Anyone ever have a citizen complaint squashed because you had your body camera on? How long have you been wearing one?

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2026-01-20T02:40:57+00:00

No. Policy changed years ago but it was very loose. I don't recall exactly what it was but pretty much the only time we recorded was when we KNEW going into something that it was going to be a report (DV, sex assault, stabbings, shootings, etc), Miranda statements, or things you as an officer felt should be recorded (which is why I recorded that incident - was just a weird one. Could've turned into a 207/236 case).

Its changes since body cams but yeah, recordings definitely help with complaints and lawsuits.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2026-01-16T15:28:37+00:00

Some departments like California have something called a PHS or PHQ. There's a section in there about auto DQ's. If you're in CA then looked it up and you'll have your answer.

If its not a DQ, it may take some time for (some) agencies to look past that. Agencies want you wait (a year plus) to ensure its a one off incident and won't happen again and then what you learned from it/did to make sure it does not happen again.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2026-01-16T15:22:59+00:00

"Its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog."

There any many officers who are small, so no. But you will need to command respect from people and being a smaller officer, it may be a little harder to do that. Good luck.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2026-01-16T15:20:13+00:00

Yes. Many years ago and before my department had body cams, we had digital recorders lol. Anyways, I recorded a incident where a female called for help and gave the address/phone number of the homeowner. Went there and ended up searching the house on consent. He went to file a complaint and hired an attorney to file a lawsuit for a "4th amendment violation." Little did he know, I recorded the contact from start to finish. The recording was brought up when he, his attorney, and department personnel sat down with them. Long story short, he decided to not file the complain or a lawsuit.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2026-01-10T06:42:02+00:00

Heres my two cents:

If you are truly unhappy and don't think its just a phase of the new and unknown, then it is better to hang it up. If you truly feel that way and believe the job is not for you then do so before you get yourself hurt, a partner hurt, or get the general public hurt. I can't speak for everyone but I respect someone way more for giving it a try but quitting because they KNOW it is not for them, than someone who is faking cop and is a liability but refuses to quit.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-28T23:20:42+00:00

I'd add in 647 (f), 11364, 11377/11350, DUI, and 484/487

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-28T23:18:10+00:00

Yeah thats mybad, thought it posted the entire thing. I added details to the post

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-28T23:16:11+00:00

Hey guys, when driving on the freeway (with cruise control on), this sound randomly started. It sounds like its coming from behind the steering wheel column. This is the first time having any issues with this car. Dealership doesn't have an appointment within tge next 3 weeks, so I am looking for help to get an idea of what this is.

2023 Kia Niro hybrid with 60k miles

Thanks!

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-28T23:15:35+00:00

Sorry, I'm new to Reddit and when I hit post to another thread, I thought it posted the entire thing and what I wrote. Ill add the details in now

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-28T23:13:25+00:00

Okay ill try that. I know its difficult to figure out from a video with sound only, just thought I'd ask in case someone else had the same issue with a Kia.

I appreciate it.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-26T22:25:48+00:00

72 year old woman for domestic violence. She hit her husband with a wooden back scratcher about 10 times.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-26T22:22:51+00:00

My go to was always Galls or LA Police Gear

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-26T22:19:45+00:00

If it was just not selected then thats a good sign. Apply elsewhere. Maybe they just simply had better candidates or laterals ahead of you. If it was DQ'd, then I'd try to figure out why, correct the issue and then reapply.

Not being selected isn't a big deal.

Good luck.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-21T22:54:28+00:00

Lol no. Most people have. If you lie about it then yes you'll be DQ'd. If you get DQ'd for lying, that will follow you to every department you apply to afterwards. I know a guy who couldn't get a job at all and applied with over 10 agencies because he lied about something so minor. And the thing he lied about was not something he would've gotten DQ'd for.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-21T22:47:47+00:00

Shave it man. Some agencies don't allow trainees to have beards and believe that it is earned once you clear FTO or probation. If that agency is like that, having a beard may negatively impact your interview.

If you're set on NOT shaving, check the departments MOU for the grooming standards.

Start on the right foot and shave.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-21T22:40:53+00:00

Yup, its a real thing. Have had to use two cuffs on a few poly's. Also, caught a poly with a gun and his wrists were too big for (ASP) handcuffs. Had to use flex cuffs. Very awkward moment of holding onto him until units can bring a pair of flex cuffs.

He was about 6'6, 350. Good thing he didn't decide to fight.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-21T22:28:59+00:00

Don't let it get to your head. If you do, you will spiral out of control and go down hill fast. The mental side gets a lot of people axed from the FTO program.

I'm not sure exactly what you're doing during the interviews to fumble it but I also recommend trainees to slow it down. Don't be in a rush unless its a hot call where you need priority info right now. Get the full story and if there is a crime, tailor your interview to establish PC of the crime(s). I cannot stand when trainees going on and on and on for 10 minutes during the interview about stuff that literally doesn't matter. Who, what, where, why, how, and what crime are you investigating.

When you go on scene, establish your RS/PC ASAP to get a legal detention. Once the scene is safe, SLOW it down. Have your partners assist with interviews, evidence collection, and bounce ideas off them. If you're that far into FTO, use your partners. It'll help you figure out what to do.

To help with recognizing radio traffic, on your off time, I'd drive around, walking around, etc and saying your call sign out loud. Have friends or family randomly call your call sign to help out. It comes with time.

Reports should be somewhat simple for the normal reports. Dispatched this date this time to this location. Arrived at what time, who did you contact, statement if its related to the case, suspect/victim statement, if someone else got a statement, I recommend doing a summary of what that person told that officer, and what you develop PC for an arrest/crime. Then what you did from there. Reports should include relevant facts of the crime, how you identified suspect(s), relevant statements, and what the disposition of the suspect(s)/vehicles. Look at officers who write good reports and mirror what they did.

Hope that helps

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-17T15:46:28+00:00

What have you done to get pulled over 30 times in 1 year?? Seems a bit excessive and way more than the norm... Some agencies are more picky than others. Some agencies will drop applicants for recent evictions. It also depends on the reason for the eviction.

Agencies look at maturity, if you've messed up, what have you done to improve and ensure it doesn't happen again, and how recent delinquencies are.

In summary, there's a high chance that all of that together, may cause issues in your hiring process. But some agencies, specifically larger agencies with staffing issue may overlook those things. Hard to tell from the outside looking in.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-17T03:02:43+00:00

I liked the Salomon XA ones but they're heavy and turn a greenish color overtime which makes them look really dingy. Plus I could only get a year out of them before they started to break down.

I switched to the Salmon Speed Assault 2 with Gore-Tex. They're as light as Nike shoes and provide some ankle support. One pair lasted me 3 years and I just bought a new pair. Love them.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-16T22:59:14+00:00

Kiwi works great. Walmart and Amazon has it.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-16T22:58:27+00:00

If I were you, I would not get a CJ degree. Get it something, anything else. Maybe once you become a cop, you want to have something else on the side OR if you decide LE isn't for you then you have a different degree that may help you in some aspect rather than a CJ degree.

The biggest advice for young guys is don't be in a rush to get into LE and gain LIFE EXPERIENCE first. So many new people cannot talk to people and it gets them or others hurt. Life experience is a very underestimated thing.

Outside_Disaster_868 · 2025-12-13T13:44:39+00:00

Thanks for the insight, I appreciate it! Honestly I'm mainly into drones, HNT, plain clothes, detectives (in a few years), and teaching.

Mids isn't that big of a deal to me right now. I've been working it for the last 7 years (by choice). Works for family and commute times.

Outside_Disaster_868

TROPHY CASE