Hate to copy the idea but the asking a Christian and asking a black guy threads were neat so I figured I'd throw mine out there for you.
My qualifications for answering your questions are a BS in the topic of criminal justice, 5 1/2 years of experience on a police force, a brother who is a deputy (they are different) and I am currently working in corrections and have been for about a year and half.

To answer the first obvious question, I'm not a police officer anymore because I was injured off duty, which did not qualify me for a desk job unless you have at least 6 years of seniority... and since it caused nerve damage to my left hand I was unable to pass the yearly marksmanship test. If you want more to the story you'll have to ask.

You can ask me questions like, things you want to know about police behavior, jail, things about the system. My knowledge from experience is strictly American, but I do have a small amount of knowledge academically of other countries (really small).

i don't think i should have to say this but... keep it civil please.

edit: got my masters in sociology/criminology and a BS in psych now.
edit: I am a deputy sheriff for the county and working in their Crimes against property division now.

Do you really have a keyring with a ton of keys on it?

Okay, what are officers views on semi-large groups (7-10) of kids in all black just hanging out at a park after dark? Cops always seem to think we're up to something, and just troll the area. It's honestly really annoying.

On average, how many dough-nut (or donut if you prefer to be lazy) jokes are directed at you on a daily basis?

Follow-up: Do you like dough-nuts (or donuts).

What weapons are you permitted to carry in each of your past/current professions?

Is it compulsory to wear some form of body protection like Kevlar etc.?

CountFenring:
Do you really have a keyring with a ton of keys on it?

It depends on what part of the facility i'm working at. If it's just a cell block there's only four keys, one for the doors, one for the switchboard (activates phones, TVs, ect) one for the fire extinguisher, and one for my desk computer. Some spots like the laundry room, you carry an asston of keys.

Siuss:
Okay, what are officers views on semi-large groups (7-10) of kids in all black just hanging out at a park after dark? Cops always seem to think we're up to something, and just troll the area. It's honestly really annoying.

Lotta things with that.
Semi-large groups of any teenagers after dark can be suspicious regardless of race. What the officers are doing at that point is called 'increasing presence' they want you to see them clearly, the idea is if you see the police your less likely to do things you're not supposed to.
If it's a public park many of them close after a certain time (usually 10pm-11pm) to prevent vandalism, vagrancy and the like.

Calobi:
On average, how many dough-nut (or donut if you prefer to be lazy) jokes are directed at you on a daily basis?

Follow-up: Do you like dough-nuts (or donuts).

As a cop about once or twice a week. Not so much as a C/O (corrections officer). Yes I actually do like donuts but I always have. That stereotype comes from how back in the 50's and such pretty much the only things open when police were patrolling at 2am were doughnut/coffee shops (as IHOP had not been invented yet)

Has anyone ever successfully gotten out of a ticket with that retarded "my taxes pay your salary" line? Are you permitted to be a dick when someone receiving a ticket is being needlessly hostile?

ace_of_something:

Siuss:
Okay, what are officers views on semi-large groups (7-10) of kids in all black just hanging out at a park after dark? Cops always seem to think we're up to something, and just troll the area. It's honestly really annoying.

Lotta things with that.
Semi-large groups of any teenagers after dark can be suspicious regardless of race. What the officers are doing at that point is called 'increasing presence' they want you to see them clearly, the idea is if you see the police your less likely to do things you're not supposed to.
If it's a public park many of them close after a certain time (usually 10pm-11pm) to prevent vandalism, vagrancy and the like.

For most places this seems fine but it gets dark around 6-6:30 around here so it's just really annoying. I do see your' point though, but we have never actually been caught doing anything illegal, as a matter of fact we reported graffiti (A rebel flag and a bunch of anti-homosexuality banter) to the police. I just wish they could leave us alone.

Reaperman Wompa:
What weapons are you permitted to carry in each of your past/current professions?

Is it compulsory to wear some form of body protection like Kevlar etc.?

As a police officer I carried a Glock using .357 SIG , a baton made of a ceramic material (metal/wood ones crack in the winter), Strong Pepper Spray, and a taser. Glocks are the most popular handgun in American law enforcement due to their low maintenance costs.
I was only required to wear Kevlar when on certain duties (gang unit) I only had one week where I had to wear it. I personally never used the glock.

There are also a vast array of non-leathal weapons on which I was trained, but never got to use. My favorite was they called 'the star wars' light. It was a flashlight that basically blinds people without actually damaging the eyes. It had a greenish glow to it.

As a corrections officer I carry no weapons on my person save my fists. I do however wear an emergency pack, if it is jolted heavily, set in a horizontal or semi-horizontal position for more than a few seconds, or if i press a button on it, it goes off sending a signal to central control, they make a PA announcement and about 3-40 other officers come running into the location.
In worst case scenarios (riots and i've only seen this done once) we can be rapidly issued batons, shields and helmets. Sometimes when you get someone who kicks on a door for like 8 hours and pretty much is insane we have to use Oleoresin Capsicum Spray (which is way... way... way fucking worse then pepper spray.)

How much can you protest to a officer without getting shafted. If I get pulled over they always ask to search my car and I go though the whole procedure. What is a nice way to just say no I really don't want you searching my car, write me a ticket or let me go.

ace_of_something:

As a police officer I carried a Glock using .357 SIG

Heck yeah, I just got a glock 32 yesterday I love it ammo just cost a lot though. I'm looking to get a 9mm conversion barrel just for the range, and carrying .357 hollowpoints otherwise.

EDIT also since I hav a CCL if I get pulled over do I need to let a cop know i'm carrying? I don't want him to see it and freak out.

have you ever fired your gun up in the air and gone, "AHRAGARAGARAG!!!!!"
:D

but seriously, was there a point in your career where you said, "this is why i wanted to be a cop"?

666thHeretic:
Has anyone ever successfully gotten out of a ticket with that retarded "my taxes pay your salary" line? Are you permitted to be a dick when someone receiving a ticket is being needlessly hostile?

No... oddly enough the people that usually say that don't realize we can see if they are on a govt assistance program and often times... they were. A good officer will remain professional when someone is being verbally abusive, but there is a point where you can get another ticket for being nasty usually it falls under 'obstruction' in most cities/counties or a special local law.

smallharmlesskitten:
Have you ever hit someone with an Impact Baton?

My department did not use impact batons but rather ceramic ones. And if your follow up is with that, yes a few times.

Siuss:

For most places this seems fine but it gets dark around 6-6:30 around here so it's just really annoying. I do see your' point though, but we have never actually been caught doing anything illegal, as a matter of fact we reported graffiti (A rebel flag and a bunch of anti-homosexuality banter) to the police. I just wish they could leave us alone.

Your best bet is to continue being good citizens as you have said. Some cops are kind of like fisherman if they see they aren't gonna catch anything the move on. Or depending on your neighborhood (and that might be a factor too) you could wave at them smile, and ask them how their night is going.
Also, god graffiti is annoying, glad you told them.

Non quote to alleviate block of text...

It's a pretty classy neighborhood that is really why we called in the graffiti, we don't need the young 'uns learning hate.

My brother in law is a cop, I've heard a lot of these. My question to you is, how far does the thin blue line extend for you? I know many a cop who has done questionable things, such as sex with minors in crusiers or confiscating and selling/using drugs, have you ever witnessed such behavior, and if so, what did you do about it?

to: sneakypenguin

What sucks about searches are you're kind of fucked no matter what, if you say 'yes you may search my car' they will most likely do it. You'd be surprised how often something is found that way. If you say "No" it can arise suspicion.
You might want to say where you're going calmly and respectfully. "Is there a reason (sir) or ma'am? I really need to go to work at the bank."

Assuming your gun is legally registered, you would probably want to tell them, "I have a registered gun in the car it's in the (wherever you keep it)". What sucks about this is that might cause them to go into a long ass ordeal checking the legality of the gun and such depending on your local laws.

If they're being a complete and utter dick and you feel it's completely unjustified ask for the officer's supervisor. Most, but not all, departments are required to contact said supervisor. Use that with caution though, as they remember such things.

edit: holy fuck this ones tags got messed up I fail at internets

ninjablu:
What is the correct procedure for reporting an Officer's abuse of power? One of my friends went to jail, and I can't go into details. But he did somethings he shouldn't have

Well if he's already in jail he'll likely have to sit it out/pay his bond (every state has different bond procedures). I suggest looking on that department's website seeing how to lodge a complaint. Usually there is an entity run by the county/city separate from the dept. (not cops) that investigate complaints.

frozenshad:
have you ever fired your gun up in the air and gone, "AHRAGARAGARAG!!!!!"
:D

but seriously, was there a point in your career where you said, "this is why i wanted to be a cop"?

sadly no... there are times i wanted to though.

It's simple little things like knowing that someone who deserves it are off the streets and helping the other people in the community.

Or in one case while I was on foot patrol i actually honest to god, got a little girl's cat out of a tree. She was 5 her mother thanked me and the little girl gave my leg a hug.

chronobreak:
My brother in law is a cop, I've heard a lot of these. My question to you is, how far does the thin blue line extend for you? I know many a cop who has done questionable things, such as sex with minors in crusiers or confiscating and selling/using drugs, have you ever witnessed such behavior, and if so, what did you do about it?

Hoooo boy, given the medium of an internet forum I can't go too much into this. I personally am a fricken boyscout. The department I was on had, thankfully, very little problem with corruption. I personally saw very little at least on the level of seriousness that you're speaking of. I did tell my Sgt. about one officer I felt was often needlessly aggressive, who I found out later, was being investigated for just that.

We did have one instance when a patrolman on duty solicited a prostitute he was fired promptly. I have actually sold drugs myself... but that was to arrest mid level dealers... and i didn't see one dime :-p.

In corrections I have seen pretty much no corruption, not a lot of room for it I suppose.

ace_of_something:
I have actually sold drugs myself... but that was to arrest mid level dealers... and i didn't see one dime :-p.

The cops are allowed to do that? I thought that came under entrapment (although I could be completely wrong).

Graustein:

ace_of_something:
I have actually sold drugs myself... but that was to arrest mid level dealers... and i didn't see one dime :-p.

The cops are allowed to do that? I thought that came under entrapment (although I could be completely wrong).

entrapment is very very complicated. But I'll try to simplify it, it is entrapment if you make someone do something they would NOT normally do. example:

We put word out on the street that I am a drug wholesaler (selling large quantities to avoid arresting users and focusing on dealers) everyone in the neighborhood knows that another cop as a cornerman, who points to the building i'm 'living' in the our dealer comes in and buys the thousands of dollars of drugs. He was in no way 'forced' or 'tricked' to buy the drugs. Not entrapment

Now if that same guy comes in and says "naw, I don't want to buy today" I than tell him he can't leave till he buys. That would be entrapment.

Another example: We would set up cars with three cameras in them in nasty areas, and leave the windows rolled down. Those cars would get stolen about 5 times a day. Every one of them argued entrapment, none of them won because nothing forced or coerced them to steal the car, it was just parked on the street with the windows down. (No key!)

Why is it that some cops are cool about some of the dumb shit that people do and some are ready to give you every charge that they could possibly give you? On a side note, do cops liked to be referred to as cops?

Action_Bastard:
Why is it that some cops are cool about some of the dumb shit that people do and some are ready to give you every charge that they could possibly give you? On a side note, do cops liked to be referred to as cops?

Cops are human beings, some are cool, some are dicks. Just like anyone else.

Kind of the same answer for the 2nd one. However, I will say context is important. If you get pulled over and say "What do you want cop?" you're gonna get a pissy officer.

ace_of_something:

Or in one case while I was on foot patrol I actually honest to god, got a little girl's cat out of a tree. She was 5 her mother thanked me and the little girl gave my leg a hug.

How dare you! Stealing the fire department's job like that. Disgraceful =P

Anyway, here in Western Australia the number of incidents of assaults on police officers has increased recently, and now the state government is putting new laws in place to punish people who do this (previously there was a fine of $100).

How do they treat that sort of thing in the States?

Are the rumors about the showers really true? eg is there a lot of sexual assault? Or is that just a deterant to scare people out of crime?

Novajam:

ace_of_something:

Or in one case while I was on foot patrol I actually honest to god, got a little girl's cat out of a tree. She was 5 her mother thanked me and the little girl gave my leg a hug.

How dare you! Stealing the fire department's job like that. Disgraceful =P

Anyway, here in Western Australia the number of incidents of assaults on police officers has increased recently, and now the state government is putting new laws in place to punish people who do this (previously there was a fine of $100).

How do they treat that sort of thing in the States?

Wow, One thing most people from other countries don't realize about the USA is we have 50 states and they all have 50 different sets of law/punishment practices, although you can generalize... Most states Assault on Officer carries jail time, usually a month. Also if an officer is assaulted they legally can use one level of force above the offender.
So if you start punching, a cop can use a mild weapon (a baton). If you pull out a knife, that's lethal force so expect it back.

excessum ado:
Are the rumors about the showers really true? eg is there a lot of sexual assault? Or is that just a deterant to scare people out of crime?

There is a small amount of truth to this, however it is GREATLY exaggerated. First of all this is pretty much non-existent in jails. (a jail is where you go when first arrested and where you sit while you await trial or are sentenced to less than 2 years)

Statistically, if a grown man is raped in the United States it will most likely be in prison. (prison is where you go after sentencing and if it's more than 2 years) But cases are incredibly rare. Part of this is because of the only thing president Bush did that I approved of The Prison Rape Elimination Act. This helps correctional centers train their officers and administration to identify potential victims and predators, and address the situations accordingly.
The reason it was previously a problem is that you could NOT be prosecuted legally for it, now you can be thanks to PREA.

Most of it is just Hollywood.

smallharmlesskitten:
Would you take offence if I said
"Good afterble Constanoon"
Acting slightly drunk when I really wasn't

You'd be surprised how many people think it's HILARIOUS to fake being drunk. And how often they don't think we have hours upon hours of training to identify when someone is drunk.

I personally would make you do a sobriety test or two or three. This will waste some of your precious time. And if it's bad enough I'll give you the breathalyzer test and than say it was positive. (yes, deception is legal) Most people would freak out and let you know they're faking by then.

They won't be a smart ass again. :-)

Khell_Sennet:
Couple Q's for ya Ace...

First, what state/province was your time spent in. Reason for asking being that your answers will reflect that jurisdiction's laws and thus things may or may not work the same where any of us are.

Second, in whatever jurisdiction you served, what would be the max, min, and most likely punishments for shooting someone with a paintball gun. This is of course, off range, and incase it matters or not, the person shot would be guilty of trespassing and possibly other misdemeanors which would be the motivation for the shooting. Also tied into this question, what trouble could a person face if they just brandish the paintball marker but do not point it at them, or fire it. Furthermore, if someone were to shoot another person with a paintball gun for the trespassing, can and would charges be filed against the so-called victim of the shooting for his misdemeanors?

Thirdly (if you count all the above one as one), I have a folding/lock-blade knife in my glove box, I keep it there because (especially in an emergency) you never know when you need a knife. I consider it a tool, not a weapon, and the blade itself is a legal model within the knife size/type restrictions of where I live. Being that it is kept in the same place as my insurance papers, should I mention its presence to an officer before I ever reach for my insurance, or am I just making more trouble for myself for doing so?

Fourthly, did they ever reveal to you the location of Jimmy Hoffa's body?

Well I'm trying to remind people that it is just my jurisdiction, outside of SENTENCING most states have very very similar laws. Omaha, Nebraska if you must know, pop is about 400,000 (plus surrounding areas).

Little confused on the question.
If someone is trespassing on your property shooting them with a paintball gun, while really stupid (what if they have a REAL gun?) isn't illegal. You're looking more at civil problems than criminal.

If YOU'RE trespassing on someone elses property and shoot THEM with a paintball gun. The paintball gun itself could be... terroristic threats, 1st degree assault, attempted armed robbery. The thing is that if you have something that LOOKS like a weapon you can still get a weapon charge. (a toy gun, or putting your finger under your coat and pretending it's a gun) I couldn't even hazard to guess the sentencing, as sentencing in this country is made of many complex formulas and deals are made frequently that'd be more a question for an attorney.

I would keep it somewhere else, or say "there is a knife in my glove box next to my insurance papers, do you still want me to grab the papers or do you want to do it?"

No, they don't tell you until you're a captain I only made corporal

smallharmlesskitten:

Khell_Sennet:

Fourthly, did they ever reveal to you the location of Jimmy Hoffa's body?

Wasn't that the Mob?

yes... yes it was the mob... no more questions about hoffa...

To carry around a tazer and pepper spray as a cop, do you really have to be tazed/pepper sprayed? It's a popular rumor around here.

Also, what's the most graphic sight you have seen as a cop?