Posted on 01/09/2006 8:57:21 PM PST by Philistone
The large majority of my experiences with law enforcement have been positive (including the one time I was a perp [25 odd years ago for a DUI]).
The majority of officers I have met personally have been courteous, friendly, great fun to party with, and generally "good people".
I'm curious, though, what YOU think of your job, your responsibilities and the power that you wield.
Questions for law officers:
Is there a point at which you lose track (or interest) in the idea that "all people are innocent until proven guilty"? [ It must be tough seeing obviously guilty people get off because of "technicalities"]
Do you think (or care) about the consequences of your actions in marginal cases? [Are there times when you just have to do your job even though it seems obvious that nothing you do will help or change the situation?]
What made you go into law enforcement?
"Protect and Serve" is a noble ideal. (Be honest) How much of what you do and why you became an officer involve "protecting and serving" and how much involves "putting bad guys in jail and preferably shooting them first"? Is there a difference?
And before I get ZOTTED, no, I'm not a troll or a DUmmie. I'm just curious about the general sentiments of those who are involved in law enforcment and the reasons that they do a very difficult job for relatively low pay.
When you write your book, remember that every police investigation involves at least one visit to a strip joint. Especially if you want it on the big screen. :-)
Were there any dirty HMs? Did you ever have to help IA bust any of your fellow HMs?
When in doubt, never talk to a cop. You have no legal obligation to answer any question unless someone is in immediate danger. If in a vehicle, you must provide you driver's license and the vehicle registration. Other than that, it is best to simply tell them you want to talk to your attorney.
If questioned about a crime that has been committed, NEVER, EVER talk to an attorney, even if you are innocent. They will twist anything you might say or imply in such a way as to implicate you. Simply tell them you don't know anything and want a lawyer before discussing anything.
Attorney should be cop.
This thread's gone to hell in a handbasket!
I'm sometimes called upon to explain to elected officials the cultural differences between firefighters and police officers. I always say, "firefighters are like construction workers, cops are like used car salesmen." The gift of gab (and persuasion) is a valuable tool to most.
There was this one HM who was taking bribes.
If you had a twinkie, ding dong or the answer's to Miss McNulty's 3rd period math class, you could pretty much run amok up and down his hall.
A sting operation involving the cutest girl in school (and my future ex-wife) and a box of Ho Ho's finally did him in.
Did you have any psychological trauma from those days? Is that what ultimately led to divorce?
When i was in elementary school, we had conscripted hall monitors. They were called into service from the ranks of the students with good citizenship marks. I still recall my stint as an HM conscript.
A quick glance at the 7 years (or simply this thread) of posts/replies I've made to FR should easily answer that question.
Good point. Long as he's not in custody, anything incriminating is fair game, Miranda or not, IIRC (I do real estate now, not criminal defense).
Interesting tidbit about Ernesto Miranda, btw:
"On January 31, 1976, Miranda, then working as a delivery driver, participated in a card game at the La Amapola Bar. A violent fight broke out, and Miranda was mortally wounded with a knife and was dead on arrival at Good Samaritan Hospital. He was thirty four years old. A suspect was arrested and read the Miranda warning. He then declined to give a statement. The suspect was released and supposedly fled to Mexico. The Miranda murder case was closed without apprehending the murderer." (From Wikipedia)
So, what did you have for a uniform?
We had to wear a bright orange sash with "Hall Monitor" emblazoned thereon.
Definitely interview at the hospital. Gotta follow up on leads while they are warm. The witnesses can't really do anything in the waiting room besides wait, anyway. I've even talked to victims while they were being stitched up, if they are the only witness, so I could, you know, do that "calling all cars" thing afterward.
In forty plus years of driving, my only citation came in exactly that situation. The guy was hiding behind a bush on a driveway halfway down a Los Angeles hill noted for being a speed trap. Two weeks before I was cited, there'd been a fatal accident there when someone pulling out of the driveway had misjudged the speed of cross traffic that was going 55 instead of the posted 35.... the exact same thing I was doing.
For the record.........
This is not the first time that I've used the term Ho and my ex-wife in the same sentence.
I had a Safety Patrol Badge once.
Does that count?
Did you tell folks when to cross the street?
No... I found the badge.
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