Ask A Cop!!! Post Your Questions Here!

[The Mighty Thor]

when i was around 9 years old we went to a county fair in england and one of these kids (about 11 years old) was lipping off a police officer so the officer hand cuffed the kid to a chain link fence for about 40 minutes in the middle of summer and walked away, a wpc came around and had to go find the other pc to uncuff the boy. Is that legal?

That's what we call a lawsuit. Pretty appalling thing to do to an 11 year old. On the other hand, and I'm not justifying what the officer did, however, after mouthing off to a police officer, it sounds like he got off easy. Could have been arrested for disturbing peace, obstruction, inciting a riot, following too closely, or whatever else the officer could have dreamed up, or "might I suggest using your nightstick officer" might have come across his mind, and then a trip to Juvenile Court for your friend.

Generally, POs need probable cause to arrest. In other words, that a crime was "probably" committed and that your friend was "probably" the one who did it. There are also procedures they must follow after placing someone in custody, especially a juvenile. I don't think hancuffing to a fence is one of them. Too bad, unless you're still 9 years old, sounds like the statue of limitations has probably run on filing a lawsuit.

 

[Don Wray]

Another question, we had a big argument about the term "under the influence"

is that like .08 in most states, or is that "legally drunk"

What is the term for when you are not allowed ANY alcohol for whatever reason...usually a DUI or probation? when you cannot even have .02 legally...what's that in legal speak?

That's violation of probation if the order was issued judiciously that the person is not to partake or be around anyone who is drinking alcohol or drugs...usually when a judge sentences a defendant, they don't have to serve out the full sentence and they are placed on probation for period of time. Hence, if the terms are violated, violation of probation and they can receive additional time plus the time remaining on the initial conviction.

 

[Mrs. IndyDiver]

No, I'm not. Plus, the Dells wouldn't be considered SE Wisconsin.

But thanks for reprinting the original post, because some of those number have changed now! Unfortunately, now I'm 33 years old with 11+ years on! Ugh...getting older sucks.

LOL Well I have no idea where the Dells are and I only asked b/c other than Cheese the Dells is all I know about Wisconsin. lol And I don't know much about either.

<------me


My husbands mother is from the Dells and she talkes about it alot. She still has some family there.

 

[TJcop]

That's what we call a lawsuit. Pretty appalling thing to do to an 11 year old. On the other hand, and I'm not justifying what the officer did, however, after mouthing off to a police officer, it sounds like he got off easy. Could have been arrested for disturbing peace, obstruction, inciting a riot, following too closely, or whatever else the officer could have dreamed up, or "might I suggest using your nightstick officer" might have come across his mind, and then a trip to Juvenile Court for your friend.

Generally, POs need probable cause to arrest. In other words, that a crime was "probably" committed and that your friend was "probably" the one who did it. There are also procedures they must follow after placing someone in custody, especially a juvenile. I don't think hancuffing to a fence is one of them. Too bad, unless you're still 9 years old, sounds like the statue of limitations has probably run on filing a lawsuit.

Great... more sue happy people....

First of all, how about having parents teach their children to be more respectful?? Maybe junior wouldn't have found himself handcuffed to that fence if had learned to behave!
Also, you're talking about an incident in England, so I'm not sure how their courts handle suits and any 'statutes of limitations' that may exist.

 

[The Mighty Thor]

....On the other hand, and I'm not justifying what the officer did, however, after mouthing off to a police officer, it sounds like he got off easy...

TJ COP: Nobody's Sue Happy. Did you read the post?


However, Cops need to have thicker skin. Granted POs should be deserving of more respect, a lot more respect than most people on the street give them, but they do great damage to themselves and the reputations of all officers if they stoop to the same level as the people who verbally abuse them. You can't abuse the badge, just b/c you have one

 

[mikerault]

I read the first 40 pages or so...so if it has been asked in the last 44 pages forgive me, but, what do you feel about mandatory drivers license tests and reaction time tests for people over a specific age?

Mike

 

[TJcop]

I read the first 40 pages or so...so if it has been asked in the last 44 pages forgive me, but, what do you feel about mandatory drivers license tests and reaction time tests for people over a specific age?

Mike

I'm 100% in favor of requiring testing of older drivers. I'm not sure what age it should start at, but it needs to be done.

I've seen sooo many accidents caused by the elderly...mostly due to poor vision, hearing, mental capacities or general driving knowledge. Some of them also think that because they're old, they automatically get the right of way!

Yes, young people cause them too...but we have quite a few restrictions on them too.

 

[cdiver2]

I'm 100% in favor of requiring testing of older drivers. I'm not sure what age it should start at, but it needs to be done.

I've seen sooo many accidents caused by the elderly...mostly due to poor vision, hearing, mental capacities or general driving knowledge. Some of them also think that because they're old, they automatically get the right of way!

Yes, young people cause them too...but we have quite a few restrictions on them too.

Someone seems to disagree with you.

Accident statistics indicate that at least four people involved in car accidents die every hour. These accidents could be due to the fault of the driver, the other driver, or due to a faulty vehicle. The important thing to consider is the number of deaths occurring every day, excluding the people involved in car accidents and sustaining severe personal injuries.

The main causes for car accidents are reckless and negligent driving and alcohol.

Teenagers, according to the statistics, cause most car accidents

Inexperience coupled with irresponsible behavior and a lack of respect for the safety precautions are the main causes for such a high number of teenage car accidents.

Another reason is the inattentiveness of the driver. Many people talk while driving, which might prove to be fatal because it distracts the driver from the road. Even though hands free mobile phones are the latest craze, the driver would be unable to concentrate on the road while on the phone. The best option would be to park and then take the call, or not take the call at all while driving. These rules have already been implemented in a number of states.

Inattentiveness can also be caused due to alcohol, drugs, or the driver being distracted by music in the car. This might prove to be perilous to other drivers on the road and might result in either distracting them with reckless driving or causing side or rear end collisions due to inattentiveness. Such negligence can even cause pileups in highways and must be avoided at all costs.

Car accidents can be very traumatic, sometimes affecting the person for the rest of their life. Other than the physical injuries that may result due to the accident, mental pressure might also result. A few precautions can eliminate the prospect of accidents on the roads and provide a safety net. It is advised to follow the safety road rules and not drive while on the phone or while on drugs or alcohol.

Perhaps we should Ban Booze, Mobile telephones and raise the driving age.

 

[mikerault]

My touched a nerve eh? All we see from the statistics is who was charged with the accident, not who caused it. I wonder how many were caused by "I came around a corner doing the speed limit when right in front of me was this car doing 30 miles an hour, I swerved to avoid it and hit x" or "Some white haired igit swerved right in front of me, I had to stomp on the breaks and the guy behind me hit me" In this case, the guy who swerved and the guy behind are charged with the accident while the real causes, the slow moving vehicle and the person who swerved were the real initiating event. Don't be so quick to assume just because someone is charged with the accident that they caused the accident.

I was in my lane, doing the speed limit, when an older lady backed right out into the traffic lane and stopped (she was looking at her dog in the back seat) I had to swerve into oncoming traffic nearly having a head on with a pickup coming the other way. Luckily other than scaring the crap out my passengers and me, no one was hurt.

I don't know how many times I have had to take evasive manuevers because of older folks not driving the speed limit, in the fast lane.

And while I am at it...why does it always seem to be, I am going to catch heck, women who like to hang in the blind spot on the drivers side? I swear nine times out of ten when that happens to me it is a women driver.

Anyway, if true root cause analysis were performed on all rear end, head on and side swipe type accidents I wonder how the statistics would shift? Usually by the time the police get there the true cause is miles down the road, blissfully unaware they just caused a major crackup or commenting to the spouse "Gee honey look at the police in the other lane...wonder were they are off to in such a hurry?"

Mike

 

[Cacia]

pass a new law, take one off the books, please, that is my hope. there comes a point when it all sounds like a good idea, but then enforcement problems dilute the really important laws (imo)

so..what does "dismissed *with prejudice*" mean? I received papers from court on a ticket my daughter apparently received. It appears she submitted a written statement, or something.

She has been driving one year and has been pulled over three times that I know of, and yes, it is on my radar. I know they watch kids more closely...but still, I don't remember getting pulled this much.

women who like to hang in the blind spot on the drivers side? I swear nine times out of ten when that happens to me it is a women driver.

yea...I don't like that either.

But those old folks...you don't want them driving any faster. They know how fast they are capable of I guess.