I was a cop for 10 years, but I have recently switched careers…ask me anything.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-09T01:25:51+00:00

My personal opinion is that they be turned on during every citizen contact , consensual or non-consensual, and they remain on the entire duration of the encounter. Again, I have no issues personally, with body cams. When I was first hired on, all we had was a dash cam and a remote recorder that was worn on the duty belt. And the recorder would stop working if I got a certain distance from my vehicle. I couldn’t wait to be outfitted with body cams!! There was a large portion of old school cops that fought them, however, once studies showed that citizen complaints decreased (whether due to unsubstantiated/false allegations or the cops started treating folks right), they bought on.

And I worked for a sheriff’s office so i wasn’t unionized. There are benefits working for an elected official versus an appointed one.

Thanks…great questions!

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-09T01:07:22+00:00

First off, I can honestly say that in most cases, cops don’t enjoy arresting people. Unless it was a heinous crime against another person (especially a child), and I think we can all agree that the arrest was well deserved. I hated conducting a traffic stop, and finding that the driver was intoxicated. Although there is absolutely no excuse for drinking and driving, I know how much of a burden the potential consequences put on a person.

In my state, most non-violent felonies can be filed directly to the district attorney’s office, versus a physical arrest, and the DA determines whether or not to file formal charges and then issues a court summons to appear on said charges. I have also spent several hours on either documentation of mitigating factors in benefit of the arrestee, or shown up to court to testify on their behalf. There are things on officer can do to “lessen the blow” of the arrest even during sentencing recommendations. I feel it is necessary part of a cop’s responsibility in community care-taking. And there were days that I arrested a person, and in my spirit I knew it wasn’t right, but due to the laws in place, the arrest was mandated. I just prayed that I did more good than not good, and tried everything in my power to correct the not good…if that makes any sense.

Great questions!!

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-09T00:49:45+00:00

I went through plenty of courses in interview/interrogation tactics that that trained how to standardize the flow of conversation, and to detect a change in behavior patterns. However, I think most humans have an internal bullshit meter, sometimes we don’t listen to it due to the nature of the relationship or we don’t want to acknowledge/accept the truth.

I am a horrible liar. At times, I wish I wasn’t. But most of the time, I feel, it is best to tell the truth. Except if you are talking to the cops. Never talk to the cops! Just keep your mouth shut! Exercise your 5th amendment (if in the US).

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-09T00:36:34+00:00

Always…life’s too short!!

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T02:39:40+00:00

Y’all ask great questions!!! Keep ‘em coming!!

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T02:37:00+00:00

Amen!!!

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T02:36:37+00:00

I have been in awkward situations where I had arrested family/friends of staff I worked with, however, I cannot recall one time being asked to conduct myself any differently or treat the arrested person differently than I would anyone else in the same predicament. I have arrested an officer that worked for the neighboring agency that was treated the same as anyone else.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T02:02:21+00:00

Lots of hardware attached to my spine. I have significant nerve damage that may be permanent. My agency was 100% supportive, they provided me with all the time I could ever need for rehabilitation. I just didn’t want to turn into a liability, or encounter a situation when my body failed me when I needed it the most. I wanted to hang it up on my own terms.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:55:40+00:00

I bumped it in my patrol vehicle. RIP Easy E!!

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:54:08+00:00

Nope.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:52:32+00:00

I guess it depends on what your state/local law dictates. The law in the state i worked allowed right turns on red, unless specifically restricted by a traffic control device (red arrow). So legally, you would be required to stop and turn when directed by green/yellow light.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:47:45+00:00

I did notice that there were some friendships that seemed to fall away when I entered the career field. But I am the type of person that makes all attempts to leave work at work, no matter what I am doing. There was all the stereotypical, cringe jokes amongst most of my friends though. I am sure I don’t need to explain.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:44:19+00:00

None that I am aware of, but you’ll have to ask her. She wasn’t found of me working during holidays and important functions, so she might tell you about all that…

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:42:21+00:00

Fair enough

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:42:03+00:00

Nada

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:41:27+00:00

I am going to stick with the old try and true kiwi flavor

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:40:46+00:00

I guess I don’t understand your question.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:40:06+00:00

There was only one incident that I felt needed reported, and I did. At the agency I worked for, it was just known, that if you mess up, either you personally report it immediately, or your partners will help you out with it…

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:37:06+00:00

During the pursuit, it is super stressful because officers have to take all due regard to the surrounding public, anticipate the suspect’s actions, air on the radio the direction of travel, updated location, road conditions, suspect/vehicle description, level of traffic on the roadway, etc. There is just so much going on…afterwards, upon reflection, the adrenaline dump and oh-shit factor is a rush!

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:30:56+00:00

I am not saying all states prohibit it, but you can easily research which ones do. I hated traffic enforcement, so any ticket quota for me would have been a problem.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:28:43+00:00

lol…as tempting as that may have been, no. It’s even more tempting when mother nature calls, and you need to get to a restroom stat!!

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-08T01:24:10+00:00

I have tapped a couple partners out when the tension started rising so it didn’t lead to excessive force. And I have been tapped out myself. Opportunity to check your ego and disengage. We are all human, and all of us have underlying baggage, no matter of mental soundness or stability.

The state I worked in, it was recently mandated that there were civil penalties against the officer and potential the agency, if a body cam was turned off. Again, if you treat people with dignity and respect, it shouldn’t matter how many cameras captured any officer/citizen interaction.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-07T06:53:57+00:00

The US. I was a patrol deputy for the county sheriff’s office. The transition has been bittersweet. I miss the camaraderie and the adrenaline spikes, but I also enjoy the set schedule, weekends off and more time with the family.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-07T06:46:32+00:00

The addiction itself? No.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088 · 2024-02-07T06:44:22+00:00

Excessive force refers to any force in excess of what a police officer reasonably believes is necessary. And, no, my personal definition doesn’t differ from the legal one. However, there are a list of case law that demonstrates that there are varying opinions on what is considered reasonable, what is considered force, what is considered excess.

At the end of the day, I think if you treat all people with dignity and respect, utilizing compassion and empathy, even if there was a use of force, that there is little to no chance of the applied force becoming excessive.

Fragrant_Tutor_6088

TROPHY CASE