The official "Ask a cop/deputy anything!" thread

[mahalom3]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

You're with RSO right?

Affirm!! MOVAL!

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by mahalom3

Affirm!! MOVAL!

I remember when you got on.

[mahalom3]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I remember when you got on.

Its been 12 years already and loving it.

[mahalom3]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

I remember when you got on.

What station are you assigned to? or is it 10-35.

[paquet]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

It's quite possibly true that....

• The stop was a reach by that officer.
• The officer actually thought something transpired.
• It's a high crime/drug trafficking area.

Despite having lived in the area for 20 years, there's an underbelly to your city that you may not be privy to.

In the area(s) that I patrol, a casual drive through would have you believe that it's a nice area to be in. Negative!!! It amazes me because as I drive to the station I always find myself looking at problem spots and saying to myself, "Nobody would ever guess that X, Y and Z always happens at that place."
Even in my own city - a really nice suburban area with a fairly affluent resident base - there's a cocaine underbelly that I only became aware of because I knew somebody who was a part of that party/drug scene. High crime areas are even a part of case law, allowing for traffic stops, etc. You having the lump sum of cash was also an articulable reason to investigate, not because it's a crime, but because you had it after leaving a location known for drug transactions.

Just quoting this as I learned of something similar today: So, I've always thought that the place I'm in is nice and drug-free, with drug problems being a Miami thing.
Friends who've lived here a lot longer burst that bubble for me and informed me that the next couple of towns over have serious drug undertones, pills, coke, what not.
I'm fairly oblivious most of the times - only thing I can detect is the smell of weed - "hey, it smells like an xyz concert"

[IllSic_Design]

FYI for the people that didn't know... Drugs(like coke, pills, etc, even when not a problem, are usually common) are in every city no matter how big or small

[UncleWede]

About that right turn thing: Driver making a right turn is SUPPOSED to turn into the closest lane. On a 2-3 lane road, I'm always tempted to make my left turn onto that same road ASSUMING the right-hander will go into the correct lane.

IF we smack, who is at fault? Or is it shared since I didn't ensure that lane was available?

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

About that right turn thing: Driver making a right turn is SUPPOSED to turn into the closest lane. On a 2-3 lane road, I'm always tempted to make my left turn onto that same road ASSUMING the right-hander will go into the correct lane.

IF we smack, who is at fault? Or is it shared since I didn't ensure that lane was available?

When making a left turn you should turn into the left lane if it's a multi lane road you are turning onto. When making a right turn onto a multi lane road you turn into the right or curb lane. If these two events are happening at the same time there should be now issue, the problem always occurs when one of the drivers wants to move to the right or left shortly after the turn, so that's what you are talking about, and you can't move into another lane that is already occupied unless it is safe to do so. Having said that, there was an intersection close to where I used to live, and just past if for those turning left or right going southbound was an on ramp to the highway on the right hand side, about 80% of the folks making the left turn would turn straight into the curb lane. If they hit someone they'd be at fault. I was always careful to stay in the curb lane and also watch out for them because it seemed many weren't watching out for me.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Murf993

When making a left turn you should turn into the left lane if it's a multi lane road you are turning onto. When making a right turn onto a multi lane road you turn into the right or curb lane. If these two events are happening at the same time there should be now issue, the problem always occurs when one of the drivers wants to move to the right or left shortly after the turn, so that's what you are talking about, and you can't move into another lane that is already occupied unless it is safe to do so. Having said that, there was an intersection close to where I used to live, and just past if for those turning left or right going southbound was an on ramp to the highway on the right hand side, about 80% of the folks making the left turn would turn straight into the curb lane. If they hit someone they'd be at fault. I was always careful to stay in the curb lane and also watch out for them because it seemed many weren't watching out for me.

Sedan would have to confirm, but I *THINK* in Cali, the right turn has to go into the curb lane, but the left is free to enter any open lane. REGARDLESS of what's nearby, very few people making right turns want to expend that extra energy to turn the wheel more and stay in the curb lane. . . best I can figure.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Sedan would have to confirm, but I *THINK* in Cali, the right turn has to go into the curb lane, but the left is free to enter any open lane. REGARDLESS of what's nearby, very few people making right turns want to expend that extra energy to turn the wheel more and stay in the curb lane. . . best I can figure.

22100(b) CVC outlines left turns; 22100(a) CVC and the accompanying subsections outline right turns.

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by IllSic_Design

FYI for the people that didn't know... Drugs(like coke, pills, etc, even when not a problem, are usually common) are in every city no matter how big or small

who actually doesn't know this? America is one giant crackhead.

[floridaorange]

Hey Sedan my friend - i'm just curious - i'm sure this has already been asked - but what do you wish more of us citizens understood about the job you have? And how can we be more supportive?

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

Hey Sedan my friend - i'm just curious - i'm sure this has already been asked - but what do you wish more of us citizens understood about the job you have? And how can we be more supportive?

Truthfully......


....that the narratives presented/depicted by the media regarding use(s) of force are bullshit. If I could take every person I knew on a ride along - all liability waived - and have them handle the dangerous calls, they would finally have perspective. Tonight we pulled a gun off of a 13 year old Hispanic female runaway; 105 lbs. soaked and wet. She called dispatch claiming she was lost and didn't know how to get home. A search of her person netted a gun; I noticed a suspicious bulge under her black hoodie. You would've never guessed somebody like her would have a Walther tucked in her underwear.

I think the community could be more supportive by just allowing investigations to take their natural course before vilifying the cop. A body cam doesn't paint the entire picture and the insight it provides is helpful, but limited.

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Truthfully......


....that the narratives presented/depicted by the media regarding use(s) of force are bullshit. If I could take every person I knew on a ride along - all liability waived - and have them handle the dangerous calls, they would finally have perspective. Tonight we pulled a gun off of a 13 year old Hispanic female runaway; 105 lbs. soaked and wet. She called dispatch claiming she was lost and didn't know how to get home. A search of her person netted a gun; I noticed a suspicious bulge under her black hoodie. You would've never guessed somebody like her would have a Walther tucked in her underwear.

I think the community could be more supportive by just allowing investigations to take their natural course before vilifying the cop. A body cam doesn't provide the whole story and the insight it provides kid helpful, but limited.

I remember we used to take people on ride alongs, but were told to keep it sanitized. I would love to take some of the critics of policing out to see the real deal.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Murf993

I remember we used to take people on ride alongs, but were told to keep it sanitized. I would love to take some of the critics of policing out to see the real deal.

They sanitize ours as well, mainly because of liability. We don't really hunt and they try not to sling hot calls to cars with R/A's unless the R/A is a custody deputy preparing to come to patrol or recruits about to graduate the academy. The department doesn't want to get sued because some civilian ride along catches a bullet.

[Murf993]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

They sanitize ours as well, mainly because of liability. We don't really hunt and they try not to sling hot calls to cars with R/A's unless the R/A is a custody deputy preparing to come to patrol or recruits about to graduate the academy. The department doesn't want to get sued because some civilian ride along catches a bullet.

Same here, or it was. I had a cousin who thought she wanted to join the job. This was about 25 years ago. So I arranged for her to go on a ride along, I was working in a small division at the time which was also the busiest division in calls for service per patrol area with 70% being high priority calls. She came out on a Friday evening shift 1700-0300. She got her eyes wide open. She ended up baking cakes for a living.

[paquet]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Truthfully......


....that the narratives presented/depicted by the media regarding use(s) of force are bullshit. If I could take every person I knew on a ride along - all liability waived - and have them handle the dangerous calls, they would finally have perspective. Tonight we pulled a gun off of a 13 year old Hispanic female runaway; 105 lbs. soaked and wet. She called dispatch claiming she was lost and didn't know how to get home. A search of her person netted a gun; I noticed a suspicious bulge under her black hoodie. You would've never guessed somebody like her would have a Walther tucked in her underwear.

I think the community could be more supportive by just allowing investigations to take their natural course before vilifying the cop. A body cam doesn't paint the entire picture and the insight it provides is helpful, but limited.

Wow - I would've never guessed. 13 year old female - would not expect them to have a weapon.
On one hand, growing up with guns, I think it may have been a good thing for her to do something about her personal responsibility and safety, but ffs, she's a child - i feel bad she had such a messed up life that she felt she had to run away, and that too with a gun for her protection (assuming it wasn't for a nefarious purpose).
She's a child - she's got her entire life ahead to make adult decisions - enjoy being a kid as long as one can, never get it back, etc. (but I get it - not everyone gets that luxury, which is a sad social commentary by itself...)

Speaking of body cams, I'm sure you've seen that footage of a female cop having to shoot the guy who kept coming at her. That was an eye opener for me around personal defense.
Personal defense ammo (hollow points) are marketed as the thing to have to stop someone in their tracks.
But that mf kept on coming, her gun (think it was a glock) jammed, she cleared the slide and put a few more holes in the guy before he dropped.
IIRC, she was some champion pistol shooter who was villified for it after the fact - and I'm thinking 'are you armchair quarterbacks nuts? dude is coming at her with a knife or whatever, she's put a few rounds in him and he's still coming. if that isn't a fuck me scary shit moment, what is?'
Sobering thought - cops will encounter such a situation way more often compared to average joe taxpayer who might be unlucky enough to encounter it once in their lifetime, if that.
And said cop will get attacked for their actions after - Seems people just want to attack other people for doing their job without realizing the circumstances or what it takes.
My new theory is they can't publicly attack the current Afghanistan/Iraq vets like they attacked the Vietnam vets, so they go after cops now. (though there are enough "woke" morons who attack current vets too...)

Sorry, I'm chatty this morning - it's the coffee

[UncleWede]

Have you seen last weeks SNL with Chapelle, his monologue?

[rebekahb]

We've had an uptick in car jackings this week in Orleans Parish. This poor guy had all his truck stolen with the bed full of his work tools. The first video is the news video but the second is from his camera on the corner. I wish someone would have put a bullet in these mofo's and dropped them.

The other car jacking someone beat an 80 something year old woman and stole her car. The 2nd yanked the mom & child out of the car & then stole it. All in broad daylight. I don't watch the news but had 3 different people on 3 different days tell me these stories. I'm like damn, need to charge my taser.

https://www.fox8live.com/2020/11/12/...8axKLIvBWuuXBM

[jamesinaz]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Truthfully......


....that the narratives presented/depicted by the media regarding use(s) of force are bullshit. If I could take every person I knew on a ride along - all liability waived - and have them handle the dangerous calls, they would finally have perspective. Tonight we pulled a gun off of a 13 year old Hispanic female runaway; 105 lbs. soaked and wet. She called dispatch claiming she was lost and didn't know how to get home. A search of her person netted a gun; I noticed a suspicious bulge under her black hoodie. You would've never guessed somebody like her would have a Walther tucked in her underwear.

I think the community could be more supportive by just allowing investigations to take their natural course before vilifying the cop. A body cam doesn't paint the entire picture and the insight it provides is helpful, but limited.

I'm there. I recognize that not all use of force is "pretty". And if it is justified someone could get injured seriously. Or if forced to escalate someone might get dead. I withhold judgement both ways until the evidence is completely in.

I remember the Rodney King incident. The media should be sued into non-existence for their role in the riots and deaths that happened when they showed the short clip of what happened. Did Rodney get a few licks he shouldn't have? Yes. Should some of the cops there have been given demotion and/or remedial training? Yes. But Rodney was clearly a scary dude high on something and brought much of it on himself. He was not an innocent motorist pulled over "driving while black". My guess is had he not resisted he would not have been hit at all. We will never know.

On the flip side if an officer is clearly shown to use inappropriate force I want that SOB in prison for a long time. We accord police a level of power in order to allow them to protect us. One abusing that power needs to be handled harshly. But until it is clear the cop was in the wrong I am inclined to believe the cop over the perp.

[UncleWede]

It's late at night. You are headed west thru ag fields, 2 lane road. You are 1/2 mile from the next intersection, light-controlled. You see a single vehicle eastbound, enter the protected left turn pocket that normally does change once a car enters and no traffic oncoming. The eastbound vehicle proceeds to make the left turn while you still observe the westbound traffic has a green light.

Once you reach the intersection, do you A) continue west B) turn north and pull me.. er ah my friend over?

[pennsiveguy]

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

Truthfully......


....that the narratives presented/depicted by the media regarding use(s) of force are bullshit. If I could take every person I knew on a ride along - all liability waived - and have them handle the dangerous calls, they would finally have perspective. Tonight we pulled a gun off of a 13 year old Hispanic female runaway; 105 lbs. soaked and wet. She called dispatch claiming she was lost and didn't know how to get home. A search of her person netted a gun; I noticed a suspicious bulge under her black hoodie. You would've never guessed somebody like her would have a Walther tucked in her underwear.

I think the community could be more supportive by just allowing investigations to take their natural course before vilifying the cop. A body cam doesn't paint the entire picture and the insight it provides is helpful, but limited.

One of the most egregious examples of this ill-informed armchair quarterbacking was a case near me where several units responded to a call of a guy acting erratically and brandishing a sword. Four or five cops had their pistols on him, in a small bedroom, talking with him and trying to de-escalate. He lunged at one of the cops with the sword raised and they all fired, as expected. They guy went down and died on the scene.

The news media expressed shock and outrage that all the cops fired at him, and that he was hit so many times. In addition to being sensational and disrespectful, it demonstrates a profound and willful ignorance of what cops are up against on every shift, and how few options they have in some situations. Everyone with any sense was appalled at how the media handled this, but the media have still not learned to show restraint and patience when it comes to covering use-of-force stories. Even in the era of body cams, important context can be missing if that's all that's taken into account in analyzing an incident.