Dopespy's Blog

Earlier this week I was speaking with one of my officers about his appearance. This particular officer is an officer who usually has a slightly wrinkled uniform with an occasional stain on a visible location on his shirt. His hair appears to always need trimming and at times he has a five o’clock shadow. This officer also usually has a messy patrol car (papers, old coffee/soda cups all over the inside).

 

 

On the other hand, this officer’s work habits are great. He always come to work on time and often work overtime whenever needed. He makes lots of arrest, he writes lots of tickets, and he handles MOST of his calls properly with the highest professionalism. This officer has not had any complaints from citizens and he has received several compliments from citizens that were happy with how he handled their problem.

 

 

Basically, I was trying to express to this officer that his appearance counts for a lot. I think that the community seems to show more respect for an officer that is dressed neat and is properly groomed.  He responded, “what difference does it makes as long as I do my job?”

 

 

Question: As citizens, do you feel that an officer’s appearance really count?

Over the past couple of years car thefts has risen within St. Louis city and county. Many of these thefts are as a result of people starting their cars and leaving them running so that the car can warm up. Some municipalities are penalizing these particular citizens with a fine (if an officer spots the car in the driveway running and also if the officer learns that the vehicle was stole as a result of the car being left running and unattended). Some departments are giving less attention in retrieving the vehicle if they learn that the vehicle was stolen due to the vehicle being left running and unattended. Many police departments understand that people feel that the need to warm up their vehicles on a cold day. However, police at times feel that such actions only entice car thieves and officers have to spend lots of time getting the vehicle back.

 

 

Some people feel that it’s their property and if they want to start (even if it gets stolen) then it’s their problem. They feel that the police should not have the authority to give them a fine.

 

 

Question:

1. What’s your thought on people who leave their cars running (unattended)?
2. Do you feel that police should react differently for car stolen that was left running?
3. Should police officers have the authority to give fines to people if an officer spots the car in the driveway running and/or the officer learns that the vehicle was stole as a result of the car being left running and unattended?

My department is taking a serious look at putting officers back on foot and/or bike patrols. These officers would have specific areas where they would either walk or ride a bike and would concentrate on any community based concerns.

Question: how do you all feel about police officers being on foot patrol in your neighborhood?

In a

In a 5-4 decision decided in January, the United States Supreme Court effectively dished up more power onto the plates of law enforcement officers, giving them the authority to detain a person who flees at the mere sight of a policeman. Unprovoked flight upon the sight of police, said the Court, is the consummate act of evasion. Although it is not necessarily indicative of wrongdoing, it clearly is suggestive of such. Thus, in determining reasonable suspicion, the police can make commonsense judgments and inferences about human behavior. Although the concept of "reasonable suspicion" still remains somewhat intact – that is, the Court did not endorse a "bright-line" rule – the scales of justice are now clearly tipped in favor of the State. ( www.forensic-evidence.com)

In my department (within St. Louis County) we do not have the authority to arrest/charge someone for merely running from a police officer. If one of my officers observed a subject running he/she  CAN chase and stop the subject, but unless the officer can find that this person actually committed a crime the person cannot be charged with fleeing. Also the officer does not have the authority to search the subject.

Question: do you feel that a person should or should not be charged with fleeing if they rum from a police officer?

 

 

In m    

 

 

 

 

In my department an officer responds to EVERY  911 call no matter if its a robbery or a barking dog. It seems that some citizens believe that they should call 911 for every problem that they have (no matter what the problem is). For example, when St. Louis had the bad storms and the pawer went out, my department recieved numerous calls from people cpmplaining about not having electricity. My officers responded and tried to assist these people as much as possible, but  actually if the officer could not turn thier power back on they were not satisfied.

My question is do you all feel that officers should respond to ALL calls for help from 9-11?

In my department we do not have tickets qoutas and we don't recieve much funding from the fines paid. However, as a sergeant I urge my officers to go out any conduct many traffic stops. I strongly believe that the officer (s) can accomplish alot from a mere traffic stop such as, finding fugitives, locating drugs and illegal guns as well as stopping chronic traffic offenders who are always involved in accidents.
How do you all feel about traffic stops?
 
 

Last year St. Louis City was bombarded with violent crime in several areas of the city. This caused the police department to form a unit to deal with the problem (Crime Suppression Unit). My question to you all is, when it comes to violent crime in YOUR neighborhood
1. How should the police deal with it?
2. Should the police be proactive or reactive?
3. How much leeway should the police have?
 
 

Hey guys this is a real simple question (if there is such a thing).
However, I would really like some imput on what you all think. I would like to know what you all expect from your local police officers? For example, what are some of the things that you would expect your officers to do reference how to act at traffic stops or neighborhood patrols. I am a supervisor (Sergeant) and I will really like some input from the community. Thanks in advance for your responses.