ask a cop/jailer
- Thread starter ace_of_something
- Start date
Recommended Videos
No, it's evidence. In larger departments the evidence locker is a tightly controled storage area that only special detail officers may enter. It's their whole job to catagorize, keep clean, keep records of, and keep secure that area. In smaller departments it's usually something you have to log if you're entering or exiting and what you put in or took out you'd probably have to fill out a form to get the keys too.ae86gamer said:
Taking things from there would also cost you your job and likely get you a felony charge of 'evidence tampering'.
You mean like a security detail when say; the president comes in town? No, on our dept. you had to have a higher rank to be allowed such sweet sweet easy overtime pay. Or do you mean say like hanging around an urban movie theater on Fridays cuz they've been having problems with people starting fight in the lobby? Yes, it sucks it's boring as hell.Combined said:
If you mean moonlighting. It depends completely on the department's regulations ours you had to request permission and you weren't allowed to wear your uniform but you could still use arresting authority and all that.
I would have to ask how do you like being a Jailer overall in terms of your chain and your bosses treatment overall, I just got into being a Residential Supervisor myself at a community corrections center so wondering how your senior staff treat you and if there is any difference.
Ok, here is a question, how likely would you be to 'turn a blind eye' to a minor infraction by someone who was helping you. For instance, you've gone to interview some guy who has information on a series of burglaries, and has volunteered to assist the investigation, feeling he has good evidence, and when you get there, you notice he's left out an ashtray with the remains of a spliff. (consider for this example that's a minor offence)
Would you let it pass as he's being a 'good citizen' for volunteering to assist the police, or would it be your duty to nail him too? OR perhaps would you offer a quiet warning instead? Personally I'd let it pass, as the last thing I'd want to do is create a feeling that helping the police would get me analysed for criminal behaviour.
To comment on the previous posts tho, and to commend you, I'd have to say, I remember being a teen and having a 'metal' jacket, demin covered in patches and metal studs, chains and spikes, etc.
Now I'd get stopped and searched a LOT by the police, although they never found anything, because I never had anything, heh. Never carried weapons, drugs etc. Worst I might have had was a couple of tapes with some ZX Spectrum games on, and they never queried that.
Actually once I was stopped and it was obvious he thought he'd hit the jackpot when he turned out my pockets and found a small 'wrap' of foil. Imagine his disappointment when he found it to be a year old stinky Kit Kat wrapper. (yes I was scummy back then and shouldnt emptied my jacket pockets occasionally.)
Back then I felt I was being picked on because of my looks, but now I realise that I could have looked threatening, and also the simple fact that certain groups are more likely to be breaking the law, its a stereotype in a way but it's true.
For instance, if I saw two groups of youths, emos and chavs, and I only had time to go talk to one lot to disperse them, I'd choose the chavs, as they're generally (not always, note) more likely to cause a public disturbance, lets face it, emos are mainly likely to injure themselves.
As for breaking up groups, or dealing with unauthorised protests, sure it's your right to protest, but the police have to be ready at a moment's notice to shut you down if it gets out of hand, and an unauthorised one is more likely to turn ugly.
As for groups of youths hanging around, I'd agree with an earlier poster, its a combination of ' We know you're not doing anything, but we're around, so behave' and breaking up large groups, as no matter what your intent, you can appear threatening to weaker members of the public, and they shouldn't have to avoid the park, say, because it's no longer a friendly place. I realise its not your fault, you're just hanging out with friends, but I understand the cop's take too.
Anyway, TL
R version...
Most of us here at the escapist don't blame the soldiers for their actions, even if we disagree with the invasion of Iraq, right? Can we offer the same feelings to the police too? They're just doing their job and working and risking their lives to protect us and society, and if you don't like the decisions made, look a LOT higher up than the patrol guy.
(Of course this doesn't forgive the occasional power hungry asshole who abuses his position to go around being a dick, but the vast majority in my experience joined the force to help.)
Would you let it pass as he's being a 'good citizen' for volunteering to assist the police, or would it be your duty to nail him too? OR perhaps would you offer a quiet warning instead? Personally I'd let it pass, as the last thing I'd want to do is create a feeling that helping the police would get me analysed for criminal behaviour.
To comment on the previous posts tho, and to commend you, I'd have to say, I remember being a teen and having a 'metal' jacket, demin covered in patches and metal studs, chains and spikes, etc.
Now I'd get stopped and searched a LOT by the police, although they never found anything, because I never had anything, heh. Never carried weapons, drugs etc. Worst I might have had was a couple of tapes with some ZX Spectrum games on, and they never queried that.
Actually once I was stopped and it was obvious he thought he'd hit the jackpot when he turned out my pockets and found a small 'wrap' of foil. Imagine his disappointment when he found it to be a year old stinky Kit Kat wrapper. (yes I was scummy back then and shouldnt emptied my jacket pockets occasionally.)
Back then I felt I was being picked on because of my looks, but now I realise that I could have looked threatening, and also the simple fact that certain groups are more likely to be breaking the law, its a stereotype in a way but it's true.
For instance, if I saw two groups of youths, emos and chavs, and I only had time to go talk to one lot to disperse them, I'd choose the chavs, as they're generally (not always, note) more likely to cause a public disturbance, lets face it, emos are mainly likely to injure themselves.
As for breaking up groups, or dealing with unauthorised protests, sure it's your right to protest, but the police have to be ready at a moment's notice to shut you down if it gets out of hand, and an unauthorised one is more likely to turn ugly.
As for groups of youths hanging around, I'd agree with an earlier poster, its a combination of ' We know you're not doing anything, but we're around, so behave' and breaking up large groups, as no matter what your intent, you can appear threatening to weaker members of the public, and they shouldn't have to avoid the park, say, because it's no longer a friendly place. I realise its not your fault, you're just hanging out with friends, but I understand the cop's take too.
Anyway, TL
R version...Most of us here at the escapist don't blame the soldiers for their actions, even if we disagree with the invasion of Iraq, right? Can we offer the same feelings to the police too? They're just doing their job and working and risking their lives to protect us and society, and if you don't like the decisions made, look a LOT higher up than the patrol guy.
(Of course this doesn't forgive the occasional power hungry asshole who abuses his position to go around being a dick, but the vast majority in my experience joined the force to help.)
I feel like the guy on Boondocks, who stays on the straight and narrow simply for an irrational fear of prison rape.
So, if i go to prison, i don't have to shank the biggest guy I can find on the first day to avoid it?
Serious question: how often do you observe nonviolent offenders becoming violent while in prison. I am pro-legalization of drugs, as I feel prohibition should have taught us something, and am not comfortable with nonviolent drug offenders ending up in federal pound me in the ass prison. (yes, i know many drug offenders are violent criminals, and they can be in prison for a long time)
So, if i go to prison, i don't have to shank the biggest guy I can find on the first day to avoid it?
Serious question: how often do you observe nonviolent offenders becoming violent while in prison. I am pro-legalization of drugs, as I feel prohibition should have taught us something, and am not comfortable with nonviolent drug offenders ending up in federal pound me in the ass prison. (yes, i know many drug offenders are violent criminals, and they can be in prison for a long time)
Our current director is an asshat who likes to make decisions regarding staffing, benefits and the like without consulting the union. He also overrides disciplinary hearings where the officer is found not guilty without giving a reason; like i got written up because i missed 3 days of work as i was in the hospital. I was found not guilty of misconduct but he overrode it and said I'm still going to have a 'absence problem' thing in my file.Chiasm said:
Other than him most people are very nice and all want to work as a team.
That's good then, Right now I work at a first time offender,drug related, woman's unit. So worst we have is sexual assault cases so seems a lot different then your war stories of a county jail. But even then I'll be a LPN next month so right now I am a C/O in title only at our center it seems.ace_of_something said:
Seems like for us the biggest one is officers stepping on each others toes. In how one person run's the pod's their way,You'll have another officer who does it differently then complain about how it is being ran, or just give the residents new orders on what to do when the assigned officer on pod's does their rounds.
Just always wondered how the difference breaks for Jailers, and C/O's as I only know of being a C/O right now. Though seems on the bright side all C/O's Jailers,and RS's are all treated horribly by the public. Yay for medical.
P.S How much paper work do you fill out on average?, It seems I go through a black ink pen at least once a week now.
Because people with drug problems who can't care for their family,social life or themselves, and end up committing fraud/theft for money. Need to be in a rehabilitation treatment facility to get help for their problem?jdnoth said:
Trace evidence of a joint? I've pulled people over and given them a wreckless driving ticket and a citation for the most minimal drug charge possible about a dozen times. There is a misconception that being found with drugs is instant jail. I worked vice for the latter half of my tenure, so I had to make deals like this all the time. I know the guy is a big time user but I don't want users. I want the sellers. Sometimes you have to bargin like that, it sucks but you need to get the big fish.SenseOfTumour said:
In your hypothetical I'd say give him a stern "don't be a dumbass" warning/speech and use the info to get burglars who are hurting people. As opposed to a person hurting himself.
Also I try not to make judgments on appearance because in my core I know it's wrong. Also, I remember being treated the same way you described when I was younger cuz I had long hair and the popular "I Wish I was Kurt Cobain" look of the time. It would always shock younger kids I pulled over when I'd say "Are you listening to the Vandals? If you like them you should check out..." and that sort of thing. I always found it works much better to polite, professional, and give people the benefit of the doubt; especially if you want to pump them for info.
That theory is still true in the Correction Officer capacity.
There are about a 100 diversion programs and even special courts for drug offenders; minor drug offenders likely never go to prison (jail is where you sit while you await trial; prison is where you go after). If your caught with 50 kilos of pot though well... get a good lawyer.thiosk said:
Knowing that prison rape is not as prevalent as it once was and is being reported much more; I would say I have no problem with dealers going to prison. I am biased though; I've seen what dealers do to a neighborhood even if they aren't violent. They are the seed of violence. It spreads like kudzu vine. Once the drugs take hold of a neighborhood the violence follows, and it feels like no matter how much you hack at the vines it just keeps coming back.
I assume you're making an attempt at humor.jdnoth said:
Well, nothing gives me that right and I don't have it anyway. Police officers DON'T make the laws that would be the courts. I also would've had no right to pick and choose which laws I want to enforce.
I am in full agreement, but like kudzu, it is impossible to exterminate. This is why i feel the problem is prohibition. The mob took a real hit not from elliot nash, but from the 21st amendment. Came right back though, gambling and then drugs. Prohibition all over again.ace_of_something said:
Have you ever been in a situation (out of uniform) where you've seen something illegal take place? (say pot being passed around at a party, nothing too serious)
In that situation could you take up your role as a police officer without your uniform or badge? Basically does your authority extend to times that you're not on duty if the situation calls for it?
Are there any laws you completely disagree with but you've been required to enforce? And if so which would you say you disagree with the most?
This is an absolutely brilliant topic by the way.
In that situation could you take up your role as a police officer without your uniform or badge? Basically does your authority extend to times that you're not on duty if the situation calls for it?
Are there any laws you completely disagree with but you've been required to enforce? And if so which would you say you disagree with the most?
This is an absolutely brilliant topic by the way.
What are your feelings on using tazer weapons? They seem like a very divisive issue. Personally I think they are a great tool for non-lethal force but some think they are a torture device. Second follow up question: Do you really have to get shocked by one to qualify on them every year?