I'm a cop, so post your 'police type' questions here. :-)

[Cuban_Liberal]

At the suggestion of a fellow Du-er, I'm posting this. Ask away, and I'll try my best to answer.

:hi:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

1. Does power corrupt?

[Cuban_Liberal]

2. Only those who get off on power trips.

:)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

10. So some people are 'special' and immune from the corrupting influence

of power?

What makes them so special?

[Cuban_Liberal]

26. It just doesn't 'trip their trigger', so to speak.

Just like handling gazillions of dollars day in and day out doesn't make every bank teller want to become an embezzler. :)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

41. So they think they are better than regular humans

who follow human nature and are corrupted by power?

Isn't that kind of hypocritical self-delusion what allows good people to become corrupted by power in the first place?


I would have a lot more respect for a person in a position of power who realized they were subject to the same flaws and temptations as everyone else, than someone who thought they were immune.

[Cuban_Liberal]

51. That's not what I said.

I said that they are no more prone to becoming corrupt by abusing the power they have than are any other group of people, like bank tellers. Some succumb, but the vast majority don't.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

66. I asked if power corrupts, you answered

'Only those who get off on power trips'


implying that there are two kinds of people 'those who get off on power trips' and those who don't.



Maybe I jumped to a conclusion when I assumed you meant you were in the second category, but I still guess that is what you meant.



I said that they are no more prone to becoming corrupt by abusing the power they have than are any other group of people, like bank tellers.

Bank tellers don't have any power at all. Whereas police do have real power over others, especially in an unsupervised setting. You are actually comparing the power you wield as a police officer to a bank teller counting out money? Your lack of understanding of this simple distinction shows how poorly trained our police really are.

[Cuban_Liberal]

68. Thanks for the insult.

Your comment shows how poorly people understand what powers the police have. Perhaps if you had asked your qwuestion coherently, I might have given you the answer you were looking for; as it was, answered the question you aksed with a perfectly accurate analogy.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

72. I'm incoherent because I believe in the corrupting influence of power?

And you really believe bank tellers have power? Over whom? in what situation?

[Cuban_Liberal]

77. Over the millions of dollars that pass through their hands.

The point I made (and make again) is that anyone can become corrupt in their job--- cops, bank tellers, pharmacists, etc. . The fact is that the vast majority of people do NOT abuse the power that is given them in the execution/performance of their duties. It's a very straight-forward statement. :shrug:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

84. That's nonsense. Bank clerks have power over the money they handle?

Not in my bank.


You've reaffirmed my desire to stay far, far away from any police officer, no matter how well-intentioned.


Most cops mean well when they start out, but after a few years on the job, become uniformed thugs -- and they still mean well. It just goes with the territory.

Police are a necessary evil.

[Cuban_Liberal]

93. It's not nonsense.

How do you think they become embezzlers? Your posts, from the initial one onward, made it clear that no rational discussion was wanted, just some content-free cop bashing.

Have a nice day.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

99. LOL you are equating law-breaking with law-enforcement?

There's a difference - and if you weren't uncorruptable, you'd know that.

[Cuban_Liberal]

116. A corrupt cop is a criminal.

If a cop abuses his powers of arrest and investigation, he breaks the law. What's so hard to understand about that concept?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

126. No, someone who commits criminal acts, is a criminal.

There are many levels of corruption, and many, many abuses of power by police that do not rise to the level of criminal acts. Even among those that do, most (or at least, many) are never reported to anyone, never investigated, or simply ignored by the other police.


Look, I just wanted to know if you thought you were subject to the same human frailties as the rest of us, and now I know.

[Cuban_Liberal]

128. Examples?

Lots of generalities, but no specifics. Care to provide a concrete example?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

133. You want me to provide an example of abuse of power that was not reported?

or investigated?

OK, in 1986, the cop who arrested me, and when I asked the reason for the arrest, told me to 'shut up', held me for 2 hours, and then released me without charging me.

That's one example, lol, I guess that's the only time anything like that ever happened, though... :eyes:

[Cuban_Liberal]

137. You weren't arrested.

You were held in custody (detained). There is a specific legal definition for what constitutes arrest; since no charges were filed, you were not arrested.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

142. I didn't say they broke the law, that's my point.

It was an abuse of power that did not rise to the level of a criminal act.

Believe me, I learned that day that we can be 'detained' without cause or charge, simply at the discretion of the police -- and if you can't tell the difference between that kind of power, and the power you claim bank tellers wield, then I really fear for the citizens you deal with.

[Cuban_Liberal]

146. Nice gratuitous insult.

It was not an abuse of power, based on the meager set of facts you've laid out. You see, facts are paramount in determining whether or not power was abused, and the shit-few you've provided do not make a clear-cut case that the officer abused his power.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

164. You think detaining a citizen and not telling them why is not an abuse

of power -- I think that shows the corrupting influence of power very nicely, thank you very much.


Book recommendation: The Trial, Franz Kafka

[Cuban_Liberal]

170. Did I say that?

I'd much appreciate it if you'd a.) quit putting words in my mouth that I didn't say, and b.) assuming that you somehow 'know' me and what I think. There are times when it is simply not possible--- at that moment--- to tell someone why they are being detained. You've provided no particulars whatsoever about your experience, yet I'm somehow supposed to make an informed judgment about it. Ask yourself just how reasonable that is? :eyes:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

180. "It was not an abuse of power" post #146

post #146 "It was not an abuse of power, based on the meager set of facts you've laid out. You see, facts are paramount in determining whether or not power was abused, and the shit-few you've provided do not make a clear-cut case that the officer abused his power."

post #170 "You've provided no particulars whatsoever about your experience, yet I'm somehow supposed to make an informed judgment about it.

Well you did make a judgement about it in post 146 -- now you say your judgement was 'uninformed' -- but that didn't stop you from making a judgement in favor of the officer, assuming that I left out some fact that would show he did not abuse his power.


I'm sure the officer thought he was totally in the right and justified -- that's my point.

[Cuban_Liberal]

185. Nice try.

What I said was based on the meager set of facts you gave me, I can't conclude that it was an abuse of power. Since you've deigned not to provide me with more facts, I stand by that judgment. Want me to change my mind? Give me some more facts---no, wait--- give me ALL the facts.

Your debate technique so far consists largely of leading questions and rank mischaracterizations of what I say. I'm not going to play whatever head game is involved, if that's how it's going to be... :eyes:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

192. You asked me for an example, I gave you one.

Now - based on what you call an insufficient set of facts -- you've made a judgement that the officer did not abuse his power.

I'm sure he'd be willing to extend you the same 'professional courtesy' - sometimes known as the 'Blue Wall of Silence'.

[Cuban_Liberal]

196. What 'set of facts'?

You were detained. He told you to shut up when you aksed why. He let you go home 2 hours later without arresting you.

There are no facts to support an 'abuse of power' claim there.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

201. That is exactly my point.

You, as a cop -- and based on what I've read of your posts, a good cop -- don't see anything wrong with the scenario I described.

[Cuban_Liberal]

203. No, I don't.

Those few facts don't contitute an abuse of police power, IMO. With the addition of other facts, that opinion could change. :shrug:

[Character Assassin]

295. Allow another cop to chime in: you provide any details.

It might have been an absolutely righteous detention. Until you specify what happened, there is no way to make a determination.

In CA, where I work, if circumstances dictate, I don't have to tell you anything other than you're being detained. Of course, I have to have either reasonable suspicion or exigent circumstances to justify it in the first place.

[Cuban_Liberal]

305. The same holds true in IL.

What I'd also like to point out is that there isn't always time to tell someone why they're being detained, especially if it occurs as a result of a fight/brawl, or some similar situation. In addition, a subject may be detained while an investigation is going on to determine whether or not TO charge them. Not every situation can be instantly sorted out.

:)

[Ediacara]

144. Look....

I've worked in banks, you obviously haven't. I had access to almost $200,000 in cash in a daily basis and could have walked right out the front door with it, yet chose not to.

Bank employees have access to TONS of money, and COULD walk right out the door and straight to the airport if they felt like it.

Actually, I think bank employees and cops have a lot of common. Both have the possibility to be corrupt, yet 99% aren't, and both have the unfortunate possibility of being shot at.

ON EDIT: Not just $200,000 in cash, but on top of that travellers cheques, gold, and blank cashiers cheques.

[Cuban_Liberal]

147. Thank you!

I agree, and am glad to see that you, like most reasonable people, understand plain English, and aren't deliberately obtuse and argumentative. :hi:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

The simple difference is

the bank teller is able to steal, just like any of us can steal. Of course, the bank teller is likely to get caught. That doesn't mean they have power over anyone.

Police on the other hand, wield real power over others in the normal, legal and accepted course of their duties. They can coerce people in a multitude of situations to do things they don't want to do, that's their job. It is a necessary job, but IMHO, and inevitable an unfortunate side effect of the job is a measure of corruption. And I think people in positions of power should be reminded from time to time of the corrupting influence of power -- otherwise they start to think it is something that only happens to other people.

For the record, I think all humans are flawed and corrupt. To tell you the truth, I didn't think that was such a controversial opinion.

[Ediacara]

162. Someone stealing from a bank does have some real consequences for everyone

They are normally monetary. Why do you think ATM fees increase and overdraft fees increase? It's not because bank tellers are fat cats, it's because insurance rates go up.

And you're definately right that cops can wield power directly over people, but in most cases I think you're overstating the level of corruption present.

The example Tony was trying to give wasn't about power OVER people, but power in general. Bank tellers have a huge amount of power (over money), yet they are generally not corrupt.

And again, I agree, most people are flawed and corrupt, but not nearly to the degree that you're implying.

For example, I admit, I would pick up a movie ticket off the floor that was still good and use it, but I would not, EVEN IF I WOULDN'T GET CAUGHT, steal money from my work.

[Cuban_Liberal]

171. Exactly.

I'll accapet a free refill of coffee at the Moto-Mart, but if you warpped a $5 bill around your license and handed it to me when stopped you for speeding, you'd find yourself cuffed and in the back seat of my car so fast it would make your head spin.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

174. You are criticising me for something I didn't say

e overstating the level of corruption present.

I didn't state - or at least I didn't mean to state - the level of corruption present. I simply asked 'Does power corrupt?', and the answer was, "Only those who get off on power trips" -- in other words, it only corrupts some people, not everyone.


On the other hand, if you ask most people who are not in a position of power if power corrupts, the overwhelming majority will say Yes.

[Ediacara]

199. Sorry

But you seemed to imply very strongly that all cops were either corrupt or had some mental disorder for not thinking that they were corrupt.

If I misunderstood what you said, sorry, but from your posts ion this section, you REALLY are overstating the level of corruption and potential corruption.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

205. I think all humans are corrupt and flawed.

Cops are no different from anyone else, except that they are in a position of power. Most people believe that power corrupts. This was my opportunity to ask someone in a position of power whether they believe that.

[Ediacara]

211. But you're not paying any attention to the degree of corruption

Nor to its prevalance.

Yes, everyone is flawed and corrupt, but not everyone in a position of power, be it a cop or a bank employee, is going to let that power corrupt them.

In fact, almost NO ONE lets power corrupt them, but there are unfortunately some very visible bad seeds. If you really were detained without PC, then I'm sorry, but don't use that experience to paint all cops as corrupt.

I was among the 100,000+ victims of a few bad seeds that led to insane brutality in Seattle's WTO "riots," yet I know that not all cops are bad, and that 99% of those cops were just doing their job and got caught up in something that most of the cops and all of the protesters DID NOT want to happen (a sort of riot).

[Feanorcurufinwe]

214. You are right, I'm not addressing those factors at all.

I'm not addressing the degree of corruption nor it's prevalence.

As I already said.

[cally]

266. I studied how to encourage groups of professionals to

stay honest. One of the keys was a sense of community and standards within the professional community. Police have this. They can re-inforce high standards. It's also why some police communities are corrrupt. They re-inforce bad behavior. I don't think it's just power that corrupts but ways a professional community validates behavior.

As an aside, meat inspectors are The opposite. They have little relationship to each other and instead form their friendships and professional relationships with the meat packers. Their allegiance is to them instead of the profession.

[JohnLocke]

233. Misplaced response, ignore please.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

239. n/t

[ronnykmarshall]

173. Wanna bet??

"Bank tellers don't have any power at all."


Honey, us bank gals can trash your ass.


"Girl, did you see how much she paid for that dress?"

"Ummmm hummm, and she had to go into her overdraft to clear that check."

"I know, and her husband was in here the other day pissed off because he has to cover some checks that bounced. Girl, I think the next check to clear that account is gonna be to the divorce lawyer."

"Oh, hush here she comes now. ..... Hi, hon how are you?"


:crazy:

[skooooo]

101. he's just saying that ..

...not every personality type gets off on abusing power. i'm sure they have other problems...if that makes more sense to you.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

107. I'm not talking about whether people 'get off on abusing power'

I am talking about the corrupting influence of wielding power. It is much more insidious than most people believe. You don't have to 'get off on abusing power' to be a victim of that corrupting influence.

IMHO, power DOES corrupt, and I trust someone who realizes that to resist it's corrupting influence more than someone who thinks it only corrupts 'other people' who have a personality flaw that they don't share.

[m-jean03]

160. I don't know about all this --

All I can say is, there have been some situations where I've been very thankful to have cops around, because the power that they wielded very responsibly kept some bad shit from going down. My thanks to all the good cops out there.:donut: :thumbsup:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

169. I'm glad you've never been the victim of police abuse,

and I hope your string of luck continues. I do believe that police are necessary, but I think we need to do more as a society to educate them that they are NOT IMMUNE from the corrupting influence of power simply because they are good people with good motives, who usually do good works.

[liberalhistorian]

302. Look, I have no doubt that

you experienced police abuse and that police abuse exists far more than people want to even think about. And I'll even grant that police have tremendous power over people and situations, and too many use that power in ways not at all good.

But the vast majority of cops aren't like that. I felt the same way you did until my armed robbery last summer. That really changed everything. I was so grateful to have them available, and they went right out looking for the thug, knowing that he was armed with two guns he wasn't afraid to use at all. Until something like that happens to you, you have no idea at all how lucky we really are to have policemen.

[rumguy]

186. Who would have thought that such a simple request

would have caused a mini-furor...

[Feanorcurufinwe]

194. I like asking the hard questions.

[ForrestGump]

275. No, you like getting pitbullish on a policeman

You don't like peace officers...fine, we get it.

Nothing to see here...move along folks...nothing to see here..

[Padraig18]

287. I would agree.

The anti-police bias in the posts is patent.

[radwriter0555]

285. Why do most cops have affairs?

:)

[Cuban_Liberal]

I don't know, to be honest.

I think in part it may have to do with the fact that many officers let 'the job' become their life, to the detriment of all else, including their marriages.

[JohnKleeb]

3. Do you have guns that are chocolate?

like chocolate bunnies except chocolate guns. I know I shouldnt be asking about chocolate because I am having a heartache. Oh ever seen Thin Blue Line or read the Onion Field, I borrowed Thin Blue Line from Film class because I was absent the day we viewed it. Oh final question, do cops really thrive on donuts and coffee? I have no cops in my family so I wonder :).

[Cuban_Liberal]

7. Don't have a choclate gun, John.

I've got some replicas of famous makes, though. Yes, I've seen both films, and read The Onion Field. :-)

[JohnKleeb]

20. is the onion field movie good?

My film teacher said it was great.

[Cuban_Liberal]

23. It's an awesome film.

VERY powerful, John. :)

[JohnKleeb]

24. I loved the book

great stuff. Poor Karl Hettinger :(.

[Cuban_Liberal]

213. The book rocked, john.

Yeah, poor Karl. :(

[Ladyhawk]

310. It was. (nt)

[Ladyhawk]

309. I've read The Onion Field.

I felt awful for the cop that got trashed because of that incident. Oy! My correctional officer brother judged him just as harshly. Pissed me off...

[DS1]

4. You walk into a friend's house, you see a bong on the counter

There are no other cops around.

Do you bust them?

[Cuban_Liberal]

9. Nope.

Probably wouldn't bust them if I was on duty, unless I had a much better reason than a bong, all by itself.:)

[skooooo]

28. Cops really do get free donuts..

...I've seen it. Buckeye Donuts in Columbus, Ohio, just across the street from OSU campus. There needs to be an investigation, imo.

[Cuban_Liberal]

33. Most places do things for cops.

Usually pretty minor stuff, like give you a free refill on your coffee or your Coke, etc. .

[Ohio Dem]

85. I forgot all about Buckeye Donuts!

I used to love that place. They had the best coffee in the world, and their muffins are killer!

[skooooo]

97. Heh heh..oh yeah.....

I hung out there a lot in the late 80s early 90s. I guess that place is still there. Man, if I ate donuts like that today I'd gain 100 lbs.

lol...

[Lorien]

268. Lol! I was back in Columbus just last month

was passing by Buckeye donuts on High St. with my mom as we were talking about what has and hasn't changed in Columbus in the 15 years since I moved away. I asked if Buckeye donuts is still full of cops, she laughed and said "yeah, it's been like that since at least 1964" lol!

[skooooo]

272. Family-run store....

..as I remember a Greek family ran it. The kids would come in all the time, go behind the counter. What a nice place. And yes, the cops would come in, pick out their donuts and take off again. Pretty funny.

[mouse7]

5. What's the best antidote to pepper spray and CS gas?

What does a police officer recommend as the quickest method to getting relief from these irritants if one is, say, "irritated" at a protest?

[Cuban_Liberal]

11. Time.

Sad, but true. Water only makes it worse, too. Sorry. :shrug:

[Ediacara]

154. Water can make a diff if you are hit close range

You're right, it can and does irritate the rash, but if you have pepper spray directly from the canister into your skin, water is needed to wash away the excess.

I've heard that vinigar helps, but I've never experienced it as a patient.

Keep in mind though, that if you smell something like barbeque sauce, COVER YOUR EYES AND FACE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. Pepper spray smells (for some reason) like barbeque sauce when you're at the very leading edge of the cloud.

[maveric]

32. delete

posted under wrong post.

[Streetdoc270]

286. Dish washing liquid

Dawn dish soap will disolve the oily base, water alone will only make it worse

[Renew Deal]

6. Did you have to go to court for those election day criminals?

Teh guys at the polling place.

[Cuban_Liberal]

14. Not yet, but I will.

They have a preliminary hearing in a couple of weeks, unless the cut a deal with our S.A. before that time . :)

[skooooo]

8. ...sorry, i don't like being around cops much...

..i've seen too many examples of them not respecting people's rights. i'm sure you're different.

[Cuban_Liberal]

16. We're all different.

Most cops are OK people, but as in any group, you get assholes who make everyone look bad. :)

[Teddy_Salad]

12. How many donuts can you eat in one shift?

}(

[Cuban_Liberal]

17. None.

I hate donuts. Eclairs are a different matter, however. ;)

[DS1]

13. Have you ever shot someone for making a donut joke? Why not?

[Cuban_Liberal]

18. No.

It's simpler to cite them for that burned-out license plate light. ;)

[ncrainbowgrrl]

289. Heh.

Thanks for being one of the good guys, Cuban_liberal. :yourock:

[Teddy_Salad]

19. I hope not!!

[LadeJarl]

15. Why do police

pull you over for a minor thing like dirty license plate or missing break light or similar and then go on to rip your car apart in order to try to find something illegal? Is that even legal?

[Cuban_Liberal]

21. It's called probable cause and officer safety.

Yes, it's legal. According to the US Supreme Court, you have no 'reasonable expectation of privacy under the 4th Amendment' in your car. Officers may search your car for a variety of reasons, including officer safety, vehicle safety, etc.; if you were driving erratically, your car may be searched to see if you were drinking or partaking of other intoxicants. :)

[skooooo]

39. uhh...i don't know about that.

...i think you have to have a warrant to do certain things. and if a cop ever asks to look around in my car, i will say "NO."

[Cuban_Liberal]

42. I *do* know about it.

And I don't need a warrant, just probable cause.

[skooooo]

46. Hmm...well if you ask..I'm saying "no"...

...and if you search, I would challenge it. Unless there really was a reason for you to search. Sorry, I guess I got a problem with cops because I've heard allllllllll my life about cop abuses and it pisses me off.

[Cuban_Liberal]

53. That's why we have lawyers and courts.

I'll search, if I have PC, and we'll let the S.A., your lawyer and the judge sort it out at your preliminary hearing. :)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

94. In other words, if you can't afford to hire a lawyer, they can do anything

they want to you without fear of reprisal, in most instances.

[Cuban_Liberal]

100. Gideon v. Wainwright and Miranda v. Arizona.

No one goes to court without a lawyer, except by choice.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

122. LOL

First of all, if the police abuse your rights, and subsequently decline to file charges against you, let's say because of their own misconduct, you aren't going to be provided a lawyer at public expense in order to take them to court.

Even if charges are filed, the proposition that the rich and poor receive equal justice in the court system because of the 'public defender' system is so contrary to events in the real world that I don't feel a need to refute it.

[Cuban_Liberal]

124. Have it your way.

Knock yourself out, bubba. :shrug:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

129. OK

'bubba'?

[HFishbine]

49. Are your sure?

I don't have the time to search for case law, but this is on the ACLU web site:

"May police generally search motorists and their cars after ticketing them for routine traffic violations? No."

http://www.aclu.org/PolicePractices/PolicePractices.cfm?ID=8316&c=25

[Cuban_Liberal]

55. They key word there is 'search'.

That's why a lengthy dissertation about what 'probable cause' herein would only serve to confuse more people than it would to enlighten them.:)

[HFishbine]

59. I gotcha

So an indication of a threat to office safety (a bullet casing on the floorboard), or indication of some criminal activity (a whiff of pot, perhaps) is the trigger?

[Cuban_Liberal]

143. Yes, exactly.

Officer safety is normally paramount (the 'trump card') in any legal 'balancing test'. :)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

70. See #1

[Teddy_Salad]

22. Any chance.....

.....you could go to Boston and arrest the entire Red Sox team?

As a Yankee fan, they are really pissing me off now!

Surely, Johnny Damon's excess of hair is against the law, huh?
He's far too hirsute.

}(

[Cuban_Liberal]

29. LOL!

I'd rather arrest the Cubs, personally. ;)

[ikojo]

80. OK Cuban_Liberal...I liked you until this comment

of wanting to arrest the CUBS!

Surely they have suffered enough...after all it has been 94 years since they won a world series.

[Cuban_Liberal]

118. And may it be another 94, God willing!

Go Cards! :evilgrin:

[Nailzberg]

177. Actually 96 years, but who's counting.

I am. :cry:

[Cuban_Liberal]

187. It'll happen, some day.

Maybe not in our lifetimes, but it'll happen. ;)

[mike_c]

25. why did you become a cop?

Having come of age during the 1960's and breathed my share of tear gas (and being from the deep south, to boot) I've generally viewed law enforcement as tools of state oppression. I do recognize that to some degree any orderly society needs a means of imposing order at the personal level, e.g. preventing or punishing theft, assault, and so on. Still, my perception of police agencies is strongly influenced by their history of misuse-- more often than not willing misuse-- by power elites against the rights of poor people or dissenters.

So I'm wondering, were you aware of that historical context when you joined the police force, and how do you view your role within it? Would you obey orders to disperse a crowd trying to raise their voices in support of a just cause?

edit: BTW, thanks for posting your willingness to answer questions.

[Cuban_Liberal]

40. I wanted to be able to help people.

I was aware of the 60's and the civil-rights marches and the Vietnam protests, etc., but it didn't really influence me much either way. Whether or not I would disperse a crowd of protesters would depend on a.) whether I had been lawfully ordered to do so, AND whether or not I felt that allowing them to remain together as a group would endanger them and/or bystanders more than dispersing them would.

I support free speech as much as anyone does, and protested the invasion, but if a crowd is threatening to become a mob, then yes, I would disperse them.

[brainshrub]

27. Were you one of the cops who cracked down on the FTAA protesters?

If not, do you know any cops who were? Why did they have to behave so badly?

[Cuban_Liberal]

43. No, I wasn't.

I don't know why they did, either. :shrug:

[rumguy]

260. Do cops lean dem or pubbie?

Or is it hard to say?

[Cuban_Liberal]

262. Hard to say.

They generally reflect whatever the political makeup of the community they live in is, I suspect--- generally. Our force is about 60/40 Republican/Democrat, just like our county is...

[HFishbine]

30. Speeding tickets

Three questions:

How fast over the speed limit does one have to be traveling to get pulled?

Assume I was exceeding the limit by enough for you to pull me -- not in a school zone. If I told you, honestly, that I usually adhere strictly to the speed limit, that I must have lost my attention for a minute and that if you simply gave me a warning it would be plenty to remind me to be more careful, would you have sympathy?

What other reasons/excuses might get one a warning instead of a ticket?

[Cuban_Liberal]

47. I'd probably let you go with a warning, if your record was clear.

If I ran your license and found out you weren't an habitual speeder, I'd probably give you a verbal or written warning. As for cutting people slack, the truth always works best, with me. Lying to me about speeding (or anything else) pisses me off, because it implies I'm not smart enough to know better. :)

[HFishbine]

50. Cool!

Last speeding ticket was fifteen years ago.

[Cuban_Liberal]

119. I just want people to drive safely and responsibly.

We can all get distracted, or yield to the urge to hurry, etc., and I understand that; heck, I've done it myself. As long as you're not endangering everyone else or yourself, and as long as you don't habitually speed, I'll cut you plenty of slack. :)

[DS1]

31. When DUers post pictures of cops in full riot gear

and talk about the facist state they live in, how do you feel about that?

[Cuban_Liberal]

48. It annoys me.

It doesn't make me mad, but it annoys me for the same reason being dismissive of any group by making broad generalizations about them does. :shrug:

[DS1]

34. When is it Okay to pass ~you~ on the highway?

Speedy minds have to know!

[Cuban_Liberal]

56. If I'm not doing the speed limit.

You're playing with fire otherwise. :P

[maveric]

35. Are African American drivers pulled over more frequently than other

Than other drivers?
What are your views on racial profiling?

[Cuban_Liberal]

60. It's pretty clear that they are.

As a minority myself, I have mixed feelings about racial profiling. I think profiling itself is a fairly neutral and useful tool, where other factors besides race are factored in. I myself don't really see what race someone is, per se, except as part of my habitual practice of noting what someone I encounter looks like, should the need arise to describe them at a later time.

[Another Bill C.]

36. Here's a story

I'm developing for a small publication. I did witness this event. Is there a defense for this?

When you’re a little girl’s dad, there’s a brief period of time when that little girl sees you as the champion of the realm, the knight who takes the princess’s handkerchief into battle. Soon enough she’ll see you for the flawed person you really are but in the meantime you really enjoy being the gallant and omniscient man in her life.

On a recent afternoon I watched as some sheriff’s deputies in plain clothes stopped a car in the street in front of my house. In the car were a young man and his little girl, who appeared to be nine-years-old or so. Frightened and tearful, the little girl watched as the deputies, guns drawn, ordered her dad out of the car. He begged them to not do this in front of his daughter. They then handcuffed him, put their guns away, and sat him in the caged back seat of a van. She was allowed to leave the car and she ran to a nearby house where, I assume, she knew the family.

It turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. The young man “fit the description.” He was let go. He looked quite angry as he retrieved his daughter and they went on their way.

I don’t know, and I doubt, if the deputies apologized to the dad but none of them talked to that tearful little girl to say they were sorry. Does that little girl still think of her daddy as her invulnerable white knight and protector after seeing him handled, humiliated, and taken down a few notches? I can’t imagine it. Will she ever trust the police again? I doubt that. Something was taken from these two and it will never be replaced.

[Cuban_Liberal]

63. They should have apologized to him.

They should also have offered to go explain to the little girl what happened, and why it happened. I would have.

[LibertyorDeath]

37. Do you speed when you're off duty? Ever???

If so have you ever been given a ticket or were you shown professional courtesy.

Do you give speeding tickets as part of your work

[Cuban_Liberal]

64. a.) Yes. b.) I got a warning. c.) Yes, I do.

Hey, I'm human. :)

[LibertyorDeath]

75. Thanks for the honesty.Cuban_Liberal

Take care

[JVS]

38. Suppose I'm at the store and approached by teenagers to buy them liquor...

if I suspect it is some kind of set up for the cops to swoop in can I ask them if they are working with the police and do they have to tell me if they are?

On edit: Repeat question involving prostitutes and drug dealers.

[HFishbine]

57. Yeah, that's a good question.

If someone is questioning you, however friendly, and you ask him, "Are you a cop?" Does he have to tell you if he is?

[DS1]

65. No, this can't possibly be true, if it were, wouldn't every single

criminal in the United States just wear a tshirt that says "Are you a cop?", or do I have some untapped criminal mastermind qualities about me?

[Cuban_Liberal]

67. No, they don't have to tell you.

Same answer (in Illinois); the laws may vary from state to state, however, regarding entrapment.

[slinkerwink]

44. so how often do you arrest Padriag?

;-)

[Cuban_Liberal]

69. Ummm....

:evilgrin:

[m-jean03]

165. Are you guys

really an item? Me curious :)

[Cuban_Liberal]

175. We are.

We just celebrated our second anniversary together, and we've lived together openly as a couple for the last 19 months. :)

[m-jean03]

189. Congrats to you

Another successful 'marriage' thanks to DU? Or were you real life friends first?

[Cuban_Liberal]

210. We met pre-DU.

A mutual friend introduced us when I had just gotten out of the Army, and the rest is history. :)

[ronnykmarshall]

188. OOOOO you nasty woman you!

:loveya:

[slinkerwink]

283. hahaha, thanks!

;-)

[AspenRose]

45. Ticket quotas

Is it true that police officers have a certain number of speeding (or other kind of) tickets they have to have written out by the end of the month?

Here's a bad cop joke for you.

Officer pulls over this guy who was speeding and driving erratically.

Cop: Sir, your eyes are bloodshot. Have you been drinking?
StupidGuy: Well, officer, your eyes are glazed over. Have you been eating donuts?

*ducks to miss throwing objects* :evilgrin:

[Cuban_Liberal]

71. LOL! Cute joke!

I don't know about every agency, but we have no 'quota' in my department, and the ISP doesn't have one, either. That said, your record of arrests, investigations, etc., ARe part of your 'job performance' evaluations, in most departments. :)

[rock]

52. Is lying to a cop in and of itself illegal?

I don't mean where it could be construed as interfering with an investigation.

[Cuban_Liberal]

73. No.

It's not helpful, however, since it usually makes the stop/investigation last longer, and generally annoys the officer.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

74. Is legal for them to lie to you.

[Cuban_Liberal]

155. It depends.

If the lying constitutes obstruction of justice (like lying about your identity, whether someone is in your home, etc.) then yes, it's a crime. If you lie to me about other things thatb have nothing to do with my carrying out my duties, then no, it's not a crime. It all depends on your state's statutes.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

200. Right -- but you are allowed to lie to me with the purpose of deceiving me

For instance, when interrogating a suspect, you can tell him you have evidence you don't really have, or that his accomplice has confessed, and that would not taint any confession.

Most other deceptions by the police are allowed as well, e.g., a traffic stop, the cop asks to search: Motorist: "do I have to let you" Cop: "we do this all the time" Motorist: "OK" - the cop didn't actually lie, but did deceive the motorist -- perfectly ok.

[Cuban_Liberal]

223. That's what the Supreme Court says.

If and when they say differently, I'll do it differently. :shrug:

[Feanorcurufinwe]

230. I don't understand why when I make a simple statement of fact

you seem to perceive it as some sort of attack on you.

Maybe I'm wrong, maybe you didn't perceive it that way, but I certainly perceived your response as defensive.

I think citizens should be aware - and most aren't - that the police are under no obligation to be truthful - and the police - no matter how well intentioned, are unlikely to volunteer that information.

[Cuban_Liberal]

237. It wasn't defensive.

I'm sorry if you perceived it as such. I was just being factual/clear about my views. :hi:

[Character Assassin]

298. To be specific, it deceived a rather dim-witted motorist

"We do this all the time" would not, at least in CA, stand up if challenged in court for an illegal search and seizure if it was the basis of the consent the officer thought he got.

As for lying to cops, you're free to do it while you're in what's called a consensual encounter. Lie all you want. Once you're detained, however, honesty or silence is the best policy.

[disenfranchised]

54. Do you support legalizing prostitution or marijuana?

Also, if you do traffic stops, do you get nervous when you pull people over at night? Or, does it become routine?

Do you supply your own socks?

[Cuban_Liberal]

76. I do support decriminalizing both.

Simple possession of a small amount clearly for personal use should not be a criminal offense, IMO, and prostitution between consenting adults should also be decriminalized.

I don't get nervous when I pull people over at night, but I do tend to use extreme caution, because in our area, we often don't have backup for traffic stops, so it's just me taking care of me, so to speak.


I get a uniform allowance that partially covers the cost of uniforms, but I also buy much of my own clothing, yes.

[Corgigal]

290. OMG really?

My husband is a retired cop from Hillsborough county (Tampa) and they always had back ups and never paid a dime for their uniforms. In fact they were paid monthly for washing detergent. Why don't you go to a larger agency where you make more money and are better taken care of?

[Rowdyboy]

58. Have you experienced any departmental/personal discrimination

about being gay? Do you spend time with other officers in your spare time? I've read that police officers tend to associate with other officers in their off hours and wondered if it held true for homosexual cops.

[Cuban_Liberal]

81. Very little anti-gay discrimination.

I've actually experienced more problems as a result of being Hispanic than I have as a result of being gay. I do tend to spend time with a couple of fellow officers, although not to the degree many of my other fellow officers do; I like having a life away from my job, which probably explains why I don't have hypertension or an ulcer. ;)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

61. How should one act if stopped by a policeman?

When I was very young, I witnessed my father being arrested for not paying child support. The police surrounded the house and came in with guns drawn, and I was terrified. (I was the 'bait' that lured my father to my mother's house so that they could arrest him).

Because of this early trauma, I am terrified whenever I am near a police officer. I'm sure that because of these feelings, they will think I am guilty of something and that I will go to jail on suspicion of doing something wrong, even though the worst thing I've done is get a parking ticket.

Any suggestions as to what I can do so if I am stopped by a police officer I will keep my head and not shiver and get nauseous?

[Cuban_Liberal]

82. Being nervous is perfectly normal.

Just tell the officer that you're nervous, be truthful and civil when talking with him/her, and don't make any sudden moves that might be considered 'suspicious', and you should be fine. We understand that we make lots of people nervous, so don't worry about it. :)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

92. ACLU on what to do if you're stopped by The Police

Be polite and respectful. Never bad-mouth a police officer.

Stay calm and in control of your words, body language and emotions.

Don't get into an argument with the police.

Remember, anything you say or do can be used against you.

Keep your hands where the police can see them.

Don't run. Don't touch any police officer.

Don't resist even if you believe you are innocent.

Don't complain on the scene or tell the police they're wrong or that you're going to file a complaint.

Do not make any statements regarding the incident. Ask for a lawyer immediately upon your arrest.

Remember officers' badge & patrol car numbers.

Write down everything you remember ASAP.

Try to find witnesses & their names & phone numbers.

If you are injured, take photographs of the injuries as soon as possible, but make sure you seek medical attention first.

If you feel your rights have been violated, file a written complaint with police department's internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.
http://archive.aclu.org/issues/criminal/bustcardtext.html

[DS1]

139. oops., wrong post

[Guaranteed]

62. Are you a Libra?

I find most cops are Libras.

[Cuban_Liberal]

83. Pisces.

:)

[JohnLocke]

78. What's the most exciting/dangerous/cool case you've ever worked?

[Cuban_Liberal]

90. The most dangerous case I ever had...

...involved a scared 16 year-old kid with a gun who had just robbed a convenience store. I chased him and cornered him and was scared to death that he was going to do something even MORE stupid, like point the gun at me, or shoot at me, which could have forced me to return fire. Fortunately, he realized that the only thing he could do to improve his situation was to put the gun down and surrender, which he did, and I took him into custody without any violence.

[LibertyorDeath]

79. What's the best thing about being a cop?

What's the worst?

and do you watch the show Cops.

What do you think of Bush aka dimson?

[Cuban_Liberal]

95. OK

The best thing about being a cop is being able to realize that you made a bad situation objectively better as a result of your actions/interactions (arresting an armed robber, e.g.). The worst thing is anything that involves a child being hurt, no matter what the reason.

I think Shrub is an idiot. :)

[LibertyorDeath]

110. Cheers

:)

[AspenRose]

207. Do you catch grief from fellow Cubans about your political stance?

I mean, your handle is "Cuban Liberal" because we all know too often when we think of Cubans, we have a tendency to think "Repug."

And have you ever heard the rumor that these same idiots (rabid repug Miami Cubans) tried to market a WHITE Celia Cruz doll??? Oh, the disrespect!!!

Long live La Reina Salsa! O8)

[Cuban_Liberal]

220. Some times, they give me grief.

Most Cubans aren't RW-ers, though, even though the most visible ones are, like Jorge Mas Canosa. Most Cubans are aredent anti-Communists and anti-Castro, but are much more 'mainstream' in their political leanings than people realize. Those of us who are younger and American-born tend to be moderates and liberals, in the main.

Vaya con Dios, Celia. :cry:

[terrya]

86. Have you ever forgotten to read a suspect their Miranda rights?

I know you're extremely professional. But I'm just curious...

It's either that question or whether you've used your handcuffs on Paddy...:-)

Terry

[Cuban_Liberal]

98. No, I never have.

It's so routine that it's just something you do every time; I do it when I'm cuffing them, or putting them in the car just afterwards.:)

[ikojo]

87. Here in St Louis, a car being driven by a man with his wife

and children as passengers was stopped by city of St Louis cops. The driver sped off and the cops pursued him and shot the car 28 times. Supposedly the cops did not know there were children and a woman in the car.

One of the cops (a rookie) was fired and another may be fired.

My question is this...what do you think can be done to create an atmosphere of trust between marginalized communities such as inner city poor people of all races, but in St Louis it is primarily blacks who experience police brutality, and the police?

Just a couple of days ago it appears an undercover officer was ambushed.

The chaplain of the St Louis Police Dept has encouraged black St Louisans to carry guns in case they get into an altercation with the police.

What do you see as a solution to this breakdown in relations?

[Cuban_Liberal]

103. Heavy question.

I don't really know the answer to that. As to people speeding away from the police, all I can say is that that is NEVER a good idea, and it almost never works, because you can't outrun a radio, no matter how fast your car is...

[Feanorcurufinwe]

88. How many innocent people have you arrested?

[skooooo]

102. how would he know??!

that's not for him to decide...its for the courts

[Feanorcurufinwe]

136. Good question, it makes you wonder why he answered 'None'

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1023234&mesg_id=1023559&page=

[Cuban_Liberal]

104. None. n/t

[MAlibdem]

163. wouldn't it be all?

Because they are innocent until proven guilty, right?

so at the time of arrest all are innocent...

[Cuban_Liberal]

240. That's why I didn't engage in the hair-splitting contest.

You are, of course, correct; my answer was a de facto, rather than a de jure on. :hi:

[MAlibdem]

253. ya, im planning on the law as a career...

just practicing, haha, sorry. :thumbsup:

[Cuban_Liberal]

255. No problem. I start law school in August myself.

:)

[Mobius]

89. THC saliva test

how long before the test do you have to quit?

[Cuban_Liberal]

105. Depends on the test and your body-fat percentage.

Some tests and some labs are better than others. 30 days is the rule of thumb, though. :)

[CalebHayes]

91. Is it true that if you see a car with a break light out or something...

like that, you watch them much closer than most others. What I'm trying to say is, do those types (people who don't bother to get their brake light fixed) look more suspicious to you or other cops?

Something else, Do you really care about jay walking? I really do it all the time. I'm sorry but when your 13 and you don't drive, you have to walk everywhere. But if your in a hurry... well you see where I'm going. I have never had a cop say anything to me about it. Why not?

Thanks

[Cuban_Liberal]

108. It's something that catches my attention.

I may not be suspicious of the driver, but it will certainly draw my attention to him/her, when I might not otherwise give them a second glance.

I seldom bother with jay-walking, unless you cause an accident or get hit yourself; in that case I would cite you, most likely.

[m-jean03]

96. Hi CubanLiberal!

When cops give people citations for not wearing seatbelts, are they doing it out of genuine concern for people's safety or to collect money for the police department?

I believe the former but my cynical father argues the latter.:)

[Cuban_Liberal]

Safety.

Seat belts save lives, period. I've worked many fatal accidents, and I've never seen a dead person with one on. Your best chance of surviving an accident is to stay inside the passenger compartment, and a seat belt is the best way to ensure that that happens.

Buckle up, and live! :)

[m-jean03]

114. Thanks, I will show him that!

I try to tell him, seatbelt laws are only for our own good, and the steep fines ensure that we follow them. He tries to convince me he is a poor working class victim of the Man -- I say, hey, better that than dead!! :7

[Cuban_Liberal]

123. Do so.

If people only realized the true cost of auto accidents, both monetarily and emotionally, they'd buckle up. It can literally cost millions of dollars per-person to care for a victim of a CNS injury (head or spinal cord), and it's usually the taxpayers--- you, me and your father-in-law, e.g.--- who have to pony up the money to do that. Figure in lost productivity, the costs incurred by public-safety personnel, depreciation/wear and tear on equipment, unreimbursed medical costs, etc., and we're talking hundreds of billions of dollars a year.

[trof]

106. On speeding

I've been told that police will spot you 10% above posted speed on the interstate. i.e., 77 in a 70 zone.
As long as you show a little respect by slowing when you see them.
T or F?

on edit: thanks for your time

[Cuban_Liberal]

112. My rule of thumb:

+5 m.p.h. over can be a speedometer problem, being distracted momentarily, etc., but anything over that moves into the category of 'deliberate', in my book. :)

[trof]

149. uh oh...thanks

[buddhamama]

109. where did the term

"the fuzz" originate from?

silly question perhaps but one that i've inquired about many times and no one has been able to provide an answer.

[Cuban_Liberal]

113. I don't know, honestly.

Good question. Does anyone else know? :shrug:

[buddhamama]

117. don't feel bad

every male on my mother's side of the family was a cop and none of them knew the answer either.

[ikojo]

111. Here's one that I hope is not so heavy...

What are your feelings on civilian oversight boards? There is a group in St Louis called Coalition Against Police Crimes and Repression who is urging the St Louis Board of Aldermen to pass a Civilian Oversight Board that would review instances of police brutality. The vote, thus far, falls along race lines with all the black Aldermen supporting it and all the white aldermen being against it.

As a cop would you see a civilian oversight board as second guessing the police? Here in St Louis it appears that having the police investigate themselves is doing little to help relations with the community at large.

Yeah there are some serious problems in St Louis.

[Cuban_Liberal]

115. Doesn't bother me at all.

We have them set up by state statute. Our department is overseen by an independent board of commissioners. Any group that is given as much power as the police shoul;d understand and accept the need for independent oversight. :)

[MAlibdem]

120. Do you know to check in the trunk...

Under the mat in the place the spare tire is kept?

Do most cops check there?

What's the best place to hide stuff in my car?

[Cuban_Liberal]

127. There is no good place, frankly.

Yes, I know how to check there. If I believe I have probably cause to search there, and you don't want me to, no sweat--- I'll just call a k_9 officer. if the dog alerts, I now have objective evidence to back up my belief, and I'll search it if I have to pry it open with a crowbar to do so... :)

[MAlibdem]

130. lol...ok

i wasn't talking about drugs tho...

just underage transporting of C3O6OH

[Cuban_Liberal]

134. Ohhhhhh....

The dog wouldn't hit on that, and if you weren't intoxicated and underage, I'd let it slide, rather than make an issue out of it... :)

[MAlibdem]

138. nice...

what if I had 3 shit-housed teenagers in the car tho?

oh, my wasted youth

[Cuban_Liberal]

151. If any of them were drunk and under-aged....

... it might be different. However, if you were driving and YOU weren't intoxicated, I'd let it slide, although I might 'suggest' that you take your pals home--- yours or their own--- and follow you while you dropped them off. :)

[MAlibdem]

158. excellent...

so far i've had little trouble with the fuzz...

...i like most of the other work y'all do...

[Cuban_Liberal]

179. Basically, the idea is...

Minimize the chaos, fix what you can fix, deal with what you can't fix the best way you know how, and make sure the maximum number of people wake up safe and sound in their beds tomorrow morning.:)

[MAlibdem]

183. oooohhh,

I like that.

[DS1]

254. man, I feel so fucking behind the times, all I see is a chem formula

as in 3 Carbon Atoms, 6 Oxygen, and some form of linked Oxygen & Hydrogen :shrug:

Someone help a guy out?

[Cuban_Liberal]

256. Ethanol.

Beer, I suspect. ;)

[MAlibdem]

257. sometimes...

at the moment I have an infatuation with cheap vodka tho

[DS1]

259. You suspect right

However, beer or not, I would have never guessed ethanol.

:wtf:

[MAlibdem]

258. sorrry, it is a formula...

gots ta be sneaky, doncha know.

[sir_captain]

278. Heh

ethanol (alcohol) is actually CH3CH2OH

so that's a carbon atom connected to 3 hydrogens as well as another carbon atom, and that carbon atom is connected to two more hydrogen atoms plus a hydroxyl group. the hydroxyl group is the fundamental group of an alcohol. Looks something like this, in 2D:

H H
| |
H-C-C-OH
| |
H H

I don't think I could draw the 3D version in ASCII ;-)

Edit: ack, posting it somehow ruins my drawing! Oh well. Imagine the 4 hydrogens and their bonds moved over two spaces each to the right.

[MAlibdem]

279. whoops (nt)

[Bertha Venation]

121. calling 911 to report gunfire near one's house

We've lived in a semi-rural area for three years and have reported gunfire very near our house four times. Are four reports in three years considered frequent? Do the police resent frequent calls for this reason? Does it become a "cry wolf" thing?

Actually, we have deputy sheriffs here, not police -- don't know if that makes a difference.

[Cuban_Liberal]

131. That's not 'crying wolf'.

If you hear gun fire and there's not a reasonable explanation ---deer season, e.g.--- then by all means call and report it. We don't resent people calling 9-1-1- frequesntly, unless they're playing a game of 'get the neighbor', 'harass the son-in-law you hate', etc. . :)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

234. Is it illegal to discharge firearms in your area?

Maybe someone is taking target practice.

[Bertha Venation]

277. Yes. Otherwise I would not call. I'd move.

[Kadie]

125. Domestic Violence calls

From what I hear these can be some of the worst calls for a police office to answer. My questions is, Have you noticed an increase in such calls over the past few years? I would imagine that the violence escalates when the economy is on a down swing. And, is it true that super bowl sunday is one of the worst days of the year for domestic violence calls?

[Cuban_Liberal]

132. I have noticed an increase, yes.

I'm not certain that there is that much more domestic violence, but rather an increased awareness of what it is and a beleief that it is not acceptable any more.


Yes, it's true about the Super Bowl (and Christmas/Christmas Eve)... *sigh*

[DS1]

135. What is the top speed of a given police cruiser

not the "Interceptor" variety, just a typical patrol car. Do you have 0-60 times, and what's the lateral g-rating? Furthermore, what's the front/rear balance ratio of the car, for jumping purposes.

I need to know this for planning purposes no a school project.

[Cuban_Liberal]

141. I don't know all the specs.

I know my patrol car specs out at 140, although our department's Mustang will do 160. As for the other specs, I just don't know. :)

[MAlibdem]

145. I heard that the new H-2's go from 0 to 60 MPH

In 20 seconds...so if one is going from stationary to chase you down, you can prolly get away on the highway.

[citizen snips]

140. did you shot anybody?

[Cuban_Liberal]

148. No.

I've had to draw my gun exactly 5 times, but thank God I've never had to pull the trigger.

[citizen snips]

153. That is good to hear.

[CalebHayes]

150. Whats it like (for you) when RATM comes to town?

[Cuban_Liberal]

157. They've never been here.

Our county is 20K people, and we're far more likely to see Garth Brooks or Reba McIntyre. :P

[CalebHayes]

159. That sucks.

[SmileyBoy]

152. Are you an officer, a sergeant, a lieutenant, etc.???

What rank are you???

[Cuban_Liberal]

161. I just made sergeant.

I'm a 'floating shift commander', which means that depending on whether or not someone who outranks me is on duty at the same time I am, I may or may not be the shift supervisor. :)

[everdene]

156. How true to real cop life is Reno 911?

Who is your favorite on that show? Why?

[Cuban_Liberal]

167. I've never seen Reno 911.

My favorite show on TV is 'Law and Order:SVU'. :)

[citizen snips]

166. I have one more question.

How many prostitutes have you busted?

[JVS]

168. And what were they charging?

There was a thread yesterday where people wanted to know the price levels of prostitutes.

[Kathleen04]

172. Which show is more reflective of your job?

The late 60's, early 70's show Adam-12:



OR

Modern day COPS:



:)

[Cuban_Liberal]

176. Neither one, really, although COPS is probably marginally closer

I'm in a very rural area, and we don't generally have the volume or types of crimes that are most often portrayed in both shows. We do have some, of course, but we also have lots of calls they never have. :)

[Kathleen04]

178. Aha..

Busting hippies for having their music too loud seems like it'd be alot more fun than arresting drunk shirtless guys. :)

[Cuban_Liberal]

215. Well, not if they're CUTE, shirtless guys.

;)

[Kathleen04]

226. But really,

How often does THAT happen? ;)

[Cuban_Liberal]

228. More often than ya might think.

;)

[Kathleen04]

231. Well, lucky you!

:)

[Cuban_Liberal]

238. Lots of farm boys here.

Hard work, good food, nice chests. ;)

[m-jean03]

217. Admit it, you're a cop because

you watched too much Starsky and Hutch when you were young!! Betcha thought they were cute, too! :7

[MAlibdem]

181. Ok, why isn't "I don't know" an acceptable response to a yes or no...

...question?

I was pulled over for being sketchy and behind a school at 12:15am (technically I can't be driving after 12 in MA b/c im under 18 (barely))

The officer said: "Is there any marijuana in the vehicle?"

I said "I don't know, I don't think so" I wasn't sure, I drive people around a lot, who knows what's in my car, and I didn't want to look like an ass if he found some.

He got good and pissed off at me when I kept saying "I dunno" or "I dont think so"

[Cuban_Liberal]

190. I don't know.

I'd have asked some more direct questions, though, like:

"Is this your car?"

"Do YOU know of any reason there MIGHT be marijuana in it?"

"If I search your car, MIGHT I find some marijuana in it and, if so, how would it have gotten there?"

Maybe he was having a bad day... :shrug:

[ronnykmarshall]

182. If Diana Ross was in your town

and was FUCKED UP driving. When you arrested her would you PLEASE tell her to stop being such a bitch to Mary Wilson and Cindy Birdsong?

Tell her IF she reunited with the girls and does a Supremes reunion you'll be easy on her.

Please?? Please??

[Cuban_Liberal]

191. Consider it done.

;)

[name not needed]

184. does king kong got shit on you?

:)

[Cuban_Liberal]

193. Nah. I go to GD:C2004 for monkey feces.

They throw it pretty well over there, most days. ;)

[name not needed]

209. not the answer i expected

have you seen training day?

[rumguy]

195. Have you ever had to fire your weapon while on service?

What kind of pistol is it?

What kind of "shot" is used in the shotguns? I mean is it what hunters would call "buck shot"?

On average, how many times does a police officer fire their weapons during a career? Is it a remarkably rare occurence?

[Cuban_Liberal]

202. I never have.

My service weapons are a Glock 9mm and a S&W .380 (my 'other/ankle' gun). We keep our shotguns (Remington 'Deerslayers') loaded with #2 shot, although we carry 00 rounds, should we need them.

Most officers either never fire their weapon at all (the vast majority), or only once (a small minority).

[Ediacara]

197. a few questions

In 1996, a friend and I had parked in a city park trying to see the Hyakutake Comet. It was a pretty big let down, and the reason we parked in the park is because there were no street lights, and we hoped we would see it better.

Anyway, while in the car, a cop pulled past and shined the spot into the car, and we covered our eyes, and sat up (the seats had been reclined). The cop left his car and pointed a gun on us, saying, "Another sip o' brew's not worth getting shot!"

Which is true, but I don't see how covering our eyes and moving the seats up could be misconstrued as drinking, nor why, even if we were drinking, that would justify pointing a gun at us.

Is pointing a gun as suspected teenage drinkers standard procedure, or was this guy a rookie with nothing better to do?

Second question, what do you think of the WTO "riots" in Seattle in late 1999?

[Cuban_Liberal]

198. It was your sudden movements that brought the weapon out.

It was night, he was alone, there were two of you and he couldn't see what you were doing, or what was in your car beneath the level of your windows. It gets spooky, under those circumstances, at times. Not defending him, because I wasn't there, but based on your own description of your movements, I'd have probably done the same thing.

I don't know enough about the riots in Seattle to make an informed judgment about them, frankly.

[Ediacara]

206. Hmmmmm

I'm not sure that covering my eyes while having a spotlight in them is necisarily "sudden".... But ok.....

[Cuban_Liberal]

212. It's one of those "I meant X but you heard Y" things.

You know your movements were innocent, but the officer didn't know the same thing, so his reaction was one based on a 'protact yourself--always' philosophy. Much easier to put the gun away 30 seconds later and not need it than to need it to defend yourself and not have it out 2 seconds too late... :)

[Ediacara]

218. I understand

but believe me, I just about shit my pants.

[Cuban_Liberal]

225. That gun barrel looked HUGE, didn't it?

I've been there myself, as a teenager, and that gun barrel looks like a cannon barrel, when you're looking at the business end of it. ;)

[Laughing Mirror]

204. You quote Ben Franklin in your signature line

Is it true that Ben Franklin "invented" the police in America and that they did not exist before?

And is it true that the original intention of the police was to protect private property?

I always wanted to be a cop too, but, a convicted felon, that became out of the question.

Thanks.

[Cuban_Liberal]

208. Franklin did organize a constabulary, as I recall.

It was basically a 'subscription' service, much like early fire brigades. Their primary purpose was to protect the property of the subscibers, but I suspect they enjoyed the same powers of arrest that ordinary citizens did (and still do, at least in Illinois). :)

[dolo amber]

216. I don't really have a question, but I do have a story

about my first encounter with the police:

It was 3 months past my 16th birthday, and I'd finally gotten my license. (Parent's worked all the time, no time for practice, etc...) I was, as you might imagine, ecstatic. I'd had it 2 days, and was out at a friend's house one night, just hanging out, when I noticed the time. I was supposed to be home in 10 minutes, and I was a good 20-25 min. from my house. So, after a period of indecisiveness over whether to call home or not (y'know, don't want to appear *irresponsible* and all), I say *Ah, screw it.", jump in the Civic and head out.

Right, so I'm driving along, trying SO hard not to speed, rehearsing what I'm going to use as an excuse. I'm...maybe 3 minutes from home, in our subdivision...quiet...no traffic...so I decide "I ain't stopping at any more of these stop signs". Y'know, shave off another 15 seconds...:eyes:

Well, of course, what happens...*LIGHTS*....I. AM. FREAKING. Remember, I've had my license all of 2 days at this point. The officer comes up...older guy, probably early 50s, asks why I ran the stop sign. He's all "Did you see it there?" And I, now sobbing hysterically, tell him "Yeah, I saw it. I didn't see you though." :D

The poor cop, who I'm sure had seen/heard it all before, got a twinkle in his eyes and coughed politely a couple times. It was obvious he wanted to bust out laughing, but instead he kindly warned me about the importance of stop signs etc. To this day, even on the most remote stretch of road, I come to a full and complete stop.

When I walked in the door, trying like mad to compose myself, my dad (who'd gotten home shortly before I did) says to me (without glancing up from the paper), "What'd he get ya for, speeding?" :D

Ok, so it's not MUCH of a cop story, but I just wanted to tell it. :P

:hi:

[Cuban_Liberal]

221. LOL! Cute story.

:D

[Nailzberg]

219. Get much trouble from the Amish?

They can be real hardasses.

[Cuban_Liberal]

222. Hehe

The Amish are cool as hell, and VERY nice people. If all we had here were Amish, we could get by with just the sheriff, and he wouldn't have to cut into his fishing time much, either. ;)

[mongo]

224. good idea, but...

Hey, this thread was a good idea, too bad most of the posters just took it as an opportunity to vent at perceived "authority" - I was so disgusted I couldn't read most of the posts.

Maybe your post should have been I'm a cop - kick me!

My wife and I own a lingerie and erotic boutique (porn store), in the worst part of town (the only place we could find a landlord who would rent to us). I run off crack dealers and prostitutes from my lot daily, and I love to see a cop car sitting in my lot. They get a good view of "the hood" from here.

Anyway, I just wanted to thank you for your service. You've got one hell of a hard job.

[Cuban_Liberal]

227. Thank you.

It's an honor to serve you folks. :hi:

[Dark]

229. I have a question. Or, rather several related ones:

Is it legal, assuming you have no narcotics on you or paraphanalia, to:

a) Be walking in a park while high? While drunk?

b) Be walking on the sidewalk while high? While drunk?

c) Be in one's own yard/property while high? While drunk?

d) Be in one's own house while high? While drunk?

e) Be in a public place (movie theater, dance club, etc.) while high? While drunk?

[Cuban_Liberal]

235. That would depend on state or local law.

In Illinois, there is no state offense of being intoxicated in public, although many communities make it a petty offense. It is not ill;egal to be intoxicated in your home, although it may be (emphasis on 'may') illegal to be high in your own home. :)

[Dark]

244. Thanks.

I know you people are disparaged by alot of my peers, but I do respect you guys and appreciate what you guys do (except the DEA. They live off of ruining innocent people's lives) and I am thankful that you guys are willing to put yourselves in harm's way to protect me.

Also, do you know where I could check out to find what are the penalties, if any, for those acts? I know several officers, but I don't want to ask them. Asking Officer 'Brown' if I smoke an entire joint then go rolling down hills in a dog park and be legal is probably a bad idea, especially since Officer 'Brown' knows my parents.

Thanks again. I know you guys take alot of heat, but remember that the majority of people DO support you guys.

[Cuban_Liberal]

247. Findlaw.com might be able to help.

If not, I'm sure your local library has a set of state statutes, and the municipal code. No one will look at ya twice for asking to see those. :)

[Dark]

249. Thanks, oh and one more thing

is there a legal difference between hash and marijuana?

[Cuban_Liberal]

250. Again, state law would determine that.

:hi:

[JohnLocke]

232. Do you, as a liberal cop, believe in capital punishment? (nt)

[Cuban_Liberal]

236. No, I don't.

I think that capital punishment is a barbaric relic of the past, and that no truly civilized nation would employ it.

[JohnLocke]

273. Good (nt).

[drumwolf]

241. Who do the majority of cops tend to support, Bush or Kerry?

n/t

[Cuban_Liberal]

243. Most will support Kerry.

Bush has screwed all emergency services monetarily since he became POTUS, and then proceeded to thin our ranks with the Iraq War. Most cops I know despise the man, even the Republicans...

[PittPoliSci]

276. I've found this to be true of Firefighters as well.

As a volunteer, none of us can stand him for cutting our funding.

[terrya]

242. Just a comment. I wish all cops were like you, Cuban_Liberal.

I've read your responses on here...you personify professionalism, dedication and respect of the law. Thank you for protecting us.

Terry

[Cuban_Liberal]

245. Most cops are just normal people trying to do a very difficult job.

Virtually every cop I know just tries to do the best he/she can; like any profession, we have our highly-visible/memorable share of buttheads, but they're a distinct minority, and not well-liked by other cops, because they make the rest of us look bad. :)

[DS1]

246. Tell us about the dumbest damn criminal you've ever seen

These are always good stories

[Cuban_Liberal]

248. Tough question!

As a class of people, criminals have very few 'Einsteins' among their ranks. Hmmm...

I suppose THE dumbest thing I ever saw someone do was try to post bail for forgery with another check forged on the same account. :P

[EV1Ltimm]

251. would you ever...

consider replacing your limbs with cybernetic components to give you incredible strength and unparalleled accuracy with outrageously large guns?


^Insert Cuban_Liberal Here

:)

[Cuban_Liberal]

252. Only my *limbs*?

Hmmm... If I could replce somethinge else at the same time, maybe. :evilgrin:

[m-jean03]

263. I call that the "third leg"

;-)

[rumguy]

261. Do cops lean dem or pubbie?

Or is it hard to say?

ON EDIT: got my answer above

[NewHampshireDem]

264. Thanks for your posts, Cuban_Liberal!

I too appreciate you taking the time to answer questions ... and appreciate that you kept your cool in light of some baiting by poor sports. Even more than that, I appreciate that you put your life on the line everyday to protect your fellow citizens.

Not to be overly dramatic, but very few of us here--least of all myself--have jobs where there is a very real possibility that we won't come home from work that night. I don't know that I could do it, so I'm glad that you can. :toast:

As for all the of legal aspects of citizen/police relations, Findlaw is an excellent resource, as is Lexis-Nexis. The Legal Information Institute is helpful as well: http://www.law.cornell.edu/ What most folks out there don't realize is you really need to look at the case law, as the specifics of each individual case really determine what is legal.

[Cuban_Liberal]

265. You're quite welcome.

It's an honor to be allowed to wear the uniform and to protect and serve you guys. Most of us try very hard to do the very best we can each and every day, and make every effort not to betray the trust you place in us.

Reagrding the 'not coming home' thing, it's always in the back of your mind, but you just can't allow yourself to dwell on it. Truck drivers (e.g.) drive hundreds of thousands of miles a year, and might get killed in an MVA, but they don't let that stop them from driving.

:)

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

267. Do you personally prefer playing "Good cop" or "Bad cop"

when questioning someone?

[Cuban_Liberal]

270. I leave that sorta stuff to the detectives.

I'm just myself--- mellow, but blunt. :)

[proud patriot]

269. Just want to say thank you for being a cop

tough job and I'm thankful there are police to call.

[Cuban_Liberal]

271. Thank you.

The honor is all mine. :)

[Dying Eagle]

274. I smoke Pot

by myself, once a week as the 23 year old adult that i am. I think it is my right. Do you have a problem with that?

[Cuban_Liberal]

292. Nope. I have no problem with that at all.

I think that pot should be decriminalized.

[Nevernose]

280. Why can't you spell or write legibly? (serious questions, too)

I don't mean you, personally. I mean cops in a very general sense. I spend all day in the D.A.'s office, or Probation, reading, sorting, and processing police reports, and occasionally counseling juvenile delinquents. If I can't figure out what your name is, much less the accused, because of sloppy handwriting, then there's an issue. In my younger days I was a crimnal/delinquent, and learned to hate cops. After having spent a few years doing their paperwork, I've come to loathe them ;-)

In all seriousness, though: how much training in the law do cops receive? I find it frustrating when someone is charged with the wrong crime (larceny as oposed to robbery or burglary, for instance).

What in the name of God would the police violate someone's civil rights? Suspects have very few left anyway...is it that hard to read them their rights? I've seen scum released because their freaking rights weren't read to them. The police have had thirty years to memorize Miranda, what gives? (In the interest of fairness, I should say that I've never personally witnessed a violent offender -- robbery, murder, rape, etc. -- released because of a procedural problem, but the principle remains the same).

Why do C.O.'s tend to be such fucking psychos? As someone who has not only been in jail, but since worked in one, I have seen some truly brutal shit.


Should I be a cop, or go to law school and become a D.A.? Or perhaps go into probation? If you could do it over again, what would you have done?

[Cuban_Liberal]

296. You get what you pay for.

Police are like oats: if you want top-quality oats, you should expect to pay a fair price, but if you don't mind oats that have already been run through the horse, you can get them at a much lower price. *grin* Seriously, though...

Most older officers are not well-educated, frankly, while younger ones tend to be, at least here in IL. My department requires that new officers have a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or uiniversity, and they pay accordingly. We're also required to complete an additional 600-hour course at the Illinois State Police Academy wherein we are schooled in constitutional law (State and Federal), the Illinois Criminal Code, the law of evidence, criminal procedure, report writing, etc., in addition to more 'technical' subjects, like firearms training, high-speed pursuit driving/defensive driving, hand-to-hand combat and the like. I think this is probably where most of the problems you describe vis a vis paperwork originates, frankly.

I can't tell you why some officers violate a suspect's rights. Some officers are sadists, I'm sure, and others may be sociopaths. *shrug* I've never felt the need to do anything that would violate a suspect's rights and agree that it's not hard to respect the rights they do have, seeing how few they are at the time of their arrest.

I'm going to start law school this coming August, and plan on becoming a sole practicioner right here in my village of 2900. I would become a cop again, because I've enjoyed the experience and have learned a TON about people and human behavior.

:)

[bain_sidhe]

281. How do good cops deal with bad cops?

From what I'm reading here, you're one of the good guys - and I've known others like you - so my question is really about what allows the "bad cops" to survive in the system.

And by "bad cops," I mean those who get off on a power trip. Do you ignore it (as in pretend it doesn't happen) and hope the superiors will take care of it? Or shun the bad cops, not have anything to do with them unless you're ordered to? Support them in public out of solidarity, but privately tell them to cool it? Turn 'em in/throw them to the wolves?

And (part two) as a sometimes shift-supervisor, which do you feel has more impact in preventing bad cops, the attitude of the superiors (not tolerating it) or the attitude of the fellow (same level) cops not tolerating it?

[Cuban_Liberal]

297. I'd turn them in.

I have no use for anyone who cannot do their job properly, and who would abuse the trust the public has reposed in us. I would turn a bad cop in in a heartbeat, and would feel no remorse or regret as a result.

I think that the 'persona' of any department is set by the supervisory personnel, and any department that has a problem with 'bad cops' is being run by bad cops.

[Champ]

282. Not a question but would like a comment

Ok, I've only been charged and I admitted guilt for 2 things. #1 Drug Paraphernalia(a tin foil pipe), and minor possession of tobacco products(though they weren't mine). Do I sound like a bad criminal? Though I will admit I've done worst. I've encountered cops much more then I can count and the ones here in my city are assholes(no offense to you). When I was young (14), every time I encountered police officers in my city they were complete assholes to me and my mother. 'Dumb ass' 'retarded' was one of the nicer terms I've been called, I'm not lying. But there was one time where I was stopped by a DPS officer(a long story but charges were eventually dropped) and he was polite, respectful, etc and it was weird because I didn't expect that. From the cops from my city I have not once experienced that kind of behavior from someone in uniform. Same with the Flagstaff cops(the ones who arrested me for the tin foil pipe). That is how I lost my overall resentment for cops in general, I know alot of them really want to do good for the community. I almost cried when I seen a videotape on TV of a police officer rescuing a baby that survived a devastating tornado. Though last summer a friend of mine who I went to high school was shot several times by police officers in my city. The story is that he came home drunk and was acting a little crazy and his parents just wanted to call police over to detain him overnight. Well apparently 8 cop cars showed out(Mesa cops, they always have to bring more cops then they need, there was 5 of them when I got a ticket for the tobacco possession) and the kid came out with a dull kitchen knife and according to his sister who was there said he stopped approaching when they said freeze. Didn't matter they started shooting. The parents were outraged and it made the news for about a week. This was not the only time when Mesa police officers shot, (in fact that shooting was their 3rd in 5 days which resulted in death, though the other 2 were pretty understandable) it has happened numerous times and from the attitudes of most Mesa police officers in general it doesn't surprise me. I do have a question though, what makes some police departments in general more rude, disrespectful, etc then others? High Crime? How they conduct things? Training? Same with police departments that have officers alot like you.(I don't know how you are but you seem to be very professional and genuinely want to improve your community) Also curious about when police officers can conduct a pat down search on someone? It seems like every single time I've been stopped I've been patted down and searched which is why I made a habit of throwing my stash(marijuana, I don't even think about doing other stuff) whenever a cop car approaches. I'm just wondering can cops feel free to do that whenever he wants or does something have to happen in order for him to search you? That is how I got busted with a tin foil pipe and cigarettes, from a pat down search. I have to say this though, there are a few a Mesa police officers that were respectful, courtesy, etc. Thanks for your time and giving us an opportunity to ask you questions because ALOT of people have questions about police work. Sorry about the long post to, just had alot to get off my mind. :)

[0007]

284. Who were the DUers that made this suggestion?

[Cuban_Liberal]

301. Unless he/she tells me it's OK, I'd rather not say.

The idea came in a DU e-mail, and I never thought to ask about revealing the ID. :shrug:

[Name removed]

288. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[m-jean03]

291. Hello again!

Sick of these yet? :-)

Well, I've got a serious one for you...

Starsky or Hutch?

[Zinfandel]

293. How come my cop friends always have the best smoke?

[Cuban_Liberal]

300. I dunno.

Maybe they know a better class of dealer? :P

[liberalhistorian]

294. How do you handle

having a job where there's a real chance that when you walk out the door in the morning, you might not be coming back in the evening? Does the fear of what could very realistically happen at any minute during your shift ever get to you too much?

I gotta hand it to you, I really don't think I could handle that for even two minutes. My stepbrothers are both sheriff's deputies, and they tell me that they just don't think about it, they force it out of their minds. They have to, or they wouldn't be able to function. Is that the way it is for most cops?

And how can I get my local cops interested in solving my robbery (I was robbed at gunpoint in my car last summer in my work parking lot). They have his picture because the idiot punk was dumb enough, after getting my ATM card and forcing the PIN number out of me by moving his gun from my ribs and jamming it in my neck, to take money out of my account from the ATM at the main branch of my bank. But nothing's been done since, and no one seems interested at all in doing anything to catch the guy. I guess if he'd actually shot me, they'd be doing something.

[Cuban_Liberal]

299. Whoa! Raise hell until someone pays attention, is my advice.

They have his PICTURE and they haven't done anything? Hmmm... If I were you, I'd start calling the detective(s) handling your case every week and politely but pointedly inquire what's going on with your case. Don't get smart or caustic with them, but let them know you've not decided to 'let it go', as some victims do. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. :)

I really don't think about getting shot, because it wouldn't help me to do my job. I'm like your step-brothers--- I just don't think about it.

[liberalhistorian]

304. So I should call them, say,

every Monday then? I do understand that they have their hands full and that there are probably far more serious thugs to catch, and that mine certainly isn't the only case they have to deal with. But it makes me crazy to think the guy's still out there and I have no idea where, and that he might get away with stealing almost a thousand dollars of my money from my own ATM account.

[NNadir]

303. How come I've never heard of anyone getting a traffic ticket for

tailgating? It's one of the most dangerous of traffic violations and people do it constantly, but no one ever gets a ticket for it?

[ButterflyBlood]

307. YES! that pisses me off more than anything else when I drive

Especially if I'm already 10 miles over the speed limit.

[Endangered Specie]

306. Ive got to ask this...

Doughnuts? not trying to be mean, just curious. Is it true that most cops eat doughnuts?

[Skittles]

308. LOL.........................Cuban_Liberal

I knew you'd hit the spot. I will have to read everything later when I have a better speed going. :D

:hi: