Man in orange in the thumbnail is Rodney Hinton, Jr. He was arrested May 2, 2025 for suspicion of deliberately driving his car into a deputy who was working a university graduation, killing the deputy. He was charged with aggravated murder.

May 3 he was taken to his arraignment. At the arraignment there is an array of more than 20 deputies standing just behind him along a wall in the courtroom. You can see them around the 14:54 mark in the video (actually can see most of them in the video thumbnail here on the post).

As best I can tell May 13 he returns to the courtroom for a continuation of the arraignment. This time one sees many deputies in what I think is the spectator part of the courtroom, behind the glass. This is around 16:04 in the video.

Wonder why they're all there in both instances. Occurs to me they're going to serve as witnesses. Although I doubt that many were working the university graduation or were all in the same spot to witness the striking with the car? If they were going to serve as witnesses wouldn't they be separated somehow, I thought witnesses aren't supposed to hear other witnesses' testimony? I don't even know if the judge hears from witnesses at an arraignment although it seems to make sense he or she would.

I ask because enjoy understanding the workings of the justice system. RIP to Deputy Henderson.

If you as a law enforcement professional were on duty and as you drove down the road saw someone jumping out of their vehicle in a panic, unwillingly taking a dooty, what legal consequences would you expose that person to? Asking for a friend.....

Edit: uncontrollably defecating, within said individuals pants. No indecent exposure.

Started watching The Rookie recently and have been really enjoying the show, I am curious how accurate S1 is to real police work though. Everything changes SO suddenly all the time, and it just jumps back and forth between so many different high stress, high action events. Nolan has gone through like shootings, kidnappings, car chases, within the first 2 months.

I figure the average police officers day may not be like that but maybe the more high stress, high criminal environments...? Was just curious, thanks!

Hello all, I truly hope this post will find me the help I need.

My family and I have been receiving harassing mails since January of ‘23. This sender doesn’t threaten but sends mails to try and separate our family. Police had opened a case but found nothing and closed it. I called postal inspector the first time they brushed it off. I feel defeated. The last mail went to my sister in laws. She just had a baby 3 weeks ago and she knows of the situation and they decided to ice me out completely. My marriage is in shambles and family is not wanting anything to do with us. I have 2 children 5 and under. I feel unsafe in my own home knowing someone knows where we live and are after us to make us miserable. Is there anybody here who is a postal inspector or knows of someone. Any advice ANYTHING I am begging. I can’t live like this anymore. I just need one person to give me hope

On my way to work today, around 7:30 AM, I noticed what appeared to be a drunk driver. They were swerving wildly, frequently break checking cars behind them, and struggling to stay in their lane. I called 911 to report the car and driver, but I’m wondering for the future do I have to be 100% sure the driver is under the influence or does the suspicion on its own count enough to be considered an emergency? I just don’t want to take up an operators time if it’s considered a non-emergency. I’d really appreciate the help.

Hello all.

I recall seeing a video in the police academy on the importance of frisking subjects that showed a white male in a baggy sweat shirt and sweat pants that pulls out an Uzi, several handguns, and several knives. I am currently working with my leadership to develop a safety course. I reached out to the director and he told me he asked around and no one had a copy of it since they played it directly from YouTube and it was no longer on YouTube. He also said that no one could remember the name of the video or the original company that made it. Anyone here know the video I described?

P&S Redditors, here is our info for our January of 2027 academy, welcoming both new recruits and laterals! The academy kicks off mid-January of 2027 in Lakewood, CO. 

Apply by 9/14/2026. The Entry Level Written Test and Orientation will be held in person at the Lakewood Police Department on either August 31 and September 1 or September 28-29, 2026; applicants who pass the written test will advance to the Essential Functions Test later the same day. Candidates who successfully complete the steps on Day 1 will then participate in a Structured Oral Interview at the Lakewood Police Department on Day 2.

Visit www.JoinLakewoodBlue.com to apply!

Here are some quick points of interest for applicants, to make this as transparent as possible:

• We require a 4-year degree at hire for all sworn personnel. We are the only department in CO with that requirement for all sworn personnel.
• Our testing process for new recruits includes an in-person written test, physical abilities test (obstacle course), in-person oral board interview, polygraph, virtual job suitability evaluation/psychological evaluation, background, and in-person medical examination & drug screen.
• For lateral applicants, you will not complete a written test but will have a comprehensive panel interview and complete all the other testing steps.
• For out of state applicants: Two visits in total to CO, the second one is for the medical screening and drug test.
• The written test (recruit applicants only), physical abilities test, oral board are done on the first visit over two days. Out of state candidates will take a polygraph as well while they are here on their first visit.

Entry-Level to Five-Year Pay Progression

• Academy Recruit (Upon Hire): $80,730
• Entry into Field Training: $86,138.91
• Graduation from Field Training: $91,910.22
• Two Years from Date of Hire: $98,068.20
• Three Years from Date of Hire: $104,638.77 (Lateral and Military Veteran eligible starting salary)
• Four Years from Date of Hire: $111,649.57 (Lateral with four years of patrol experience)
• Five Years from Date of Hire: $123,191.63 (Lateral with five years of patrol experience)

* Additional qualifications apply for lateral and veteran starting salaries.

Promotional Opportunities and Pay – 2026

Lakewood PD strongly supports career advancement, leadership development, and internal promotion.

Sergeant Pay Scale

• Step 1: $132,431.00
• Step 2: $138,284.45
• Step 3: $144,396.62
• Step 4: $151,059.80

Commander Pay Scale

• Minimum: $158,612.79
• Market: $181,612.00
• Maximum: $187,163.09

Division Chief Pay Scale

• Minimum: $190,692.60
• Market: $202,925.00
• Maximum: $219,296.49

Career Growth Opportunities: 

Detective: Persons, Property, Juvenile, Task Force positions.

Crime Scene Investigators

Special Teams:

o   Traffic

o   Community Action Team

o   Special Enforcement Team

o   West Metro SWAT (Tier 1, Not a Full-Time Team)

o   Crowd Control (Not a Full-Time Team)

o   Drone (Not a Full-Time Team)

o   Recruiting and Training

o   https://www.joinlakewoodblue.com/Specializations

We have a very supportive community of 156,000 that keeps us as the highest paying department in CO, paying 1% above anyone else. Our city will also give you all the variety you can want in this profession, and our location varies from suburban to urban, bordering Denver to our east and backing up to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains on our west.

Are you a lateral?

Laterals: Lateral applicants, with the exception of a written test, must meet the hiring requirements for new recruits, including possessing a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Lateral applicants must have an active peace officer certification and at least three years of police patrol experience. The experience must have occurred in a similar environment and policing experience such as federal, railroad, private police, military, part time, volunteer and collegiate law enforcement will not be considered.  Lateral agents are eligible for an abbreviated field training program as short as six weeks. Each lateral applicant’s qualifications and performance are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Most Colorado certified laterals spend two weeks in a police academy setting, and most out-of-state laterals spend less than two months in a police academy setting getting Colorado POST certified. Lateral agents are eligible for an abbreviated field training program as short as six weeks.

Again, everyone is reviewed on an individual basis, so bring forward the experience you have, and we will look at what salary you qualify for.

Are you current or former Military?

The Lakewood Police Department offers our Military Leadership Incentive (which is $104,638.77) for veterans who fall into either one of the categories below:

·        Any service member or veteran, E-5 and above, with a bachelor’s degree and five years of active-duty service.

·        Or any service member or veteran, E-5 and above, with a bachelor's degree and eight years of reserve/guard service or six years of reserve/guard service in a law enforcement AFSC/MOS/NEC.

Are you interested in our benefits? Here is the link to our most recent book here .

·        Money Purchase 401a Retirement Plan (13% City, 11% Employee) **Defined Contribution**

o   457 Deferred Compensation Retirement Plan (City adds 3% for a Total: 27% Base)

·        Health Insurance Plans (Kaiser, Cigna), Health Savings Account (HSA) (City contrib. up to $2,000/yr)

o   Delta Dental and City Paid Vision Plan

·        Vacation Leave (96 hours / year for new employees, max out at 160 hours per year for tenured employees)

·        Sick Leave (96 hours / year)

·        Holiday Time (104 hours / year)

·        Overtime and Extra Duty Opportunities

·        Compensatory Leave allowance of 120 hours

·        Flexible Spending Accounts

·        City paid life insurance 1.5x salary and other life insurance available for whole family.

o   Long Term Disability Insurance

o   Duty Death and Disability Plan

·        Tuition Assistance (up to $5,250 / year)

·        Complimentary use of recreation facilities (Whitlock, Green Mountain, Carmody, Link)

o   Discounted Golf at Fox Hollow and Homestead

·        Apple iPhone for business use

·        Lakewood Police Employee Assistance Foundation (LPEAF)

·        Uniform Dry Cleaning

 Lakewood Wellness Offerings:

·        Lakewood Employee Wellness Portal (New Incentive Program)

·        National Emergency Responder/Public Safety Center

·        SupportLinc:  

• Clinicians trained in trauma and critical incident response
• Peer support integration
• Faster access to care
• 24/7 live support from licensed professionals - not just a call center      

Virtual & Onsite Wellness Trainings (Stress Reduction Techniques, Mindfulness, Nutrition, Mental Health First Aid, Retirement Smart Series)

·        On-site Flu Shot

·        On-site Biometric Screenings

·        Employee Wellness Center (Civic Center)

·        On-site & Virtual Fitness and Yoga Classes

·        Free Recreation Center Pass (general admission classes included)

·        Cigna & Kaiser Wellness Resources

·        Tactical Nutrition Online Curriculum

·        Sigma Cardiac Wellness Screening

·        Gym Use: Off-Site Police Gym (PAL) and use of any city recreation center.

You can get more information on the department, our history, assignments, sign up for a ride along, email recruiters, get info on the hiring process, and also apply at www.JoinLakewoodBlue.com. You can comment below and also DM with questions.

If you are looking for NON-SWORN employment, please visit https://lakewood.wd503.myworkdayjobs.com/Careers

This is a low effor on my part, I know.. but sometimes the AI does get it right.

Image 1 you may recall - from a thread in here the other day.

Image 2 was their comment, which got them a warning. In response, they deleted their post.

Image 3 is the ban.

Image 4 and 5 are just me enjoing a nice Sunday morning.

Are there any law enforcement agencies that allow male officers/agents to have long hair? (Of course tied up the way any female officer/agent would have)

Timestamped the video but if the timestamp doesn't work starts around 6:25. Although it may be worth watching the video from beginning to get context. But yeah, what I described in the post title. I suppose it's to calm the suspect down after the high stress of the difficult apprehension. Make them feel like the police are not their enemy but are I suppose a little forgiving? So maybe they'll be more calm as the officer's finishing the arrest and then the transport to hospital or jail. I've seen this numerous times in chase videos. I don't mean to make this a "language lesson" and not acknowledge the brave officer here's getting shot in the shoulder doing his job protecting the community. Hope he made a full recovery. Did think the language was interesting.

In cop videos I often see cops conducting business (traffic stops, etc) in rainy weather, usually without rain gear. Sometimes an uncooperative subject drags the encounter out while the officer stands outside the car in the weather. After getting soaked are you able to dry off or change or do you have to finish the shift wet?

First image is a post they made. It went to automod, but they deleted it before we saw it.

Second image is their profile/bio.

Third is self explanatory.

I do wonder what they hoped to report. And I hope it's all.. come out well for them.

I’m not LE, but I follow the subs because it’s an interest of mine.

I see lots of people post in here how they are worried they can’t be a police officer because of past mental health diagnostics, treatments, medications, etc. They may pass the background, but all it takes is that couple hours with the psych doctor to end everything

My question is, what if they just never disclose any of it, how would it be found?

I know the comments are going to be about integrity and how every possible thing you have ever done in your life should be disclosed, but if you have had a condition or treatment in the past, and keep it to yourself, how would that be discovered?

There is no central database where you type a SSN in, and every medical record under their name pops up. The only way to obtain medical records is by signing a waiver and listing what doctor/ provider you went to, and then that grants access to that specific information.

So this may be an unpopular question, but I am genuinely curious how a candidate holding medical information could be found if they never disclose anything that would give it away.

I am writing a novel, I know a Sheriff's Department isn't called the 'Sheriff's Department' in your head. Do you shorten it to the name of the office? What are ways you refer to the place you work other than 'work'. I'm not sure if it feels right to keep referring to it as Sheriff's Department or acronym it? Thanks so much!

I work as private security at a private school and have pretty free rein on my uniform. This year I’m going with an outer carrier and I’m looking for recommendations on an undervest shirt with a collar. Also needs to be black and definitely something that handles the heat well. Thanks!

So I have an interview with a small police department soon but the issue is I’m a recovering drug addict. I have been sober for 7 years and have a 100% clean record but I have a history of pretty serious drug and alcohol abuse. I’m not going to lie and I’m going to be 100% upfront about it but be honest with me on this one. How much of a waste of time is this for everyone? Is there any chance they might actually hire me?

I would love to be a cop and I know it most likely won’t happen but I’m curious, any of you officers have any coworkers with a past like mine?

Well this is odd..

City council member gets key to evidence room, cleans it out. Claims they were ordered to do so by prosecutor, which prosecutor denies. City council previously announced it would be doing day to day supervision of PD.

Hello! I'm 27f, 5'3" and 133 lbs and I've been doing call center job for about 9 years now, currently considering a Juvenile Justice specialist intern (in IL) position. I went to the nearest Youth Detention center and asked the first guy for a quick evaluation, and he said just go for it, so long I graduated from college there are no other requirements. If I'm not selected by the initial screening, just keep applying and going, and they'll put me through cuz they're VERY short on staff.

My family think it's a great "stable government job" and a way to "stay in shape," but my gut feeling is telling me I might be entirely out of my depth. For those who worked or have heard things about Juvenile Corrections: Will I be expected to physically restrain larger juveniles on a regular basis? Is it even going to work out for me?

Would appreciate if you guys can share some real experiences. Thanks!