# What’s with this key a cop is wearing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 19, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702 "2022-05-19T17:27:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/1 "2022-05-19T17:27:50Z")
Starts at 52 seconds in. The Officer has, what appears to be an old fashioned skeleton key hanging off his epaulet next to a handcuff key. I keep my cuff key in my shirt pocket and another hidden in a belt keeper. But all our holding cells use electronic locks, we don’t walk around with cell keys on us. Is this for real or just some kind of decorative wear? Albuquerque PD isn’t really still using jail cells that are secured by skeleton key locks, are they? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/zQNRlm0hgQ0/maxresdefault.jpg "Police: Teen attempting to carjack couple shot in head by victim") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQNRlm0hgQ0) ---
**Author:** ![EDOK9Trainer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/838e76/32.png) [@EDOK9Trainer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EDOK9Trainer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/2 "2022-05-19T18:40:28Z")
I cannot answer about what APD is using as far as keys but you still see keys like this once in a while but I am a lot older I would imagine and these were common keys at one time. It does look like a key for our old lockups from back in the 70’s and 80’s but those were eventually phased out. This key could open a locker of some sort or something similar. But keys hanging off the uniform is not a very smart move in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/3 "2022-05-19T19:13:39Z")
I’d be a pretty insecure key if it were actually something in use. Certainly doesn’t look like it would work in any modern lock. I’d guess decoration. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/4 "2022-05-19T19:19:33Z")
But that’s an odd decoration. And it’s fight next to a functional handcuff key. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/5 "2022-05-19T19:27:22Z")
Keep in mind a lot of lock systems used by law enforcement even today are not very pick-resistant, many of them rely more on the fact you can’t easily get a chance to pick them. Most police knew that typical handcuffs were very easy to escape from for someone trained in it, and there are training techniques they’ve developed over time to mitigate that. For example, until the 1960s it was standard to cuff people in front instead of with their hands behind their back (the old media trope of someone putting both wrists together in front of them and dramatically saying “take me away officer!” seems out of place in modern times but that was actually how you were typically cuffed back in the day.) Another example is the keyhole is generally positioned up and away from the hands which makes it mechanically more difficult for someone to get a pick into the hole. They also have covers they can put over the chain, high security cuffs that **don’t** use the typical universal handcuff key and etc etc. But at core most of the security of a handcuff has been reliant on the fact that most people can’t pick locks and that with proper use you can make it so a prisoner has a much reduced chance to pick the cuffs even if they do know how. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/6 "2022-05-19T19:33:35Z")
Looks like a dog whistle ! > **[𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬\* Dog Whistle for Recall with 20"/50cm Strap, Adjustable...](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Natural-Whistle-Barking-Ultrasonic-Whistles/dp/B07SRSBQ9D)** > > Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟬\* Dog Whistle for Recall with 20"/50cm Strap, Adjustable Frequency, Ultrasonic Copper Core, Dog Training Whistle for Recall Tricks, Long Distance Dog Whistle Stops Barking at Amazon UK. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/7 "2022-05-19T19:46:26Z")
I’ve seen (and used) cell door keys that look like that. They’re old-fashioned but updating equipment often isn’t a priority. ---
**Author:** ![EDOK9Trainer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/838e76/32.png) [@EDOK9Trainer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EDOK9Trainer)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/8 "2022-05-19T19:50:44Z")
You’re looking at the wrong key. The one you compared this to is a handcuff key. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/9 "2022-05-19T20:21:00Z")
I think it’s a visual reminder that the other thing hanging from his epaulet is – a key. Sort of a category label. Because he grew up in Mayberry. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/10 "2022-05-19T20:47:34Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > Looks like a dog whistle ! Some handcuff keys do indeed look like dog whistles. I carry one in my uniform shirt pocket that does. But it’s the skeleton key I’m interested in. ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/11 "2022-05-19T20:54:32Z")
Jail doors can have lockable observation windows or pass-through slots. The locks or keys for those don’t necessarily need to be high-security mechanisms, because you can’t escape through those openings. The officer’s old-fashioned key could be for something like that, or a locker or a property box. If he uses it a lot, he may just want to keep it where it is handy. The key has a fairly long shank/shaft, and a diamond-shaped shoulder or bow. I googled a bunch vintage key images, but haven’t spotted anything quite like it yet. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/12 "2022-05-19T20:55:04Z")
It looks like [the key to an old fashioned police call box.](https://www.ebay.com/itm/334440463602?hash=item4dde347cf2:g:A7YAAOSw8PtifxO3) But that makes me wonder if there’s any place in Albuquerque that still has an old fashioned call box. ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/13 "2022-05-19T21:08:22Z")
Now that there are several serious replies (even if no definitive answer), here’s a slight hijack people here may enjoy. If you’re interested in locks and lockpicking, check out this YouTuber, the Lock Picking Lawyer. > **[LockPickingLawyer](https://www.youtube.com/c/lockpickinglawyer)** > > This channel aims to educate consumers about weaknesses and defects in security devices so they can make better security decisions. It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: do not use any of the information presented in my videos for... And welcome to the world of “lock sport”: picking locks (ethically and legally) as a hobby and sport! ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/14 "2022-05-19T21:10:18Z")
Well, I’m so curious about it I decided to try to contact Officer Fred Duran and ask him. I was told he didn’t work for APD anymore. Then a search of the web shows he actually was fired! But not for anything regarding that key. Looks like he’s now working as a project manager for a private company. I’ll see if I can shoot him an email. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/15 "2022-05-20T01:29:26Z")
I have seen elevator keys that look like that. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/16 "2022-05-20T03:27:47Z")
“Hi. I’m the Lock Picking Lawyer and today we are going to unlock this old castle using nothing but this police officer…” ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/17 "2022-05-20T03:39:12Z")
I inherited two of them, exactly like the one in the video, from the 60’s/70’s. They were for a couple of old school style mail drop boxes, like the green one here, [![](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/JMJWGC/us-postal-service-blue-mailbox-dropbox-and-grey-relay-mail-box-on-JMJWGC.jpg) ](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/JMJWGC/us-postal-service-blue-mailbox-dropbox-and-grey-relay-mail-box-on-JMJWGC.jpg) all located near the usual places our towns police directed traffic. I assume inside was just rain gear and the like. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/18 "2022-05-20T09:46:12Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > old school style mail drop boxes, like the green one here, Did you mean “grey”? ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/19 "2022-05-20T09:50:04Z")
Doh, the ones in town were olive drab green. Gotta learn to edit while I provide more stuff and not be as confusing… ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702/20 "2022-05-20T14:40:32Z")
That’s a key to a Traffic Control Cabinet. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-with-this-key-a-cop-is-wearing/964702.md?page=2)