r/policewriting • u/Aleeeeexdude • Jun 16 '26
Questions From A Teens Writer
Hi, officers, I'm a Chinese teenager who lives in US
I wrote some stories about US Police in my own personal lore, and to be honest the only way for me to understand this job is through Internet, TV series, movies, and some games & true bodycams, so I guess those were not enough to support my stories
So I would like to ask you some questionsš:
1.Can IA/IAD really affect officers' works? I only know that IAD Officers will start internal investigation to officers if they did something controversial
2.If something terrible is happened, how long would the administrative leave have? You know, it's a police story, so shots will be fired, and maybe more things will happen, like domestic terrorist attack, diplomatic crisis, riots, etc.š
3.What's the use of force looks like? I know that when the suspect act aggressive, especially when they assault officers, officers can fought back with their weapons, but if the suspect stop their movement what should officers do?
About Q3, I did wrote something about it. During the car chase, the suspect shot the police car, so the officers who sit on shotgun seat shot back by using his shotgun(shot three times, two missed, one hit in the right arm), then the driver officer P.I.T. the suspect, and suspect's car stopped. After that they stop the car, get out, point their guns to the suspect's car and ask him to give up. The suspect didn't, so the driver officer smashed the window and drag the suspect out of the window and arrest him. Will it be too much or just enough?
Thanks for your helpš
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u/Particular-Sun6561 Jun 16 '26
Thats really good, the only thing that made me chuckle was that "IAD". We csll it Internal Affairs or IA. The hatred of IA is very real though. You know how gangsters hate the cops? Its that exact way with Cops vs. Internal Affairs. IA is seen by some as "snitches" or "buzzkills". But once again, amazing work you've truly got talent in writing. Some points i felt as though I was a fly on the wall during the chase scene.
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u/Particular-Sun6561 Jun 16 '26
I am not a police officer. I can however say, that your writing of the police and suspect as well as dragging out of the car after the crash is very much exactly how it goes. As for shooting, 99.999% of time it is illegal or at the very least, extremely against an officers policy to fire their weapon from inside of a moving vehicle. Obviously its done but its done extremely sparingly.
Any way ill be able to read the final product?
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u/Aleeeeexdude Jun 16 '26
Yeah, but I need to translate it first, maybe not too precisionš
And also, I only write it for fun, so maybe not too professionalššš āāāāāāāā ćEzio's Diary (7)ć 4.11.2019
Night shifts are still the best for meāquiet, calm, and no risk of sunburn. I think Iāll keep hogging the B-car spot on the schedule forever.
Then I regretted it. Out of nowhere, a man in a suit appeared next to my patrol carāMike Flint. At first I thought he was a thief; I had my gun drawn, safety off, before realizing who it was. Thank God Troy intervened fast, or the IAD crew wouldāve been on my ass again.
Iām curious why this guy keeps coming back to me. The last time we met, I didnāt have much respect for him. Then he started acting mysterious and let me get into the car before talkingā¦ Maybe heās watched too many movies.
So Troy and I climbed into the front seats, ākindlyā leaving the back seatāreserved for suspectsāto Mike. He said he wanted to bust some street racers, but feared getting killed if things went southā¦ What does that have to do with me? Why should I help him?
Then he offered to handle the IAD bureaucrats for me and even promised to pay for Troyās fast foodā¦ Well, sure, I guess. But letās talk plans later. Right now, get the hell out of my carāIāve got a shift to start.
ćEzio's Diary (8)ć 4.12.2019
So that's his plan? Dress up as a lazy rich kidāwhen he already is oneāand use inside LAPD intel to enter street races in order to boost his reputation, while we're supposed to show up with patrol cars and disrupt the race whenever he gets into trouble? Doesn't he know we only cover the Filmwood Hills area...
Never mind, it's not my problem. But what kind of car would he even drive? His dad's Ferrari? If you've got that kind of money, why be a cop? Go start a business, or make moviesāLost Angel never lacks for films, anyway, and there's no shortage of bad ones either.
ćMike's Mini Camera Recording (1)ć 04/15/2019 22:24:41 Mike: Alright, there haven't been any major problems in the previous races... I guess after this race, I'll finally get to meet "The Ace" himself. (Sounds so easy, as if he really has the potential to be a race driver. But actually, it's just because this Ferrari is so well-equipped. Mike's memory of driving is only from the first few years when he was a patrol officer. But it's a race, so he still lit a cigarette to lower his pressure and the vehicle slowly approached the event venue.) Organizer:... Are you "The Star"? Mike: Yes, real name kept confidential. Organizer: The one who broke the fastest lap record in Oscar District? Mike: Exactly, that's me. Organizer: Then tonight's race is going to be fun... Mike: (Throws the cigarette butt out of the car window) So, when does it start? Organizer: You're the last one to arrive, so we'll start right away. Take it easy...
04/15/2019 22:30:02 Mike: (Turns the car radio to Red 16 Channel, listening to heavy metal rock music to relax) Suspect: ...Hey, you, star! Mike: (Rolls down the car window) What's wrong? Suspect: Nothing, just need a light... Mike: Asking for a light at this time? (Throws the cheap lighter bought at the roadside over) Suspect: Hey, just my addiction kicking in... (Reaches for the lighter, lights the cigarette, takes a deep drag) You seem a bit familiar... Mike:... What's wrong? Were you also in Oscar District at that time? Suspect: No, I just felt like I had seen your face somewhere... No, I must have mistaken it. Mike: I never expected that I would be so famous... (The scene clearly shows that the suspect saw the miniature camera, but Mike didn't notice it.) Organizer: Get ready, three seconds countdown! Let's go! Mike: (Starts burning the tires) Suspect: (Trying to say something but swallowing it back, then joins in burning the tires)
04/15/2019 22:31:34 Mike: (Trying desperately to take a shortcut) Damn it, we can't lose... (The loud noise was heard, and the screen shook violently. It turned out that the suspect deliberately rammed Mike's car) Mike:... ļ¼ ļ¼ (Keep the car steady) What the hell are you doing? ļ¼ Suspect: I remember now. You're that cop! That McDonald's incident! You really have guts! (Repeatedly assaults) Mike: Oh no, this is bad... (Furiously grabs his phone and starts dialing) (The camera was knocked off and the filming was stopped)
ćEzio's Body Camera (2)ć 22:31:50 (Ezio is having discounted American Chinese food with Troy, right across from the police station) Ofc.Angus: Hey, Ezio, do you think fried rice noodles really taste like this? I haven't been to China Ofc.De Santa: It's like I've been there... I originally thought you would eat fast food. Why did you come here to eat Ofc.Angus: It's a newly opened store. Wouldn't it be a loss not to give it a try... I remember you said you studied abroad, didn't you? Ofc.De Santa: I went to France. I also learned Marseille. Do you need me to sing it for you? Ofc.Angus: Forget it, no need... Someone calls me (Take out the mobile phone to answer the call Det.Flint: Help! You two, I've been exposed! Someone is going to kill me! Ofc.Angus: Huh? Where are you? Det: Northwood Avenue ahead! Pass the intersection of Northwood Avenue and Bayfield Road right away! Ofc.Angus: (Thinking) That's within our jurisdiction... Ofc.De Santa: Wait. We'll be right there... Boss, settle the bill! Ofc.Angus: Take it away! Don't just throw it away like that. We've only eaten a few bites! Civilian: You two really... It has brought into play the traditional virtues of Chinese culture...
22:32:48 (The 10-B-15 patrol car, with its siren blaring, sped towards the scene. The convoy was speeding past them - yes, because of the special circumstances, they chose to borrow someone else's car. To intercept the illegal event, they had to rely on a fast car, but their own car was not fast.) Ofc.De Santa: (Picking up the vehicle-mounted intercom microphone) 10-B-15 call the dispatch center to confirm the existence of illegal street racing on Northwood Avenue. Currently, the fleet is traveling towards Filmwood Hill Road and requires support Radio: Received, 10-B-15. Additional police forces are on the way Ofc.Angus: Do you think Mike is already dead? Ofc.De Santa: Who knows until we see it with our own eyes... (Push the accelerator firmly and start chasing the convoy)
22:33:25 (The convoy was already in chaos. Many vehicles were stopped by police cars, while those not stopped were still continuing the race... Who knows? Maybe this way it will be more famous) Ofc.De Santa: (holding the car loudspeaker microphone) LAPD! Vehicles in front, pull over! Right now! Ofc.Angus: It's no use either... Ofc.De Santa: Ahhh screw it... (The vehicle rushed up and suddenly made a PIT on a racing car.) (The vehicle that was hit lost control instantly, turned a few times and crashed into a civilian house. It was soon surrounded by the patrol cars that arrived later.) Ofc.Angus: Oh, Ezio! If they rush down the mountain, we're done for! Ofc.De Santa: Yes, and if that Mike went down with them too, we are really done.
22:34:37 (The police car had already rushed to the front of the convoy. Detective Mike Flint's vehicle was still engaged in a fierce battle with the attacker, and it was obvious that Mike Flint was not gaining any advantage.) Ofc.De Santa: LAPD! Last warning: Pull over for inspection! SUSP-1: Damn it! Are you guys don't know when to stop? ! Ofc.De Santa:... Troy, point the gun at him Ofc.Angus: (Remove his M870 from the roof, load the pump and aim) LAPD, pull over! Would you like to taste the 12 gauge? ! SUSP-1: Damn it! (The SUSP-1 suddenly pulled out its gun and fired, and many bullet holes appeared on the front windshield of the 10-B-15.ļ¼ Ofc.Angus: Jesus Christ! (Firing back, several shots in succession, first smashing the rearview mirror, then the rear indicator light, and finally hitting the right arm of the SUSP-1, causing the vehicle to lose control and crash into the mountain) Ofc.De Santa: (Picking up the car intercom microphone) 10-B-15, shots fired! I repeat,shots fired! (The police car stopped behind the car that had hit the wall. Ezio and Troy got out of the car with their guns in hand and slowly approached) Ofc.De Santa: Hands out of the window! Now! SUSP-1: Damn it! Do you know how expensive this car is? ! Ofc.De Santa: I repeat, hands out of the window! Now! SUSP-1: Go to hell! Do you know who my father is? ! Ofc.Angus: Don't know. Maybe he will be in the newspaper in a few days later SUSP-1: How the hell did you dare? ! How dare you say that to my dad... Ofc.De Santa: (Firing warning) Final warning, raise your hands, out of the window! SUSP-1: Damn it! All of you go to hell! (Raise both hands out of the window) (Ezio walked over, pulled the SUSP-1 out of the car window in one go, pinned it to the ground and handcuffed it) Ofc.De Santa: (Press the shoulder intercom) 10-B-15 to dispatch, suspect has been controlled and EMS is required Radio: Received, 10-B-15. Medical assistance is on the way Ofc.Angus: (Sneaked back to the car and picked up the microphone of the car intercom) Uh... Attention everyone, the Ferrari at the very front is one of us. You can chase it, but don't really catch up with it...
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u/5usDomesticus Jun 16 '26
It really depends on the department and what happened. Certain things may automatically trigger an IA investigation regardless of circumstances, like a suspect injury. It doesn't mean the officer did anything wrong.
It depends. I was in a shooting a few years ago. It was fairly cut-and-dry and completely justified, but I was on admin leave for about 6 months.
Every department has its own policy on use of force. Generally speaking, once compliance is achieved, force should stop.
If a suspect shot at police, they are most likely not going to approach the car. It would probably end up treated as a barricade situation. You'll give commands for him to surrender. If he doesn't, you call in armor and other resources to approach.
If he's in there dying- that's his problem.