Every so often on a TV cop show I’ve seen some reference to either a plain-clothes cop, or an off-duty cop in civilian clothing, being identified as a cop by unsavoury bad guys. (eg "I was in the coffee shop and the gang members in the corner “made” me).
I could understand this in the late '60s, '70s, and early '80s simply because of hair-length standards of the time. But since then, now that lots of guys have short hair (and in the case of female cops, presumably and hair-length notwithstanding) what is it that allows a cop to be “made”? Or is this just a TV thing?
I’ve spoken to local detectives before and have run into them in bars. Had I not known who they were I never would have guessed that they were cops by the way they handled themselves. They just seemed like normal people out for a drink.
Now I could have been an asshole and outed them, but instead we just nodded at each other. And of course I left before I had too many drinks that night.
The cops I know, I’d have no reason to know they were cops when off duty*. No similar haircuts or how they dress or anything like that. The only giveaways I can think of are the recent prevalence (with a healthy dose of confirmation bias on my part) of big forearm tattoos that a lot of cops seem to have.
The only other thing I can think of, that I’ve noticed, are the shoes. A friend of mine had a run-in with an undercover cop when he was younger. He mentioned that as soon as the cop tapped him on the shoulder, he noticed the all black shoes and black socks “like it’s the only pair of shoes he owns”. Since then I have noticed off duty cops wearing all black shoes/socks. But so do a lot of people, so it’s not exactly definitive.
and the mustache.
*except for one. I’ve interacted with her once or twice a week for years and I’ve only seen her without her gun once. Even off duty, in street clothes, she still has her gun on her hip.
My son has a good friend who is a cop(well, he has a couple of LE friends).
But, one comes to the house if we have a cook out or fish fry. He seems perfectly normal. Until he’s had one too many. Then we get the stories of all his cop stuff. It’s actually kinda sad.
Otherwise nice guy. Wife always had to drive home.
Around here a lot of departments have started to allow beards. Hair styles are still short enough that we all just look like regular guys. Most don’t want to be identified as cops because then we have to hear the story about every cop who gave you a ticket and why you didn’t deserve it.
Isn’t it possible that one of them recognized that specific individual? Cops interact with unsavory people while in uniform, all the time. It’s inherent to the job. Maybe one of those folks was previously questioned or even arrested by that particular cop, and remembered his face.
Oh lord. I think I may have described a interaction we had with a cop. He seemed genuinely interested.
The interaction ended with not too much drama. But believe me there was drama.
That was what I emphasized, to the cop friend. Because I thought it was funny. Not the ticket.
Hah! I was that asshole once. I parked a block away, then walked towards the bar (ProTip). While walking I try to be situationally aware. I noticed a car that looked like an undercover cop car. Guy sitting in it had a good view of the bar.
I went in and looked around, it was the same old crowd of people I knew. So I whistled for everyone’s attention and announced that 5-O was parked, watching.
We all walked out to the sidewalks en masse to look at the car, then went back in. I had two beers (free!).
Back in the day the standing joke was that you could tell “undercover” FBI agents by their Members Only jackets that were almost like a uniform. I worked narcotics for most of my career and remember “getting made” once while buying a sandwich. I was in causal street clothes - jeans, probably beat up sneakers and a shirt that was long enough to cover my weapon. I had longish hair and a couple of days beard growth Three guys came into the shop who fit the stereo typical “gang banger” appearance. I was minding my own business and waiting for my cheesesteak while they ordered their food. After a few minutes one of them came over and said, “You’re a cop, right?” I said, “Yep. Is it that obvious? How did you know?” He said something along the lines of “We didn’t make you nervous when we came in”. It was a friendly interaction. So, not appearance but behavior that gave me away. You can reach your own conclusions as to what that implies.
They have a certain stance. That comes from standing a lot. Look closely, it’s equal parts somewhat head up, shoulders back, and a study in calm. It’s entirely neutral, non aggressive. But it’s still straight up and kinda planted. It’s similar to soldiers sometimes.
In addition, they stand remarkably still, even where others are animated, they are not really.
Thirdly, very casually, in casual conversation, they look at the exits. More than most people might.