# Ask the cop
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [December 2, 2002, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973 "2002-12-02T16:25:52Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 13
### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2003, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/241 "2003-01-11T01:23:47Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Octavia Smythe-Bunion I. Esq. \*
> \*\*How many uniforms do you have (for daily use - not talking about dress uniforms here)? Do you have one for every day of the week? Are they machine washable? Do you ever have to get them altered to fit better? How long do they last?
>
> Do you guys get department-issued shoes - or can you pick your own provided they’re a certain color/style? How comfortable are they? \*\*
I have two long-sleeve shirts, two short-sleeve shirts, three polo shirts (which we can wear as a regular uniform shirt) and three pairs of pants. I usually buy one of each shirt and a pair of pants a year to replace the worn ones (if anything gets damaged on-duty, the city buys the replacements). The uniforms are machine washable.
All of our officers wear black boots (regular shoes don’t work on the beach, because they get filled with sand). The light boots I wear in the summer are pretty comfortable, but the all-leather waterproof ones I wear in the winter are a bit of a pain.
We have a uniform policy that sets exactly what types of shirts, pants, boots, etc., we can wear, but they allow variations as long as they look right.
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2003, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/242 "2003-01-11T01:43:55Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Superdude \*
> \*\*1) Is there any kind of animosity between patrolmen (ie, _REAL_ cops) and, say, correctional officers? What about security guards?
\*\*
Around here, we have a pretty good relationship with corrections officers. They can be a lot of help, and everyone wants them on your side when you haul a fighter into the sally-port!
As for security guards, I agree that there is a general distrust/lack of respect. That can be different depending on the guard. I’ve known a few that were very professional and were well respected. The worst ones are the security guards who try to act like they are cops. Those types of “wanna-be cops” can be very aggravating.
> [@](#):
>
> \*\*2) How frustrated does it make the average officer, in your opinion, when someone stopped for a traffic violation asks to see the radar readout and check the calibration dates for the gun? Or tries to throw out a name, such as “my brother’s a cop?”
\*\*
Here we don’t show them the radar reading. We consider it too much of a safety risk to have the person get out of the car and come back to our car. There is no law/regulation requiring us to show the reading in Washington, though the judge may throw the ticket out if we don’t. All of my officers would rather risk losing the ticket than to do something unsafe.
“My brother’s a cop”, “I know the Chief”, etc., will do nothing to help a person get out of a ticket, and can be very annoying.
What I hate even worse is when you stop an off-duty cop and when you approach the window he just flips out his badge. I _may_ be willing to use my discretion for another cop, but I can’t stand it when another officer takes it for granted that he or she won’t get a ticket because they are a cop. I think that is disrespectful to me and to the badge.
> [@](#):
>
> \*\*3) Along the same lines, in your experience, what is the “general” attitude among the force with people who, when stopped by an unmarked car, request a marked one, as well? Do the steps that civilians take to ensure their own safety resonate in a positive or negative manner?
\*\*
I think most cops don’t have a problem with that, as long as the request is reasonable and reasonably made. Just demanding that another officer be called to the scene will get the average officer’s back up.
> [@](#):
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> \*\*4) But it seems to me, IMHO, that ELEVEN times in a touch much for someone with his hands cuffed behind him. \*\*
I read about that case, and I certainly wonder about the justification. I’ve discussed this case with several other officers, and we all have the same questions.
But my question is less about the number of shots than why the first one was fired. Once the decision to shoot is made, we will continue to shoot until the threat is eliminated. In most cases, that means as long as the person is still moving towards the officer, he or she will continue to fire. _If_ the officer was justified to shoot at first, then he would (theoretically) be justified to continue to shoot until the person is stopped.
I will be interested to see how that case ends up.
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### Author:  [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/243 "2003-01-11T02:03:24Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Badge \*
> \*\ ***“My brother’s a cop”, “I know the Chief”, etc., will do nothing to help a person get out of a ticket, and can be very annoying.**
I was once pulled over and got no ticket when the officer found out my brother is a cop. Of course, the stop was probably only going to be a warning in the first place, since it was just a burned out taillight. It was also in my brother’s town and I was driving my brother’s car. Maybe this wasn’t much of a counterexample.😛
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2003, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/244 "2003-01-11T02:28:12Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by StGermain \*
> \*\ ***Badge** - What do you think about the dog that was killed by the cop during the traffic stop this week, here in Tennessee? \*\*
For anyone not familiar with the case, here is the story and video. If you’re an animal lover, it will be disturbing to watch.
> **[The Tennessean](https://www.tennessean.com)**
>
> Nashville news, weather, Predators, Titans, Vanderbilt, Vols, music, restaurant, things to do and investigations from the Tennessean and USA TODAY NETWORK staff.
That’s a tough one! I’ve watched that video a dozen times, and based solely on that, I think that the officer was justified. I can see the dog come out of the car, run into the dark at that officer, then the officer backing away as the dog continues to come at him.
Please understand that _justified_ isn’t necessarily the same as _right_ or _necessary_. There may have been other options available, but that officer under those circumstances decided that was the thing to do.
I have to put myself in that officer’s position. A dog that he doesn’t know runs at him out of the dark. He has only a second to decide if that dog is going to bite him or not. In that second (or less) he has to read everything about that dog, his surroundings and situation that he’s in, and add that to his own life experiences about dogs.
It’s said that a cop has to make decisions in an instant that will take lawyers years to decide if he was right. This is such a circumstance.
I feel very sorry for the family that had to see that, but I also feel sorry for the officer who has been thrown into a media circus because of a split-second decision.
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2003, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/245 "2003-01-11T02:32:33Z")
I’d just like to acknowledge everyone who has thanked me for this thread. I’m very gratified that everyone is enjoying it and learning something about the secret world of cops. And I’m having a lot of fun, too.
I do keep dreaming that **Cecil** himself will stop in to thank me for my efforts . . . (oh please, oh please, oh please).
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### Author:  [@badmana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/badmana)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2003, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/246 "2003-01-11T08:15:05Z")
I think you need to sacrifice small children to get **Cecil** to notice a thread.
And mental note, no racking up tickets in the states.
Another question that came to me while I was driving home (passing a police station). I assume, since crime is a 24 hour thing, that police stations are manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week etc. Are special departments kept open as well? Do you pull midnight shifts as a detective?
Would a special case keep your department open 24 hours a day? Has that ever happened?
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### Author:  [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2003, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/247 "2003-01-11T09:03:41Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Badge \*
> \*\*I read about that case, and I certainly wonder about the justification. I’ve discussed this case with several other officers, and we all have the same questions.
>
> But my question is less about the number of shots than why the first one was fired. Once the decision to shoot is made, we will continue to shoot until the threat is eliminated. In most cases, that means as long as the person is still moving towards the officer, he or she will continue to fire. _If_ the officer was justified to shoot at first, then he would (theoretically) be justified to continue to shoot until the person is stopped.
>
> I will be interested to see how that case ends up. \*\*
A lot of us here would, too. I’m not sure how much media it’s getting outside of KY, but they’re all over it here. Here’s a link to the story:
[http://www.wfn.org/2002/12/msg00144.html](http://www.wfn.org/2002/12/msg00144.html)
Did you become aware of this through the media, or was their departmental interest? Does that make sense? Did you see this on the news, or become aware at the station?
By the way, this is one of the most informative and necessary threads I’ve seen in a long time. Thanks for educating us. Now, can you help me out with this ticket? 🙂
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2003, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/248 "2003-01-11T14:04:56Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Superdude \*
> \*\*Did you see this on the news, or become aware at the station?
> \*\*
I saw it on a website for cops. I haven’t seen it through any media in my area (which surprises me).
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2003, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/249 "2003-01-11T14:09:03Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by badmana \*
> \*\*Are special departments kept open as well? Do you pull midnight shifts as a detective?
>
> Would a special case keep your department open 24 hours a day? Has that ever happened? \*\*
Special departments, like investigations, are usually dayshift, Monday through Friday. However, detectives are always on call and come out at any time when needed. When working a homicide, I’ve seen detectives work 36 hours straight on a hot case.
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### Author:  [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)
#### Post date: [January 11, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/250 "2003-01-11T16:38:20Z")
Interesting thread to read, especially for someone in the UK. Congratulations for starting it.
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### Author:  [@Cartooniverse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cartooniverse)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2003, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/251 "2003-01-13T03:42:13Z")
Your remarks about what the public perception based on television and media is spot-on. I’ve responded quite a few times to a situation where the family members are dictating what we can or cannot do as EMS workers. They’ve heard an idea, seen something on The Discovery Channel or had something happen to them. It tends to escalate with the severity of the call, and without exception makes our job harder to do.
Having stood next to police officers as they help us handle a drunk DUI victim, I do not envy them their burden. My job is a LOT more clearcut, moment to moment. There is no judgement call when it comes to medical intervention, failing to follow proper protocols could cost someone their life, and/or me my card. An officer - as was the case in Tennessee- has a second to make a judgement call that involves ALL officers AND the family members present.
Take that scene ( which I have watched a few times too, on streaming video ) to an awful but entirely plausible conclusion. The dog leaps, bites the officer who decided NOT to shoot. The family members struggle to get up to intervene. One officer is being bitten, others are both watching their colleague be attacked AND maintaining a safe crime scene with their prisoners on the ground. Very messy. Now, what if another officer tried to get involved in the bite? It’s an animal- unpredictable and dangerous. ( the Dog Lovers in the crowd can stop reading now…). Now you might have had TWO officers involved. Even MORE dangerous all around.
I’ve no idea if that man is a dog owner or dog lover. It hardly matters, I am sure he will be haunted by this event for the rest of his career. He did what he had to with zero time to sit and ponder, to maintain a safe scene.
Great, great thread. I’d be proud to show up and work with you at 2:00 am on the side of a snowy road. —shudder–
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### Author:  [@AmbushBug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmbushBug)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2003, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/252 "2003-01-13T03:51:14Z")
Inspired by one of many “rants” in [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=156040) OP, my question:
Under what circumstances can a police officer (at least you, in WA, not necessarily in FL like the referenced OP) issue a citation for vehicular conduct observed only on private property? Some examples:
I pull out of my parking place at the supermarket and don’t click on the seatbelt 'til just before I pull into traffic, am I guilty of “no seatbelt” from tooling around in the parking lot?
I’ve got a BAC of .15 while sleeping in the driver’s seat of my car, in my driveway. Keys in pocket, and I shwear, ossifer, I was jsut got “warm” over there in my living room and came to get this here CD from the car when I came over all tired-like.
I realize also that there might be conditions attached to the FL learners’ permit referenced which would additionally prohibit operation of a vehicle on private property (even if otherwise legal); that’s not my focus.
And, as everyone keeps saying, this is a wonderful thread.
AmbushBug
[sub]hic[/sub]
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2003, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/253 "2003-01-13T15:31:18Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Cartooniverse \*
> \*\*Your remarks about what the public perception based on television and media is spot-on. I’ve responded quite a few times to a situation where the family members are dictating what we can or cannot do as EMS workers.
\*\*
I know what you mean. TV shows make things hard sometimes, but funny other times. I recently had a case with a stolen purse. The woman was shocked, SHOCKED, that I couldn’t obtain the suspect’s DNA from the recovered purse.
> [@](#):
>
> \*\*I’d be proud to show up and work with you at 2:00 am on the side of a snowy road. —shudder-- \*\*
Thank you, and I feel the same. It’s too bad that’s exactly where we would probably get to meet, too.
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2003, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/254 "2003-01-13T15:34:03Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by AmbushBug \*
> \*\*Under what circumstances can a police officer (at least you, in WA, not necessarily in FL like the referenced OP) issue a citation for vehicular conduct observed only on private property? \*\*
In Washington state, infractions (such as no seatbelt) can only be committed in roadways. The only exceptions are Negligent Driving and Parking in a Handicapped Parking spot, and any infractions if they are involved in an accident.
Most criminal violations have to be on the roadway, too. Exceptions are DUI, Being in Physical Control of a vehicle while under the influence (essentially, this is parking in the roadway while drunk), Driving while Suspended/Revoked, Reckless Driving, Vehicular Assault and Vehicular homicide. These can be committed anywhere in the state, including your driveway.
> [@](#):
>
> \*\*I’ve got a BAC of .15 while sleeping in the driver’s seat of my car, in my driveway. Keys in pocket, and I shwear, ossifer, I was jsut got “warm” over there in my living room and came to get this here CD from the car when I came over all tired-like.
\*\*
You’re pretty safe here, unless I can develop some evidence that you drove to that position within the last two hours and haven’t had anything to drink since you parked. It would be very difficult to make a case like that.
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### Author:  [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2003, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/255 "2003-01-13T16:56:05Z")
Hi **Badge** , great thread. I am curious about your opinion on something that happened to my husband this weekend. He was driving home and noticed a driver on the highway who was driving very erratically, speeding up, slowing down, drifting over the line. He went to pass, and saw the driver drinking something out of a brown paper bag. He called 911 and reported the driver and gave a description of the car, then followed the car to see if he got off the highway. My questions are if he:
1. did the right thing in reporting the driver (at what point should an observer call 911 about another driver), and
2. should he have followed the driver? I thought he was putting himself at risk by being near a possibly drunk driver, but he wanted to make sure the police could find him (he left when he saw the two police cars approach the driver.)
Do police appreciate other drivers reporting each other? Do you get a lot of “tattletale calls” from over-zealous people? If you do pull someone over based on a call from another driver, do you tell the person that someone reported him, or do you treat it like any other stop?
Thanks!
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### Author:  [@aenea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aenea)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2003, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/256 "2003-01-13T17:45:13Z")
Unless you live in Montana, that is…
In Montana, (and any other state with laws like this), if you are within X amount of feet of your vehicle, and have your car keys in on or around your body, you can and often will be charged with DUI.
You could be sleeping on a park bench near your vehicle and still get the DUI.
This comes directly from a case where a fellow left a bar, slept in his vehicle, apparently woke in a “blind drunk” and drove, killing several people on the road. No, I don’t have a cite, just recalling from memory when that particular law passed up there. I was bartending at the time, and had an interest in DUI laws for my patrons.
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [January 13, 2003, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/257 "2003-01-13T18:16:50Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Velma \*
> \*\*1) did the right thing in reporting the driver (at what point should an observer call 911 about another driver),
\*\*
Oh, absolutely! We need all the help that we can get, since we can’t be everywhere at once.
I’d say to report it as soon as you believe that there is a problem. My feeling is that I would rather get sent to a hundred mistaken reports than let one DUI kill someone because we didn’t get there in time.
Thank your husband for me. I appreciate people who make the effort to keep the roads safe.
> [@](#):
>
> \*\*2) should he have followed the driver?
\*\*
That depends. Usually the dispatcher will tell the caller whether or not to follow the car (at a safe distance). If an officer is fairly close and will be able to get there soon, it is best to know exactly where the suspect car is.
> [@](#):
>
> \*\*If you do pull someone over based on a call from another driver, do you tell the person that someone reported him, or do you treat it like any other stop?
\*\*
At least in Washington, we can’t make a stop solely based on a citizen complaint. We have to observe a violation ourselves before making the stop. So usually we won’t involve the reporting party at all, but in some cases we may contact him or her to ask for a statement about what they observed, and then they might have to testify in court as well.
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### Author:  [@dfarrales](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dfarrales)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2003, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/258 "2003-01-24T19:34:34Z")
here’s my question regarding joining the PD (originally posted in the general forum)…
i applied several months ago and rec’vd my letter last week saying that i’ve qualified to take the written exam and physical agility test this weekend. my question… what do these test entail? i haven’t done any studying or even physical training in preperation for this initial test since i had no idea that they would only give my 1 week notice. am i in trouble???
also, i know the academy for CHP requires you to “stay on-site” but you’re allowed to go home weekends. is the PD academy the same? i can’t seem to find the answers i’m looking for on the SacPD site.
thanks,
Deo
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### Author:  [@Badge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Badge)
#### Post date: [January 24, 2003, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/259 "2003-01-24T22:55:20Z")
I answered this in GQ, but I thought I should post a reply here as well:
The written tests are mostly just reading comprehension and the like. They are just to see that you are of average intelligence and able to read and write well. Entry level tests shouldn’t require any prior knowledge of law enforcement.
Physical tests vary widely. Currently, all agencies in Washington use the same test, since it is the test administered prior to acceptance to the state Basic Academy. The test requirements are here.
As for how California does it, I have no idea.
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### Author:  [@\_etalhea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_etalhea)
#### Post date: [January 25, 2003, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-cop/139973/260 "2003-01-25T00:37:32Z")
Me again!
I just thought of this one while riding down the road today, the opposite way from an officer sitting around a sharp curve running radar.
What’s the official policy on other motorists blinking their lights to warn oncoming traffic? I usually wait until I’m out of the cops field of view before doing that. Can you be ticketed or something for doing that? How do you guys feel about it?
Other people have saved my ass several times by letting me know I’m about to run into radar, so I try to do the good samaritan thing and warn others. I guess my personal feeling is that it slows people down, which is (or should be) the objective of speeding tickets. So in that sense it’s a good thing.
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