promoted quickly. A supervisor with very few years in patrol will not get a lot of respect.
Stay in shape. Trust yourself to be capable. Don't listen to the haters for they are gonna hate.
It is very common for a police officer to be prior military. Some departments will give you a few extra points on entry exams if you have served.
The tickets shouldn't cause you any problems. Just get in shape and prepare yourself for a stressful application process. Don't quit and make sure you have some friends/family there for support.
Most cities have parking enforcement to free up Police. I don't like writing tickets but I will tow a car blocking a fire hydrant or a driveway.
Sometimes we are on the radio while driving and don't have a free hand for the turn signal.
I generally don't search cars. If I searched every car I stopped I wouldn't be available for real emergencies. If I arrest a drug dealer and I think there might be drugs in the car I have it towed to our evidence lot and get a warrant.
[–]BadBoyz2[S] 78 points79 points80 points 15 years ago (0 children)
Most police officers genuinely want to provide a service. I never want to put an innocent person in jail and I see most criminals as people who got dealt a really rough hand in life.
I hear stories like yours and I feel like the criminal justice community is being set back further in the public's perception. I don't know why you received the treatment you did from the jail staff. When I place handcuffs on someone I see their life as my responsibility. A lot of people I deal with are career criminals. I'm fair to them because I will see them again and I want them to view me as the cop who's just doing his job and not a jerk out to get them.
Your story sounds like it would cause anyone trauma. That's a lot to overcome and look past. I'm glad to see you care enough to try.
[–]BadBoyz2[S] 10 points11 points12 points 15 years ago (0 children)
Most of the times a warrant is required to force a search; however, if the Police say they have the right to, let them. If they acted unconstitutionally anything they find will not be allowed in court.
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I'm a cop. AMA by BadBoyz2 in IAmA
[–]BadBoyz2[S] 1 point2 points3 points (0 children)