Ask A Cop!!! Post Your Questions Here!

[Knight1989]

Great idea for a thread. Here's my question (brace yourself, they're good ones....):

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?

2) And on a related question. Do cops brag about this kind of thing in the locker room?

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?

R..

I'll try and answer your questions
1) I'm not going to give my views on the Rodney King thing, they are differant than what the media portrayed. But as for cops who use excessive force, again it can be a gray area. You have to remimber that we have all the time in the world to secound quess what an officer did, they had less than one secound to make a decision in a fight for thier life. With that said however, I have zero tollerance for clearly marked excesive force. I couldn't begin to tell you what goes through a persons mind that is doing that, since I have never known anyone that has done it. Being a Use of Force instructor I know it happens, but I really cant tell you what the mindset is of a person that commits it. But it is trully disgusting and cast a bad shadow over all police. But I do think many of the media portrayed "excesive force" situations are not in actuality.
2) They better not brag about it. Theres not much tollerance for that sort of thing.
3) We do psych screening, interviews, background checks, etc.. to screen out people that may be more prone that violance. Even during training we are constantly watching and evaluating to look for signs that a person may be excessive. Most of the time that personallity type is easy to catch, but some do slip through the cracks.

 

[Knight1989]

OK, cop question!! Why does a cop follow right up on your tail gate for several miles before pulling you over? I have always wanted to slam on the brakes. This isn't just a Indiana thing either.

Might be trying to run your plate, gain more probable cause, or maybe you just havent done anything wrong yet. Could be lots of reasons.

 

[ShakaZulu]

I think if you look at what the cops have to deal with, "scum of the earth on a daily basis", I can see why they all become "D" over time, but that said, I still don't like them. I have a difficult time complying to any rules, so I get to deal with them rather too often, or my laywer does.

PS. I also drive a Mustang, and that thing only starts to run properly at 85mph?

 

[Goose75]

Question: Do officers have yearly training and testing on the local laws and regulations they are enforcing? Many times (in a social setting), I have talked with officers and found their knowledge either cursory or out of date. I would think this is problematic when trying to conduct ones job. I realize an officer can't be an expert on the law or know every one but they should have a strong knowledge of the portion they are hired to enforce. Training and minimum test standards would be a good screening for who needs some refresher training. I’ve always been curious whether some are slipping through the cracks or training/testing is not conducted effectively.

 

[chip104]

1.) Tazers: keep them or lose them?

2.) What are some pet peeves of yours when you pull someone over? (give us some tips of what not to do the next time we're pulled over)


Thanks guys!

 

[DeputyDan]

My question:

My grandfather passed away some years ago and I ended up with his handgun.

Do I need a permit to own?
Do I need some type of permit to keep in the dash or trunk of my auto?

FYI - I had the gun disposed of since I had small kids at the time - but I always wondered about these issues!

 

[TCDiver1]

if by "badge out" you mean the old standby "professional courtesy" then yes, I've done that before.

I probably wouldn't for a OVI (DUI) but for minor things, sure. Same for the firebriars too.

If that's selective law enforcement, so be it. I also don't write everyone I stop so it all works out.

Thx for an honest answer guys. Sounds reasonable but I would like to see a realistic stat comparing John Q Public with LEO's when it comes to such infractions.

From what i know, there would be a huge difference and around here it wouldn't be because LEO's suddenly become perfectly law abiding citizens once they take the oath. Most i know are wild and crazy to the Nth degree and i know more than a few. From local city Barney Fife types to DEA & FBI Agents. But of course, i am generalizing here.

Great idea for a thread by the way. I hope everyone keeps it civil.

 

[TCDiver1]

1.) Tazers: keep them or lose them?

I'm not a LEO, never played one on TV but i did save a pile of money using Geico ..... seriously, this reminded me of a funny true story.

A friend of mine is a Federal Agent. Some years ago a Congress-person was on the "sticky foam" bandwagon as in she wanted sticky foam to replace handguns for LEO's. When she asked my friend what he thought of it, he had one of those moments of perfect mental clarity.

His response: sure ma'am, i think its a great idea, as long you're the first one through the door carrying it.

 

[DivePartner1]

In Wisconsin, the second DUI/DWI is considered "criminal". Now, that being said, the chances of you actually sitting are very slim.

TC, thanks for posting these Qs and As! This is great stuff.

As a warning to readers who might bank on a 'first bite is free' theory, jail time can depend on the judge as much as statutory minimums.

Years ago we had a judge in southern Maryland who was famous for giving all first offenders that maximum jail time allowed. This was at a time when the 'custom' in higher crime urban counties to give 'parole before judgment' as a freebe to first offenders (provided they were lucky enough not to have killed anyone). The judge also ALWAYS revoked driving privileges for years, in a rural country where this hurt.

Judge Bowen was often appealed, but not by everyone, and he was upheld more than he was reversed, and DUI deaths in Calvert County were very low while he was on the bench.

In Virginia, one trial judge refuses to honor breathalzyer results, but many, many more still do. Nothing is certain once you're in the system. And many might be surprised how many employees and managers lose jobs when undislcosed criminal records come to light.

 

[dherbman]

What's the best way to put you guys at ease during a stop? I'm a little bit tense at times and have actually been drawn on in the past. This might relate to my bubbly personality but in reality is probably the result of what my wife calls CAD (Compulsive A-hole disorder). I'm much better now that I'm diving regularly.

Seriously, I've been handled and mishandled by officers in the past. How do you get the job done without taking or giving the crap that can be so prevalent during stops?