Hello everyone!  First off let me say that I decided to start this thread after getting PM'd by a couple people who know me.  For a little background; I started playing police mods back at the inception of LCPDFR for GTA IV.  On my profile you will see I have made some texture mods, which were orginally for my enjoyment until I released them.  I was in college back then and only had aspirations of getting into law enforcement.  Fast forward all of these years later and I am a full time police officer currently working in Florida.  I have worked for a large department in Broward County and I now work for a medium sized city in Palm Beach County.  I find that people are constantly interested in law enforcement information, but are either too embarrassed to ask questions or don't know where to turn.  I hope to turn this thread into something that LSPDFR members will utilize to reach out and ask any questions they want to be answered by me (or any active LEOs) on the forum.  For some reference I am currently on road patrol.  I have been an explorer post advisor, I am a DUI and narcotics specialist and I am also trained as a hostage negotiator.  Ask away!

Edited January 31, 20197 yr by McGillicuddyAP

So with the patrol car, do you use the same one every shift or do you have a different car each shift?

1 hour ago, 0taku said:

So with the patrol car, do you use the same one every shift or do you have a different car each shift?

 

Great question.  With my department, we are issued take home vehicles that are ours.  If you live in the Town, you can use them off duty to do personal errands, but you must have your radio and firearm with you.  Some smaller agencies do not issue take home cars and I know in California it is standard practice to check out a car once you clear roll call.  In Florida, most departments will issue you your own car after you clear field training.

Weirdest call and weirdest item you've found on someone

Thanks for the opportunity you give us!

 

I'm very interested in the investigative part of police work in the US. How does you department handle detectives? Is it a permanent assignment? Do candidates receive any additional training on criminal investigation before they become detectives?

 

Another one, about jurisdiction: you mentioned that you're an officer in a city, which is in a county. Do you have jurisdiction outside of the city limits? If not, what would you do if an offense was committed in the city, but the violator is located in the county -- would you go after him yourself or ask the local LEOs for help?

On ‎2‎/‎1‎/‎2019 at 4:32 AM, EasternDigger said:

Weirdest call and weirdest item you've found on someone

Weirdest call was my second day on field training when I was right out of the academy.  I walked into a living room on a welfare check and there was 20 year old Indian guy, butt naked on the floor, covered in KY jelly, with his left fist completely inserted in his rectum screaming "come get me".

 

Weirdest item found would be a bed pan concealed down someones pants.

On ‎2‎/‎2‎/‎2019 at 7:06 PM, Hastings said:

Thanks for the opportunity you give us!

 

I'm very interested in the investigative part of police work in the US. How does you department handle detectives? Is it a permanent assignment? Do candidates receive any additional training on criminal investigation before they become detectives?

 

Another one, about jurisdiction: you mentioned that you're an officer in a city, which is in a county. Do you have jurisdiction outside of the city limits? If not, what would you do if an offense was committed in the city, but the violator is located in the county -- would you go after him yourself or ask the local LEOs for help?

 

Those are great questions.  I will answer your questions in the order you asked them.  The first thing to remember with the detective position at almost all police departments is that it is a lateral promotion.  In other words, you must start your career as a road patrol or beat cop, working the street taking calls.  This is where you learn your investigative skills.  At my department as with most, detective is a permanent position.  At my agency now all of our detectives are "general assignment" meaning they could get anything from a burglary to a homicide assigned to them.  My previous police department, which was about twice the size, gave detective specific assignments, such as sex crimes, violent crimes, persons crimes and fraud.  If you become a detective you will be sent to advanced training in investigations and interviews.  In my area, we can go take the same classes you would need to be a detective so that we can start building our resume before we have to apply for an opening.

 

The jurisdiction question is great.  So yes, I work for an incorporated town within a county.  My police "powers" are in full effect within the town limits, but I technically have police authority in the entire state.  My agency has what are called MOU (memorandum's of understanding) with surrounding agencies.  This means that the jurisdictions we have an agreement with allow us to enforce state statute in their territory.  For instance, if I observe a traffic violation occur in my presence, but it is 100 yards away in the neighboring jurisdiction, the MOU allows me to drive over, pull the car over and lawfully write the citation without being legally challenged on my authority at that location.  I have written tickets and even made arrests in other jurisdictions, depending on the circumstances.  If I need to go arrest someone and it is more than a ten minute drive for me and my sergeant wont approve it, I have the local agency go pick the person up.  This is because as LEO's in Florida the law allows what is called "transference of probable cause".  This means I can call a cop anywhere in the state and tell them to go arrest a person in their jurisdiction, and they can do so based off my word alone that I have probable cause to arrest.

 

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, McGillicuddyAP said:

Weirdest call was my second day on field training when I was right out of the academy.  I walked into a living room on a welfare check and there was 20 year old Indian guy, butt naked on the floor, covered in KY jelly, with his left fist completely inserted in his rectum screaming "come get me".

 

Weirdest item found would be a bed pan concealed down someones pants.

 

Those are great questions.  I will answer your questions in the order you asked them.  The first thing to remember with the detective position at almost all police departments is that it is a lateral promotion.  In other words, you must start your career as a road patrol or beat cop, working the street taking calls.  This is where you learn your investigative skills.  At my department as with most, detective is a permanent position.  At my agency now all of our detectives are "general assignment" meaning they could get anything from a burglary to a homicide assigned to them.  My previous police department, which was about twice the size, gave detective specific assignments, such as sex crimes, violent crimes, persons crimes and fraud.  If you become a detective you will be sent to advanced training in investigations and interviews.  In my area, we can go take the same classes you would need to be a detective so that we can start building our resume before we have to apply for an opening.

 

The jurisdiction question is great.  So yes, I work for an incorporated town within a county.  My police "powers" are in full effect within the town limits, but I technically have police authority in the entire state.  My agency has what are called MOU (memorandum's of understanding) with surrounding agencies.  This means that the jurisdictions we have an agreement with allow us to enforce state statute in their territory.  For instance, if I observe a traffic violation occur in my presence, but it is 100 yards away in the neighboring jurisdiction, the MOU allows me to drive over, pull the car over and lawfully write the citation without being legally challenged on my authority at that location.  I have written tickets and even made arrests in other jurisdictions, depending on the circumstances.  If I need to go arrest someone and it is more than a ten minute drive for me and my sergeant wont approve it, I have the local agency go pick the person up.  This is because as LEO's in Florida the law allows what is called "transference of probable cause".  This means I can call a cop anywhere in the state and tell them to go arrest a person in their jurisdiction, and they can do so based off my word alone that I have probable cause to arrest.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alright that first story was ten out of ten for mere days out of the academy. Like the thread concept and can imagine a lot of laughs and information being learned from this. Out of curiosity have you ever been in a vehicular pursuit with a suspect or suspect(s)?. And if so what speeds did you reach during that pursuit and what vehicle were you using at the time?. Also my mother lives down in Panama City Fl, the State is too flat for me but she loves it, I often worry for her because the area is not so good. She could get a Conceal And Carry Permit in 10 days with two papers in the mail there, but refuses to do so. Even after being attacked by pitbulls and nearly being killed, drives me bonkers. 

Edited February 6, 20197 yr by BlueLineBacker

13 hours ago, BlueLineBacker said:

 

Alright that first story was ten out of ten for mere days out of the academy. Like the thread concept and can imagine a lot of laughs and information being learned from this. Out of curiosity have you ever been in a vehicular pursuit with a suspect or suspect(s)?. And if so what speeds did you reach during that pursuit and what vehicle were you using at the time?. Also my mother lives down in Panama City Fl, the State is too flat for me but she loves it, I often worry for her because the area is not so good. She could get a Conceal And Carry Permit in 10 days with two papers in the mail there, but refuses to do so. Even after being attacked by pitbulls and nearly being killed, drives me bonkers. 

if he had some 20 year old Indian guy, butt naked on the floor, covered in KY jelly, I'm sure he has.

6 minutes ago, EasternDigger said:

if he had some 20 year old Indian guy, butt naked on the floor, covered in KY jelly, I'm sure he has.

 

Suppose We'll have to wait and find out lol. I'm sure you take more calls then you do get into car chases however, I know State Troopers who have been on the road over ten years and never fired a shot or had to chase anyone. Just wrote tickets and did paperwork and traffic stops over and over.

51 minutes ago, BlueLineBacker said:

 

Suppose We'll have to wait and find out lol. I'm sure you take more calls then you do get into car chases however, I know State Troopers who have been on the road over ten years and never fired a shot or had to chase anyone. Just wrote tickets and did paperwork and traffic stops over and over.

Well shooting I understand.

On 2/6/2019 at 6:28 AM, McGillicuddyAP said:

In other words, you must start your career as a road patrol or beat cop, working the street taking calls.  This is where you learn your investigative skills.

Thanks for the detailed answers and your time! I enjoy learning something new about the US law (and law enforcement), it's so different from my home.

 

A follow up question -- with regard to statues. I think I heard somewhere that technically you can charge the same action under state law or under a municipal ordinance. Is this really a thing? If it is, is it completely up to you to decide?

 

 

Currently I'm in college playing baseball and pursuing a bachelors with the only intention to go into law enforcement as my father was an LEO for 17 years and worked task force for the DEA for a few years, the only reason I am going into college is to give myself time to mature and obtain a degree to be a more competitive candidate at a larger agency that I desire. But my question is do you believe I still have a legitimate shot at going to a larger more competitive agency after graduating college (as I know many start off at a smaller agency and work up to a large department) as I have made some mistakes in the past when it comes to experimenting with illicit substances as I graduated high school in Colorado. Although I've never been ticketed, arrested, or even in any legitimate trouble with law enforcement or any trouble even during school. I am still worried because of the amount of times I experimented in high school as I believe it may give room to question my character, obviously I will not try to cover or deceive my past in any application phase and I have abstained from any use of substances since besides occasionally drinking and using a fraudulent ID at bars. Do you believe it is enough to become a large issue when I start applying in the future? Like I'm aware you can look this up specifically for some departments and see how many times using a certain substance will qualify as "experimental" or "habitual" use but have you heard of anyone with a similar story? (For the record I only experimented never distributed).

Ever smoked weed?

Hello! First off, thank you for your service. So, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently. I’m 18 closing in on graduating high school. For awhile I was planning on joining the military but I’ve been putting more thought into it. I think I’d rather become a LEO in the state of Florida instead of joining the military. Now, the reserves is always an option but I don’t think I’d enjoy it really. Although the reserves has great benefits. But I would really rather pursue my dream of being a police officer in substitute of joining the military. What would you suggest? Do you think it’s fine to just go straight to the police academy? Or join the military first? I’m just afraid I won’t like the military, and I’ll regret joining, and I know I won’t regret being a police officer. The only reason the military is still up on the table is because of extra money and benefits. Also, when attending the police academy in the state of Florida is it okay to join as long as you’ll be 19 by graduation? Or do you actually have to be 19 to even apply? I did look a little into it but wasn’t really sure, and I’m talking about the Volusia County / Daytona beach area. Thank you!

How do you behave with tourists?

On ‎4‎/‎10‎/‎2019 at 10:55 PM, Raspy07 said:

Hello! First off, thank you for your service. So, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently. I’m 18 closing in on graduating high school. For awhile I was planning on joining the military but I’ve been putting more thought into it. I think I’d rather become a LEO in the state of Florida instead of joining the military. Now, the reserves is always an option but I don’t think I’d enjoy it really. Although the reserves has great benefits. But I would really rather pursue my dream of being a police officer in substitute of joining the military. What would you suggest? Do you think it’s fine to just go straight to the police academy? Or join the military first? I’m just afraid I won’t like the military, and I’ll regret joining, and I know I won’t regret being a police officer. The only reason the military is still up on the table is because of extra money and benefits. Also, when attending the police academy in the state of Florida is it okay to join as long as you’ll be 19 by graduation? Or do you actually have to be 19 to even apply? I did look a little into it but wasn’t really sure, and I’m talking about the Volusia County / Daytona beach area. Thank you!

 

Not to hijack the thread, but let me chime in. Depending on what department you're looking to get into. Military service goes a long way when applying to any law enforcement agency. Think of it as points added towards you when being compared to another candidate. A lot of departments here in Northeast where I am require at least an associates degree with most wanting a bachelors. I like yourself thought I needed military to get into law enforcement, but I was wrong. I wanted to be a state police officer so I applied to all the state agencies within the tristate area, I got accepted to two and chose one that I thought would fit my personality and interests the most. Not really up and up on municipalities and their academies, but I can tell  you most if not all state police academies are no joke. You better be in the best shape of your life or, one you won't get accepted (pass the physical fitness test) or two you'll wash out. I attended a state police academy which was residential 5 days a week. Leave Friday evening return Sunday evening. You're shot, you hate your life, but you make life long friends and have great stories that no one besides your police buddies care about, ask my wife. I am no longer a police officer moved onto a different line of work, but I enjoyed it while it lasted. A lot of the guys in the academy were former military along with most the ATO's (academy training officers) which enjoy making your life a living hell on a daily basis.

Edited May 2, 20196 yr by Damostar

On ‎4‎/‎10‎/‎2019 at 3:18 AM, officerdonny said:

Currently I'm in college playing baseball and pursuing a bachelors with the only intention to go into law enforcement as my father was an LEO for 17 years and worked task force for the DEA for a few years, the only reason I am going into college is to give myself time to mature and obtain a degree to be a more competitive candidate at a larger agency that I desire. But my question is do you believe I still have a legitimate shot at going to a larger more competitive agency after graduating college (as I know many start off at a smaller agency and work up to a large department) as I have made some mistakes in the past when it comes to experimenting with illicit substances as I graduated high school in Colorado. Although I've never been ticketed, arrested, or even in any legitimate trouble with law enforcement or any trouble even during school. I am still worried because of the amount of times I experimented in high school as I believe it may give room to question my character, obviously I will not try to cover or deceive my past in any application phase and I have abstained from any use of substances since besides occasionally drinking and using a fraudulent ID at bars. Do you believe it is enough to become a large issue when I start applying in the future? Like I'm aware you can look this up specifically for some departments and see how many times using a certain substance will qualify as "experimental" or "habitual" use but have you heard of anyone with a similar story? (For the record I only experimented never distributed).

 

Have to admit it's kind of ironic considering your dad was with the DEA. All laughs aside keep doing what you're doing besides drugs. The agency I worked for which was a state agency required a polygraph test before being accepted into the academy. You'll be assigned a background investigator that will thoroughly look into you and your past. Don't lie about anything if caught doing so you're done, they'll move onto another more honest candidate. If it was merely experimenting and it wasn't anything "heavy" you should be okay. In my book experimenting is a one time thing, but you allude too doing drugs numerous times. Watch the way you word things it could come back to haunt you. We're all humans at the end of the day and we make mistakes, just own up to it.

On 4/10/2019 at 12:38 PM, Riley24 said:

Ever smoked weed?

 

Yes.  Most police officers have smoked weed at some point in their life.  When it comes to getting hired you just need to be honest about and make sure that enough time has elapsed between your last use and application time.  For instance, I last smoked marijuana in the summer of 2006 and went into the police academy 10 years later. 

On 2/5/2019 at 11:24 PM, Kifflommer said:

 

Alright that first story was ten out of ten for mere days out of the academy. Like the thread concept and can imagine a lot of laughs and information being learned from this. Out of curiosity have you ever been in a vehicular pursuit with a suspect or suspect(s)?. And if so what speeds did you reach during that pursuit and what vehicle were you using at the time?. Also my mother lives down in Panama City Fl, the State is too flat for me but she loves it, I often worry for her because the area is not so good. She could get a Conceal And Carry Permit in 10 days with two papers in the mail there, but refuses to do so. Even after being attacked by pitbulls and nearly being killed, drives me bonkers. 

I have been in multiple pursuits.  Contrary to television, pursuits are pretty scary for all involved and are extremely dangerous.  At my current department we utilize spike strips, intentional contact, boxing maneuvers and the PIT maneuver to end pursuits.  Almost every authorized pursuit I have been in has gone trip digits but some have been much slower.  I currently drive a 2013 Charger and at my old PD had a 2011 Crown Vic.

On 4/10/2019 at 3:18 AM, officerdonny said:

Currently I'm in college playing baseball and pursuing a bachelors with the only intention to go into law enforcement as my father was an LEO for 17 years and worked task force for the DEA for a few years, the only reason I am going into college is to give myself time to mature and obtain a degree to be a more competitive candidate at a larger agency that I desire. But my question is do you believe I still have a legitimate shot at going to a larger more competitive agency after graduating college (as I know many start off at a smaller agency and work up to a large department) as I have made some mistakes in the past when it comes to experimenting with illicit substances as I graduated high school in Colorado. Although I've never been ticketed, arrested, or even in any legitimate trouble with law enforcement or any trouble even during school. I am still worried because of the amount of times I experimented in high school as I believe it may give room to question my character, obviously I will not try to cover or deceive my past in any application phase and I have abstained from any use of substances since besides occasionally drinking and using a fraudulent ID at bars. Do you believe it is enough to become a large issue when I start applying in the future? Like I'm aware you can look this up specifically for some departments and see how many times using a certain substance will qualify as "experimental" or "habitual" use but have you heard of anyone with a similar story? (For the record I only experimented never distributed).

 

The best thing to do is be honest.   Each department has specific disqualifiers so you need to reach out to each department and ask about them.  I have a close friend from the academy that used cocaine in college.  Ten years later we were in the academy applying for jobs and he was completely honest about it.  Not only did he get hired quickly but he is a well-respected cop in our county and just became a field training officer.  Honesty is everything in this profession so if you don't have it at the application stage then this is not the career for you.

On 4/10/2019 at 10:55 PM, Raspy07 said:

Hello! First off, thank you for your service. So, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking recently. I’m 18 closing in on graduating high school. For awhile I was planning on joining the military but I’ve been putting more thought into it. I think I’d rather become a LEO in the state of Florida instead of joining the military. Now, the reserves is always an option but I don’t think I’d enjoy it really. Although the reserves has great benefits. But I would really rather pursue my dream of being a police officer in substitute of joining the military. What would you suggest? Do you think it’s fine to just go straight to the police academy? Or join the military first? I’m just afraid I won’t like the military, and I’ll regret joining, and I know I won’t regret being a police officer. The only reason the military is still up on the table is because of extra money and benefits. Also, when attending the police academy in the state of Florida is it okay to join as long as you’ll be 19 by graduation? Or do you actually have to be 19 to even apply? I did look a little into it but wasn’t really sure, and I’m talking about the Volusia County / Daytona beach area. Thank you!

I will tell you that with most placed in Florida you can self-sponsor to the academy at 19 years old but that's all that means.  Actually getting hired at 19 years old is almost unheard of.  If I were you I would either go to college or the military.  After four years of either you will be older, more mature and will have a much better chance at getting hired and being mature enough to make it through hiring, the academy, field training and probation.