Things that must go

I podcast a radio program named "X96 Radio from Hell" (for people who feel like hell in the morning) which is a local morning show on 96.3 fm. The radio hosts of this show (Kerry, Bill and Gina) have a bit on their show named, "Things that must go." It is where listeners email lists of different things that bug them or behavior that they want the community to stop doing.

From a police officers point of view I have a few things I wish the public would not do. So if you as readers come across another officer try to keep these things in mind. It does not bug all officers but it is definitely annoying to me...so knock it off.

1. If your kids are misbehaving in public do not say to your kid, "You better stop or that officer is gonna come take you away...see...here he comes" as I walk by. DO NOT teach your children to fear policemen. Not only is it bad parenting its just plan annoying for me to hear everywhere I go. Makes a guy feel great about himself as I send every kid screaming and crying as they run away from me.
2. If you happen to be the unfortunate soul that is pulled over by an officer wait for him to approach your window before you start opening your glove box and rifling around the ginormous stack of papers looking for your registration and insurance. I understand you are only thinking a head but officers think differently. They don't know if you are a soccer mom or a felon on the run. Officers have safety on their mind at all times and will always look to see if you are reaching for a gun. Keep BOTH hands on the steering wheel as they approach the car. Then do as instructed if told to get your paperwork.
3. CLEAN OUT YOUR GLOVE BOXES! You only need the current years insurance and registration. It is absolutely okay to throw away (shred) old registrations and proof of insurance cards. I had a guy hand me a registration from 1999 the other day! If there are only the two up to date papers in the glove box there won't need to be any rifling through papers and you won't go through the embarrassment of the officer seeing your hand shake as you hold each paper wondering what you need to give him.
4. Don't say, "What seems to be the problem officer?" Not only does it make you seem clueless its just plain cliche to say anymore these days. The officer will usually start to tell you anyway.
5. Don't give attitude or debate with the officer about the reason for the stop. Officers have discretion about whom they issue citations to. Obviously if you treat the officer poorly expect to get a citation in return.
6. If by chance an officer starts to approach you don't attempt the joke, "I didn't do it!" or "I'm innocent" or "He did it" has you point to a friend and lift your hands in the air in mock gun point. I can't begin to tell you how many people say this. Not funny and over played people.

Just a few ideas and suggestions for you to digest. Who knows...maybe it just might change the outcome of your day.

Getting Tazed

Watching this still makes me hurt and laugh. Also known as "riding the white lightening" this bad boy shocks you with 50,000 volts of electricity. The purpose is to stop the brain from being able to send messages to the rest of the body thus making an officer able to gain control of a combative suspect. The people to each side of me are to make sure I don't fall flat on my face which would have happened had they not been there.

I'm told the reason is so that I know what it feels like to be tasered. That way if I ever go to court I can explain that I've experienced this before and I was not using excessive force. I understand the logic behind this reasoning. However, my argument is I don't need to be shot by my own gun to know that it hurts. ;-)

Being Cautious

So its been forever and a day since I've typed anything at all on my blog. Its mostly due to the fact that I'm being careful. Obviously I can't give names or specific information about what occurs. With everything I handle there is potential for it going to trial. If I give too specific information I could cause a mistrial and let a criminal go free because his right to privacy was violated.

So I think I'll keep things vague and talk more about insights and observations I have while on duty. “Through the eyes of an officer.” I find most people are curious about police work and always seem to have a plethora (yes...a plethora) of questions about what goes on for a normal day and what things I've handled.

So here is me giving this another go. I'll answer the questions I've been asked the most. Yes, I've pulled my gun on someone, yes I've fired my weapon in the line of duty (not what you think. Had to put down a deer that was hit by a car), no I've never tazered anyone, yes I've been in fights and tackled people, yes I've been in foot and vehicle pursuits, yes I've seen a dead body (on several occasions) etc etc.

The other question I've been asked is what does the 10-41 and 10-42 mean at the beginning and end of each posting. Officers use whats called the “10 code” while using the radio. It keeps traffic to a minimum and gets the message across faster and easier to understand then common speech. 10-41 is “beginning tour of duty” and 10-42 is “ending tour of duty.” Basically when a person starts and ends their assigned shift for the day.

Currently I work squad 2. Its weekend days with every squad have a swing shift for their last day. I work four 10 hour days. Fri-Sun 630 to 430 and Monday 300 pm to 100 am. Since living so far away it makes for a long day waking up at 445 each day to be ready for work and arrive on time. I'm currently assigned what is considered one of the worst areas of the city (and considering the city its humorous to me that there are worse areas then others.) I cover from 20th Street south to 30th Street and Washington Blvd east to Monroe Blvd. Smack in the middle of the city where a lot of the action is.

Please feel free to ask questions in the comments section and I'll do my best to answer them.