Ask A Cop!!! Post Your Questions Here!

[dherbman]

I know what I've done, I know it's illegal and I know you caught me. Why is it that some officers feel this need to lecture? Man, I hate that and when I hate something, I'm really vocal about it. It seems very unprofessional and instantly pushes my hot button, which always seems to result in a memorable event I'd rather forget.

Thanks,

Dave

Oh, any suggestions on dealing with an officer who thinks he's on the lecture circuit? My methods are definitely not working out for me.

 

[H2Andy]

personally, since i too hate lectures from cops, i try not to break the law

 

[Knight1989]

There are others, including myself, who weigh each individual offer on its merits. It's no secret that many restaurants offer discounted meals to cops. On the surface, they appear to be doing something nice for the police, and that may well be the case. In many cases though, they get free armed security for the duration of your visit. If I stay an hour and get a $10 meal for free, they just got a bargain, because it's pretty tough finding an armed security guard for $10/hour, much less a police officer.

This is completly correct, often after a store is robbed, they suddenly offer discounts for police in order to attract police to frerquent the place. Honestly I dont have a problem with it. We always tip, HUGE!! And yea we take the free coffee at the gas stations. We stay real friendly with all the conveniance store guys, you'd be suprised at how much good intell you get from them about drunks and fights.

Please dont think I was advocating drinking and driving. Just simply stating a scientific fact that 1 or 2 drinks consumed with a meal will more than likely not place the average sized individual over .05 BAC

 

[MikeC]

Ron and others, when inside the station do you go without your sidearm? Or, is it where it belongs just in case??

Chip, I'm not a police officer but I have worn body armor, the body armor I described is not hard in any way UNLESS the officer has inserted a ceramic plate in the carrier, vest, to increase the stopping ability of the vest. The armor a SWAT team wears could be part intimidation but not the much lighter stuff a patrol officer would be wearing.

 

[Goose75]

...finally, be aware that under the Constitution, the police neither make law nor
determine whether a law is unconstitutional. it is their duty to enforce the law
as it is given to them until a court tells them otherwise.

I actually agree that the officer should not be required to determine constitutionality of the law. The parallel I thought was interesting is that soldiers are required to refuse an illegal policy or order rather than enforce the politician's instruction. I think it is a double standard. Not that it is really enforced on the little guy.

 

[Goose75]

...I do find it funny that a number of you have had multiple citations within a short amount of time. Now...I've had 5 citations in my driving career...all between the ages of 16-18. I finally figured out how to drive, and I haven't been cited since. I must qualify that by also mentioning that I've been stopped twice since then, but never cited. And the last thing I thought of after being stopped what hauling ace...I was too scared!
Great questions so far! Keep 'em coming!

I had around 5 or 6 from 16-18 as well but only one was for something I was actually doing. I think the time and locations had alot to do with it. Teenager out late can't be up to good. I didn't change my driving habits until around 25 but I only received a couple tickets from 18-25 and they were for things I had done. Now I can't even remember when the last one was.

 

[ScubaBabe22]

I have only had one citation (and the cop was rediculous abt it--i'm sorry, but if you saw someone who was lost, doing 45, UNTIL she realized it was 30 and slowed down before the cop pulled out of no where) but having gotten a citation for a fake ID, i highly recommend avoiding John or Jane Law. Looks reeeaaallly bad on a resume

 

[MikeC]

I actually agree that the officer should not be required to determine constitutionality of the law. The parallel I thought was interesting is that soldiers are required to refuse an illegal policy or order rather than enforce the politician's instruction. I think it is a double standard. Not that it is really enforced on the little guy.

Think about this, it is legal for the police to use tear gas against us but the military can't use it in war because it is a violation of the treaty that prohibits such things as mustard gas and other nerve agents. Why? Because we aren't considered "enemy combatants".

 

[Goose75]

Think about this, it is legal for the police to use tear gas against us but the military can't use it in war because it is a violation of the treaty that prohibits such things as mustard gas and other nerve agents. Why? Because we aren't considered "enemy combatants".

That's correct. In the US we try to keep a clear division between military action and police action for good reason. The rules of engagement should be different.

 

[Goose75]

Ok, here is another question. Why did you decide to become an officer?