Patrol: Page 55

Surfing the Criminal Mind

When asked why he read Cosmo, a man I respected explained that you had to know what the enemy was thinking. The following Websites may not have obvious appeal for the street cop, but you ignore them at your own peril.

De-Ass Yourself!

There will always be those whose personal missions are not to provide support, but domination and personal aggrandizement. They are easily recognized, and their true stripes become the subject of many a windshield conference and informal briefing. They may believe their self-authored press releases, but few others do.

Smilin' Faces

The song asserts that "your enemies won't do you no harm, because you know where they're coming from." But it's getting them identified and on radar in the first place that's the problem, and first impressions at least as they relate to smiling faces and our profession can be an iffy proposition, at best.

Don’t Keep Your Fellow Officers in the Dark

Consider, for example, surveillance operations that do not run 24/7, where suspects are occasionally at liberty to be detained by patrol officers who may not know what they're in for once they pull such suspects over, or otherwise detain them. At these times it’s best to share the info.

Take Time to Educate the Educators

As any cop who works day shift will attest, teachers are often the front line in identifying problems. Tagging, dope dealing, and gang activities are often identified by vigilant teachers. But vigilance is only half the battle. What the teachers do with the information they acquire is just as important. As such, teachers sometimes make well-intended mistakes.

Testing for Sergeant

While I can't do anything to help you pass the time during the waiting process, I can give you some tips on how to maximize your testing experience.

Your Database Is As Good as the Information Put Into It

When Nevada Highway Patrol trooper Carlos Borland pulled over a Chevrolet Blazer on I-80 in response to a call that originated from a nearby truck stop, he did so without the knowledge that the vehicle's driver was an escapee from a North Carolina prison and that he had allegedly murdered two people the previous week. The Blazer was itself reported stolen and bearing license plates stolen from yet another vehicle.

Don't Be a Bully with a Badge

I understand full well the temptation to administer a little street justice. But while you may be able to rationalize Avenging Angels actions to yourself, you'll have a devil of a time defending it in court.

Euthanizing Animals (And I Mean the Four-Legged Kind)

Humane issues not withstanding, the situation was a no-brainer: The deer had to be put out of its misery before it caused a traffic accident.

Say What You Mean

Ours is a profession that places emphasis on saying what we mean and meaning what we say. However, what we say and what we mean can be wildly divergent in the minds of our audience. What follows are some cautionary tales about using ambiguous wording.

Besting the Defense at Cross Examination

We all know the feeling. You catch the bad guy, book all of your evidence, and put together a great case. Now you're in court, sitting on the stand answering the district attorney's questions when he or she finally says, "no further questions."

Bad Assumptions Can Bite You in the Ass

Example Three: Cops ask a resident if she minds if they search a bedroom.
“No problem,” she says.
The search is conducted and evidence seized, only to be suppressed at trial. The reason? The person that granted permission had no legal standing to do so.

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