RonDawg
Contributor
Wow! I can't believe how civil this thread has been so far.
Now, I'd like to add my own comments from a law enforcer's point of view. But first, the legal disclaimer:
My statements below are solely my own opinions in accordance with my rights under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. These opinions may not reflect those of my employer.
how many DUI/DWI's does it take to actually go to jail? I see some people who have 2 and go to jail then there are others who have 8+ and still driving around. This will depend on your state. Some states are stricter than others when it comes to DUI enforcement. Sadly, in a few states DUI is not taken as seriously as it should be.
In California, if you are found to be in violation of 23152 of the California Vehicle Code (our DUI laws) you will likely be taken to jail. There is too much liability in letting someone who's had too much go home in a taxi, only to have the taxi driver turn around and then have our impaired driver get back into the car. Trust me, it's happened...
As far as to why they're out of jail, again that depends on the state. As to why they're still driving, very likely their licenses are suspended, but then again a lack of a license hasn't discouraged a lot of people who have NOT been arrested for DUI from operating a motor vehicle.
If you get a ticket and the officer checks off MVA (Motor Vehicle Act) in the top of the ticket but in the description of the violation (speeding) doesn't include MVA, the MVA section code for the specific violation or the amount of fine, even though there is a labeled box for it, does this mean the ticket is void? In other words - how can I be violating the MVA if there they didn't say which section of the MVA I violated? How can I pay the fine when the fine section has been left blank? Is it a warning ticket even though it's not written on the official warning paper and instead is on official violation paper? That's going to depend on your local laws and your local court. In my area, an error like that won't necessarily void your ticket out. Heck, I just got one kicked back that I FORGOT TO SIGN!! But rather than void the ticket out, the court clerk simply kicked it back with a nasty-gram attached telling me to sign it.
What firearm do you use? Sig-Sauer P-220 chambered for .45 ACP
Have you ever shot someone? No, but a couple of times I came REAL close.
When you were a kid, did you want to be a cop? HECK NO! This was the LAST job I would have wanted to do when I was a kid. Funny how things change as we mature.
Would you enforce an UnConstitutional law? Of course not, it would be illegal for us to do so. Remember though, a law isn't considered unconstitutional unless an appellate court says it is.
How often do you practice with your weapon? Depends on the agency. Mine makes us do range qualifications every two months. Of course we are encouraged to visit the range as much as possible.
What's the most funniest situation you've experienced? Far too many to recall. I do remember the non-English speaking guy trying to report someone trying to break in his house at night, while I'm trying not to laugh at his t-shirt which said "Warning: I have PMS."
What's the most embarassing situation you've experienced? I'm going to invoke my Fifth Amendment rights on that one
Don't leave home without one (in regards to radar detector possession) Legal or not, in my opinion they are largely useless. I can't tell you how many people I've cited for speeding who had one mounted to their windshield or sun visor.
My older brother has had one for years. Who in my family (which includes four siblings, two of whose offspring now have drivers' licences) has the most speeding tickets? Yup, the one with the radar detector...
What is the purpose of speeding tickets? To increase safety or to raise revenue?
Well of course it's to increase safety. If it doesn't hit you in the pocket book, how else are you supposed to be deterred from doing it?
Now, I'm not going to be naive and tell you that there isn't money in speeding tickets, because obviously there is. I will say that at least in CA, municipalities get very little revenue from speeding tickets, or any citations written for violations of the California Vehicle Code (where almost all of your driving laws can be found in this state). Sacramento gets most of the money. So for CA residents anyway, if you're unhappy with this, you might want to have a chat with Uncle Ahhnohld.
What is the point of having a law for front liscence plates , window tint, only allowing lane splitting on motorcycles in one state. Motorcycles should be able to cruise buy while the yuppies are trapt in traffic in there gas guzzeling SUVs. What is the point of patroling a deserted road in the middle of no where and pulling the one drivier in a hour, over for speeding. Why don't all states have "while children are present "signs in school zones , is it just to make more money thru out the day You might want to rephrase that, preferably in a one-question-at-a-time way. It sounds like what some lawyer tries to do to trip me up in court.
Where are all the good looking law enforcement officers? I thought we were all good looking. That's what they tell us in the academy. Now I'm hurt...
Is there an age limit for starting a career with the police in the US? This will vary by state and by department, but generally speaking age 21 tends to be the minimum across the country.
How long is the education before you starting working? Police academies can be anywhere from a month to as much as a year, with 6-7 months being the average.
The reason I'm asking (I'm in Norway) is that over here I see a "problem" in school broilers just out of high school and the military, with little or no work/life experience to bring with them into service. The students at the police academy here are very young! Not such a good thing, really. It's no different in the United States. The average patrol cop today is usually in his mid 20's or younger, this may be his first real job and is often still living with his parents. 30 years ago, the average patrol cop may have been in the same age group, but usually had military experience behind him.
It's become a real concern because a large number of cops were hired towards the end of, and right after, the Vietnam War and these officers are retiring in large numbers. You're not seeing the same level of experience as before.
What is the upper age limit to become a police officer in the US? Depends on the agency. We've hired officers that were in their 50's. Some agencies, by law, have upper age limits. Sometimes it's due to mandatory retirement ages (especially in Federal law enforcement) and if you hire too late, you won't have worked enough years to get a pension when you reach that age. Others, like the California Highway Patrol, have their hiring parameters actually spelled out in law (the California Vehicle Code in the CHP's case) which can only be changed by an act of the legislature and approved by the executive branch.
How do you qualify, and how long is the education/training? There is a selection process that varies, but usually involves a written test, a physical agility test, an oral board selection process, a comprehensive background investigation, a medical examination, and a psychological screening. As stated above, academies can be anywhere from 1 to 12 months long, with 6-7 months being commonplace.
Do you ever "badge out" fellow LEO's when they break the law? I'll answer it this way: have I given warnings to off-duty cops? Yes. But I also have given many warnings to ordinary civilians as well. I would say that for every cop I have let off with a warning, I have let 1000 more civilians go as well. And such warnings would only apply to minor traffic infractions; anything more serious like DUI or domestic violence, and my hands are tied.
How do you feel about lawyers and do you often get beaten in court? I personally don't like them, but dealing with them is part of the job. As far as being beaten in court, you can't let it get to you, it's also part of the job. However, I've gotten far more convictions than acquittals on my cases. With the acquittals I simply learn from my mistakes.
1) What goes on in a cops mind that makes him/her keep beating someone like Rodney King even after he has clearly given up? Well Diver0001, without getting into specifics, let's just say that it was a combination of poor techniques and letting your adrenaline do the thinking for you. Of course, until you have been in their situation, you can't really know what it's like.
2) And on a related question. Do cops brag about this kind of thing in the locker room? No, and you need to stop watching those really bad movies about how us mean cops are always scheming to violate some poor citizen's civil rights. Believe it or not, all we are interested in is going home in the same physical condition as when we arrived for work.
3) It seems to me that if the police have a constitutional monopoly on the use of violence against members of the public that people who enter the force should be screened for their ability to handle this power responsibly. Does this happen? If so, how is the screening done? Comprehensive background checks and psychological exams are part of the screening process.
(continued)
Now, I'd like to add my own comments from a law enforcer's point of view. But first, the legal disclaimer:
My statements below are solely my own opinions in accordance with my rights under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. These opinions may not reflect those of my employer.
how many DUI/DWI's does it take to actually go to jail? I see some people who have 2 and go to jail then there are others who have 8+ and still driving around. This will depend on your state. Some states are stricter than others when it comes to DUI enforcement. Sadly, in a few states DUI is not taken as seriously as it should be.
In California, if you are found to be in violation of 23152 of the California Vehicle Code (our DUI laws) you will likely be taken to jail. There is too much liability in letting someone who's had too much go home in a taxi, only to have the taxi driver turn around and then have our impaired driver get back into the car. Trust me, it's happened...
As far as to why they're out of jail, again that depends on the state. As to why they're still driving, very likely their licenses are suspended, but then again a lack of a license hasn't discouraged a lot of people who have NOT been arrested for DUI from operating a motor vehicle.
If you get a ticket and the officer checks off MVA (Motor Vehicle Act) in the top of the ticket but in the description of the violation (speeding) doesn't include MVA, the MVA section code for the specific violation or the amount of fine, even though there is a labeled box for it, does this mean the ticket is void? In other words - how can I be violating the MVA if there they didn't say which section of the MVA I violated? How can I pay the fine when the fine section has been left blank? Is it a warning ticket even though it's not written on the official warning paper and instead is on official violation paper? That's going to depend on your local laws and your local court. In my area, an error like that won't necessarily void your ticket out. Heck, I just got one kicked back that I FORGOT TO SIGN!! But rather than void the ticket out, the court clerk simply kicked it back with a nasty-gram attached telling me to sign it.
What firearm do you use? Sig-Sauer P-220 chambered for .45 ACP
Have you ever shot someone? No, but a couple of times I came REAL close.
When you were a kid, did you want to be a cop? HECK NO! This was the LAST job I would have wanted to do when I was a kid. Funny how things change as we mature.
Would you enforce an UnConstitutional law? Of course not, it would be illegal for us to do so. Remember though, a law isn't considered unconstitutional unless an appellate court says it is.
How often do you practice with your weapon? Depends on the agency. Mine makes us do range qualifications every two months. Of course we are encouraged to visit the range as much as possible.
What's the most funniest situation you've experienced? Far too many to recall. I do remember the non-English speaking guy trying to report someone trying to break in his house at night, while I'm trying not to laugh at his t-shirt which said "Warning: I have PMS."
What's the most embarassing situation you've experienced? I'm going to invoke my Fifth Amendment rights on that one
Don't leave home without one (in regards to radar detector possession) Legal or not, in my opinion they are largely useless. I can't tell you how many people I've cited for speeding who had one mounted to their windshield or sun visor.
My older brother has had one for years. Who in my family (which includes four siblings, two of whose offspring now have drivers' licences) has the most speeding tickets? Yup, the one with the radar detector...
What is the purpose of speeding tickets? To increase safety or to raise revenue?
Well of course it's to increase safety. If it doesn't hit you in the pocket book, how else are you supposed to be deterred from doing it?
Now, I'm not going to be naive and tell you that there isn't money in speeding tickets, because obviously there is. I will say that at least in CA, municipalities get very little revenue from speeding tickets, or any citations written for violations of the California Vehicle Code (where almost all of your driving laws can be found in this state). Sacramento gets most of the money. So for CA residents anyway, if you're unhappy with this, you might want to have a chat with Uncle Ahhnohld.
What is the point of having a law for front liscence plates , window tint, only allowing lane splitting on motorcycles in one state. Motorcycles should be able to cruise buy while the yuppies are trapt in traffic in there gas guzzeling SUVs. What is the point of patroling a deserted road in the middle of no where and pulling the one drivier in a hour, over for speeding. Why don't all states have "while children are present "signs in school zones , is it just to make more money thru out the day You might want to rephrase that, preferably in a one-question-at-a-time way. It sounds like what some lawyer tries to do to trip me up in court.
Where are all the good looking law enforcement officers? I thought we were all good looking. That's what they tell us in the academy. Now I'm hurt...
Is there an age limit for starting a career with the police in the US? This will vary by state and by department, but generally speaking age 21 tends to be the minimum across the country.
How long is the education before you starting working? Police academies can be anywhere from a month to as much as a year, with 6-7 months being the average.
The reason I'm asking (I'm in Norway) is that over here I see a "problem" in school broilers just out of high school and the military, with little or no work/life experience to bring with them into service. The students at the police academy here are very young! Not such a good thing, really. It's no different in the United States. The average patrol cop today is usually in his mid 20's or younger, this may be his first real job and is often still living with his parents. 30 years ago, the average patrol cop may have been in the same age group, but usually had military experience behind him.
It's become a real concern because a large number of cops were hired towards the end of, and right after, the Vietnam War and these officers are retiring in large numbers. You're not seeing the same level of experience as before.
What is the upper age limit to become a police officer in the US? Depends on the agency. We've hired officers that were in their 50's. Some agencies, by law, have upper age limits. Sometimes it's due to mandatory retirement ages (especially in Federal law enforcement) and if you hire too late, you won't have worked enough years to get a pension when you reach that age. Others, like the California Highway Patrol, have their hiring parameters actually spelled out in law (the California Vehicle Code in the CHP's case) which can only be changed by an act of the legislature and approved by the executive branch.
How do you qualify, and how long is the education/training? There is a selection process that varies, but usually involves a written test, a physical agility test, an oral board selection process, a comprehensive background investigation, a medical examination, and a psychological screening. As stated above, academies can be anywhere from 1 to 12 months long, with 6-7 months being commonplace.
Do you ever "badge out" fellow LEO's when they break the law? I'll answer it this way: have I given warnings to off-duty cops? Yes. But I also have given many warnings to ordinary civilians as well. I would say that for every cop I have let off with a warning, I have let 1000 more civilians go as well. And such warnings would only apply to minor traffic infractions; anything more serious like DUI or domestic violence, and my hands are tied.
How do you feel about lawyers and do you often get beaten in court? I personally don't like them, but dealing with them is part of the job. As far as being beaten in court, you can't let it get to you, it's also part of the job. However, I've gotten far more convictions than acquittals on my cases. With the acquittals I simply learn from my mistakes.
1) What goes on in a cops mind that makes him/her keep beating someone like Rodney King even after he has clearly given up? Well Diver0001, without getting into specifics, let's just say that it was a combination of poor techniques and letting your adrenaline do the thinking for you. Of course, until you have been in their situation, you can't really know what it's like.
2) And on a related question. Do cops brag about this kind of thing in the locker room? No, and you need to stop watching those really bad movies about how us mean cops are always scheming to violate some poor citizen's civil rights. Believe it or not, all we are interested in is going home in the same physical condition as when we arrived for work.
3) It seems to me that if the police have a constitutional monopoly on the use of violence against members of the public that people who enter the force should be screened for their ability to handle this power responsibly. Does this happen? If so, how is the screening done? Comprehensive background checks and psychological exams are part of the screening process.
(continued)
But seriously, it's because you guys have answered all the questions (even the loaded ones) really well and informatively. 
