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How come so many officers showed up when they were called?
Depending on the circumstances, the officers assigned to this
particular call may have either felt as though there was an
element of risk sufficient to warrant precautions such as
deployment of additional personnel. In most cases, it is
standard protocol for officers to "back-up" one another on calls
or traffic stops. It is impossible to predict which call is
going to pose a risk, so officers are encouraged to assist each
other whenever feasible for their safety and that of the people
they are serving.
Can a police officer legally stop me for no reason?
Yes and no. Under the color of law or as a law enforcement
officer, he or she may only stop you if they believe they can
articulate reasonable suspicion which would justify an
investigative stop. As people, however, officers are permitted
to stop and speak to you whenever you consent to random
conversation.
How come police officers don't shake hands with people they
meet?
There are several reasons for this. The first is that it is not
safe for an officer to give up their strong hand to another
person. If the person who is extending their hand has the
intention to do the officer physical harm, this puts the officer
at a significant tactical disadvantage. Since there is no way of
knowing the intentions of someone who extends their hand to the
officer in apparent friendship, the officer generally will not
return the gesture.
The other reason is simple health concerns. Let's face it,
police officers are intermingling with the general public the
entire time that they are working. If the officer continues to
have casual physical contact with the dozens of people that they
meet during any particular shift, they would be sick more often
than not.
How should I refer to the police in front of my children?
For the most part, the manner in which you choose to raise your
children is strictly your business. As officers, we recommend
that you encourage your children to see police officers as their
"friends." You should refrain from making comments to your child
like, "See that police officer over there? If you don't start
behaving, I am going to have the officer take you to jail." This
makes children leery about coming to us when they get lost or
need assistance. Encourage your children to use us as a resource
for safety and security.
When should I dial 911?
It would almost always be appropriate to call 911 when you feel
that there is a significant risk of life or limb. You should
dial 911 to report a serious traffic crash, an in-progress
crime, or if you think someone is lurking around your house.
Misuse of 911 presents a significant danger to the general
public and the emergency personnel who are charged with their
protection. As a result, the misuse of 911 is expressly
prohibited by Florida Law and violators are subject to arrest,
incarceration, and/or a monetary fine.
Do I have talk to the police when they stop me?
That would depend on the reason the officer stopped you. If it
is to investigate a possible crime or to issue you a traffic
citation, not speaking to an officer may earn you a stay in the
county jail. If the officer approaches you and engages you in
general conversation, and you can be sure that the officer is
not in the official performance of his duties, you are under no
legal obligation to entertain the conversation... that might be
kind of rude though, don't you think?
Why do police officers frequently shine lights in my eyes or
mirrors?
Who are you? We don't know. We also don't know what your
intentions are. Light has a wonderful tendency to keep our
movement somewhat concealed from view, and subsequently enhances
our safety against a potential assault. We are certainly not
saying that an officer who uses their lighting on a traffic stop
thinks that you are going to try to hurt him / her, but we take
the precautions with everyone, because again... we never know.
When does an officer have to read me my rights?
This is an interesting question. In fact, it is a question that
many legal experts tend to debate. Most of the confusion can be
blamed on TV police dramas. Very simply, there are two
requirements that must be present for an officer to be required
to read you your rights. You must be "in custody" and you must
be in a position to answer questions which would incriminate
you. Period. So, for instance: if you are arrested for retail
theft, the officer has reviewed the store's video tape of the
offense, recovered the merchandise, and for whatever reason,
does not feel as though they need your input into the
investigation, they may not choose to read you your rights. That
is perfectly appropriate.
Is it safe to pet a police dog?
Ask the handler. These dogs have two distinct personalities.
They serve as loyal and diligent police partners to their
handler when he /she is working and they serve as pets for the
officers and their families when off-duty. If you talk to a K-9
officer, they will tell you that their dog knows when it is time
to go to work. One of the skills that handlers develop with
their dogs is their sociability. More then likely, the handler
will permit you to pet his four legged partner, but always get
the officer's permission first.
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