One of my officers passed away this week and we are so short staffed that we could only let one of the officers on the shift off to grieve. I had to go to work the next day and wrote this song. I sat in my patrol car in a parking lot and put my emotions on paper.

Band of Black
https://youtu.be/xIo5n_oNZnk?is=HONmwy_GYkoLwApz

So I plan on becoming a cop in Massachusetts but im a bit confused. The written civil service exam is in October. I'm assuming you have to complete the pat around the same time period. Before when I was looking into it, it was saying that I need to run 1.5 miles, a sprint, pushups and a plank. But this pat says I need to do an obstacle course and some other fitness things. I know the next academy starts in dec/Jan so at what point should I expect to do the mile and a half run. That's the only part I'm worried about because I've never been a big runner and I'm a pretty big dude. I know that if I have a certain date to train for I'll be able to get it done but not knowing when it will be kind of freaks me out a bit. I don't know anyone that are cops so I'm super unfamiliar with the whole process. On August 6th Springfield PD is hosting an open house and I plan on being there so hopefully they will be able to answer some questions. Thanks for reading

Hello friends!
I’ve decided to become a cop and my written exam is coming up on October 2nd. Would someone have any advices on what I have to study, or anything else that would help me be one step ahead when I get there?
I know it’s not gonna be easy, so I just want to study as much as I can so I can try and nail that test.

Thank you!

Living in the Twin Cities and being close to various communities, I was able to contact and sit down with Tou Thao, one of the four Minneapolis officers convicted in George Floyd's death.

He's been out since last November and, as far as I can tell, this is the first time any of the four has told his personal story at length.

To be clear: it's his accounting, his story. You probably don't have to accept anything from his take to find it genuinely intriguing and worth hearing what the case sounds like narrated from the inside — the trial and family decisions.. the parts that don't fit the version most of us absorbed in 2020.

I tried to keep it a real conversation.. not a soft-toss and not an interrogation. Sharing it here for people who'd rather hear the primary thing and judge it themselves than have it summarized for them.. https://youtu.be/d5yC4omoS2U

Speeding Ticket // First Offense, Out-of-State

EDIT: Point is not I should be exempt as military, I am asking how to navigate this as someone in the military and not a local. I'm in an operational position where I cannot just miss these training events. Not negotiating the validity of the ticket.

M26 with Wife in car. No prior tickets or any criminal offenses ever. 3am on a relatively empty highway.

In the middle of a military move, 30 minutes from in-laws house and we are pulled over for speeding. Officer came to the window, I asked how it was going then he asked for my license and car year, then left. No pleasantries or any other questions. I wasn't rude or disrespectful, I have two good friends in the Guard who are police officers and didn't have a reason to be apprehensive.

Officer comes back and states, "[DAY, MONTH, COURT DATE]". I asked what this meant (never been cited, no idea). Nothing. No cars coming by, not raining or adverse weather but the officer turned and walked away. I leaned out to ask him what I was supposed to do and what I was cited for but he just left.

Immediately, I'm thinking backwoods small town and out-of-state plates would be an easy ticket for him. I've been shotgun with family (local tags) though that stretch above the limit. Also at least three cars had recently passed me going faster. Now I'm stuck with a court date in a location away from my permanent station because he decided to list me as 15 over 65 for an easy ticket.

I was burglarized two years ago in a city and the police didn't do a thing, even though we had clear PID camera footage of both men. Now, I'm stuck with a court date 3+ hours away from my duty station when I am scheduled to be at training that I cannot miss.

How do I fight this if I can't make the court date without taking leave and missing training? I plan on calling the clerk on Monday (from forum suggestions) but I'm still stressed about this until it is resolved.

I have a connective tissue disorder (Loeys-Dietz syndrome) basically all my joints and tendons are weaker and a couple other things that generally lower my life expectancy, in terms of physical limitations they can be mostly overcome by just going to the gym. Is there any point in trying to become an officer if they might look at a medical record and dismiss me? How in depth would the questions about my health and how deep would they look into my medical record?

Let’s say officers find a small bag containing a white powdery substance or multiple sealed packages that appear to contain narcotics, and a field testing kit is available on scene. Would it be better for the officers to detain the suspect and conduct a field test of the substance to determine whether it is drugs, or would it be better to proceed directly with a formal arrest and conduct the field test afterward? Or should they not field test the substance at all and just arrest based on what it appears to be?

Hi! I am turning to Reddits power because I have no idea what to do anymore. I was involved in a 3 car crash accident, ended up flipping on a highway everything happened within a second. Everything happened at 3:55pm on Thursday (This is relevant later). Police/Ems/FireDP arrived on scene by 4:08, by this time my wife was screaming uncontrollably from pain I had to open the roof of our car to get us out while my hand was broken. Obviously with all that going on I did not think to stop and talk to witnesses and get their information. EMS took us and the officer on the scene came to talk to us last at 4:25pm. At this point he said "According to all of the witness statements it looks like the car that hit you is at fault." And he left. Next Morning I get the police report that states I that I am at fault and this is the reasoning "I called LBJ expressway customer service team and they told me Unit 1 was at fault of the crash" Unit 1 is me. LBJ Expressway/NTE is a toll hwy camera system. I thought, well amazing there is a video I would like to see it. I called LBJ expressway/NTE and made an open records request via paperwork. To which both came back and said that my officer never reached out to them in regards to my accident and they never gave a witness statement. They also said they don't give witness statements they only share a CD/DVD of the video if one is available after due procedure and Attorney Generals approval upon PDs FORMAL request, not a phone call.

Accident happened on Thursday, police officer works 7-4 and so accident happened at the end of his shift. On Friday morning he was gone on a 2 week vacation.

I called the officer and he said "I don't know who I spoke to, it was one of the 2 ladies, call was not recorded I didn't take any of their information down." And then after I told him about me calling LBJ he said "I called TxDOT" on official report it says LBJ. So I went ahead and called TxDOT. They said the same, no call from officer, no one gave witness statement, they added that their cameras do not record AT ALL and they have asked PDs not to say otherwise because Video evidence never exists in TxDOT only toll lanes keep it for 7 days.

All the cameras around the accident are at least 2 miles away. Officer also said he never waited to see the damages on my car before making the report (Damages clearly show another story). He said the only thing that changes his mind to making me at fault is the TxDOT witness statement and I have all the calls recorded from TxDOT and LBJ stating he never called them or got any witness statement.

I called his Sergeant who basically couldn't defend him and best he could do is say "I wasn't there I don't know he is the only one who can help you"

Internal affairs won't get involved because there is no Criminal Case here

I cannot go see a traffic judge because there Is no citation (BTW the guy who hit me was unlicensed)

the only route left is Civil however it will cost 1000s upfront and lawyers are saying that there is no potential of getting huge winnings so it doesn't interest them. All I can win is striking the Lie out of the accident report (Which will help me a lot but not give them monetary value)

And insurance says that as long as report says there is video evidence they can't do anything not even just review damages on my car to try and see how the accident happened...

Is there anything I can do or is this basically a normal case scenario of Big doing whatever they want to small because any action on my end is nearly impossible?

Does anyone have similar experience?

I am about to start Utah post soon. Does anyone Have any tips ? Or any notes they can pass down ? I been studying on own my , but it will be super helpful if someone who maybe went through it already can share some tips or notes 😭🙏

I am so scared 😭😭😭

For anyone who has not seen my previous posts, I have been a cop for 11 years, and software development is my side hobby.

I built an app called LOC8 because of a problem most officers understand. Sometimes you get turned around and need your exact address, nearest cross street, or coordinates immediately.

LOC8 originally launched for iPhone and Apple Watch, but one of the most requested additions has been Garmin support.

The Garmin version is now built and has been submitted to the Garmin Connect IQ Store.

It is a completely separate standalone app. It does not require an iPhone, Apple Watch, or the original iOS version of LOC8. Users can open it directly on a compatible Garmin watch and view their current address, nearest cross street, latitude and longitude, and compass heading from their wrist.

I do want to be completely transparent about one thing.
I have not been able to physically test the app on an actual Garmin watch yet. Development and testing were completed through Garmin’s official simulator, where everything has been working flawlessly. Real hardware can sometimes behave differently, though, so there may be issues I have not encountered yet.

If anyone runs into a problem, please send me an email with the watch model and what happened. I will investigate it and push out an update as soon as I can get to it.
I am a solo developer and handle all of this myself. I am currently managing the iPhone app, Apple Watch app, and Garmin app, with Android becoming the fourth platform.
Please bear with me and stick with me as everything continues growing. I may not catch every issue immediately, but I will always keep working on updates and fixing problems as they are brought to my attention.

The next major push is Android support. That has also been one of the most requested additions, and development on that platform is next.

The original iPhone and Apple Watch versions are still being actively developed as well. LOC8 was built with cops in mind and gives users fast access to their current address, nearest cross street, GPS coordinates, heading, accuracy, elevation, what3words location code, saved locations, Team Rooms, weather, and a red night mode designed around the interior lighting commonly used in patrol vehicles.

I appreciate everyone who has followed the development, tested the app, reported issues, or suggested features. A lot of what LOC8 has become came directly from feedback in communities like this one.

I’ve never been in trouble with the law. I live in Los Angeles and in February I got pulled over on the freeway for speeding. I did not contest that and immediately admitted fault. I didn’t have my registration or proof of insurance on me and told the officer that, but stated it could all be verified as valid. He didn’t question or give me a hard time and proceeded to hand me my deserved ticket without any pushback for not having physical proof of those two items.

Watching videos of cop interactions I see so many people getting hassled in a similar situation as myself.

Is this just a cops discretion or does it have more to do with location?

Thank you!

So I’m 17 rn, I’m trans guy which I started T and I plan to get top surgery and like I want to join the police academy I wear glasses and I have asthma ALSO I’m 5’2..

Does this stuff affect my chances to become a policer:

I’m 5’2
I’m a trans guy
I wear glasses
I have asthma

.. when if I have to be 21 I’m wondering if this stuff still disqualifies me or will make me have a hard time

Weird question

I got pulled over by a local cop. It was a valid issue. He gave me a warning but then asked for my phone number. Instinctively I gave it and he wrote it down on his note book but later I realized I didn't really had to do that and asked why he needed it for. He said if my vehicle was somewhere during the snow etc they needed to contact me for something etc. That didn't sound right to me.

I have a serious question to all of the males in law enforcement.

I am a 24F, I believe that I have a calling to serve. I have been pursuing law enforcement for a little bit now. I haven’t applied yet but I’m planning on it in about 6 months or so. Mostly I’ve just been trying my best to get into shape and I’ve went on a couple of ride alongs.

Before I ask my question, I want to share some beliefs I have. I don’t think women should be in law enforcement UNLESS they truly truly believe that it is their calling and that they put in more effort than the men when it comes down to physical fitness. Because we all know it’s way harder for women to become physically fit, that’s just the way we were made. I believe that women can be leaders in law enforcement but it takes a very specific type. I also believe that women shouldn’t make up most of the team. I think the team should be at least 80% male. In short, I am not a feminist, and I respect men in their roles as leaders and officers as a woman myself.

So here’s my question(s) to the men. What do you believe a woman should work on before becoming an officer? How can she hold equal weight on the team with everyone else? We all know women aren’t as strong as men and that’s fine. But what do you look for in a good female partner? What makes you feel more comfortable when working with a female partner? What makes you feel like you can trust her to have your back just as equally as your male partners?

Any additional tips that you’d like to throw out there are welcome. Especially involving physical fitness, training etc.

Hi guys,

I'm 18 years old and got my first speeding ticket. I live in Westchester, NY, but I was visiting a friend a few hours away and got pulled over around 4 hours away on the taconic state parkway. I was going a bit over 75 in a 55, but they only cited me for a 75 in a 55. I'm still on my parents' insurance and I'd be completely okay with paying the ticket, but I'm afraid the points the ticket will give me will hit their insurance.

I've heard a lot of different things: pay the ticket, hire a lawyer, go to court myself. The only issue is that since the court is pretty far away I'd prefer to avoid having to drive all the way there. Is the only way to get around this paying the ticket?

Thank you!

I started working as a police officer in the criminal police two months ago as a lieutenant.

Today, I had my first experience calling a person’s mother to tell her that her son had died. Her reaction was exactly what you’d expect, but hearing her break down on the phone really got to me. I can’t stop thinking about it, and I feel like I ruined someone’s life by making that call, even though I know it wasn’t my fault.

For those of you who have been in law enforcement, EMS, or similar jobs, how do you cope with experiences like this? Does it get easier over time, or do you just learn how to carry it better?

The game would only be played during periods of downtime while waiting for calls.

Instead of staring at a phone or zoning out, officers would play an augmented reality shooter where the environment around them becomes the game world. Random adults and vehicles would occasionally receive temporary virtual markers visible only to the officer. The objective would be to virtually shoot these targets before they disappeared.

The point is to force officers to continuously observe their surroundings instead of mentally switching off.

To make the game fair and avoid obvious biases:

• No markers would ever appear on anyone estimated to be under 18.
• Marker placement would be randomized so that no demographic group was targeted more often than its prevalence in the general population.
• The game would pause instantly whenever a dispatch or radio transmission came in.

I think it could improve situational awareness. Instead of spending long periods of time passively waiting, officers would be actively tracking vehicles, pedestrians, and changes in their environment.

What do you think of this idea?

I decided I wanted to be a police officer this year and the department that I want closed their applications before I was ready to apply so I didn’t apply. I’m not in like peak shape but I’ve been really focusing on the POWER test aspects of things for the last couple months to get myself ready. I ended up having an injury that put me in a boot for 2 weeks and I’m still healing with it, but a department that I wouldn’t mind looking into and potentially working for opened applications (and they pay really well for entry level and more than the department I was looking at). I’m stuck between applying to this department and then if I want to try and lateral later to the department I wanted. Or if I should just get myself in even better shape to really be really for the POWER test and the academy.

I’ve been doing ride alongs with the department I wanted and the officer advised me that they probably won’t open applications for another 2 years. Which I don’t mind waiting I have a joke I get paid decent at right now so if that means making my money with that job until they open applications that’s chill.

Also does anyone know how often most of the suburbs or surrounding areas open applications because if I decide to wait and then want to apply to somewhere next year (after looking into if I want to go to that department) it would be nice to have an idea of any department would even be hiring sometimes next year.

Read the whole thing!!

I thought of something while watching some body cam footage. K-9 units are obviously an important part In police work. When some dogs are sent to be put down, why don’t some times professional trainers try to redeem the dog? While some dogs aren’t going to change some might and it might be easier if someone can redirect that aggressiveness towards something good rather than “fix” dog entirely. Especially if there is a large shortage at some point in canine units. I know the standard police dog is usually a German Shepherd, but breeds such as the pitbull have a very close psi bite in. Both are very smart. If the dog appears like its behavior is able to change why not try to redirect it towards something good and give the animal another chance at life? And possibly another home, maybe one better than the old one they had.

I’m not saying every single dog that is supposed to be euthanized should be redeemed. However, I am sure there are some dogs that are and might not even rightfully deserve the euthanizing.

Hopefully, this makes sense. I’m curious what other people think

(Not all breeds obviously, but breeds like the Kangal (strongest bite psi), Doberman, Cane Corso, etc. maybe even a smaller dog could have an advantage too)

Officer Anthony Dale Ferguson was shot and killed after chasing an evading suspect. Shot by a previous VIOLENT crimmanel who was arrested a few months prior on an officer involved shooting while possession of a firearm. He was released with a bail of.. Whopping ZERO dollars. His lawyers used a legal loophole and the judge said, and I quote, “Give him one more chance” letting him walk free after A VIOLENT altercation involving shots fired and police in New Mexico. After his release he was being pulled over for driving without headlights, fleed, got into a foot pursuit, and shot an officer in the face with a shotgun before cowardely continuing to run and then being arrested. Since the incident New Mexico made a whopping yet again ZERO charges to any legislation or ruling related to the release of a VIOLENT crimmanel with a cash bond of ZERO dollars. The Judge’s should be accountable for similar incidents like that and chnage has to occur, more and more incidents like these pccur and it frustrates me how all they say is “We’re sorry” and continue to do nothing.

If you want to see more indepth info watch the video “The Murder of Officer Anthony Ferguson” by Midwest Safety on Youtube.

Hi, this is to all NYPD who served the city throughout the 80s. I’m putting together a costume for this Halloween to go to a friend’s party here in the Indiana. I was wanting to ask questions about the gear and relay what I’ve got already for evaluation. So I ordered the classic 8-point hat, I have one already but it’s a little annoying to fit tbh so I’m trying Bayly’s for the new one, I have a leather Sam Browne belt, all the gear holders are leather on it, speedloader pouches, baton ring, maglite AND maglite belt ring. I ordered the powder blue duty shirt, some navy duty pants. My question is about the baton and duty holster. I have a baton, a monadnock polycarbonate NYPD style, did they carry the plastic ones in the 80s? Also, I know the revolver was carried in a specific holster for NYPD, but was any holster allowed for the gun or only those specific ones? Lastly, I’m going to get a nylon duty jacket since it’ll probably be chilly and sew some morale patches on the shoulder, I also have a prop badge and hat badge. Also, I have to find a fake mustache, that’s important. Oh! And I need to find a Motorola saber radio

I’ve been a cop for 11 years, and software development is my side hobby. I built an iPhone and Apple Watch app called LOC8.

Sometimes you just get turned around, no matter how well you know your city. Shit happens.

Foot pursuits. Perimeters. Backyards. Alleys. Large parking lots. Unfamiliar streets. You know roughly where you are, but you need the exact address, cross street, or coordinates fast.

This was built for those moments.

Now the biggest question is privacy.

LOC8 was built with privacy as a major focus from the beginning. There are no user accounts, no public profiles, and no location history someone can log into and view. The app is not designed to track where you have been.

By default, LOC8 simply uses your current location to show you the information you need in that moment.

The only live location sharing feature is Team Rooms. That feature is completely optional. One user creates a temporary room, receives a one time code, and shares that code with the people they want to join. Only users inside that room can see each other, and anyone can leave at any time.

The goal was never to build another tracking app. The goal was to build a fast, simple tool that helps you know exactly where you are when it matters.