Many of the ill informed, those that think “Training Day” is accurate and shows how it really is done on the streets, may harbor some bogus ideas on what the police can and can not do, allow me to help out.

First, remember this:

image

In cop world, this is as good as it gets, being left alone, not being shot at, being far removed from smelly obnoxious drunks, imbibing and nourishing one’s self with the nectar of the gods. And yes, it is bad form to crack any donut jokes in our presence, despite the fact that we know every donut created by man and can give you a minute breakdown at to when the local places remove the fresh baked every day, we don’t want our noses rubbed in it. We carry PR-24’s and have the power to pretty much F__k up your entire day, so be civil.

One of the best web sites ever made has a very insightful piece on 7 bullshit police myths that everyone should be aware of, take notes.

Hollywood has never been afraid to sacrifice realism for the sake of an entertaining story. And since pretty much every movie or TV show features the police in some way, we as an audience get fed a lot of total horseshit about how the law works and how cops operate in the USA.

But as most of us are on the outside of the judicial system (for the moment) we usually don’t even realize that what we’re being told is incorrect.

It’s worse than that, blogs have done more than their fair share of spreading dis information, stuff that will empower you right into a smelly jail cell. All this stuff here is pretty accurate. Although different states have different rules, there is a uniformity since most procedures and guidelines are mandated by federal law.

Regarding #7, when dealing with physical evidence at a crime scene, it is important to understand that when somebody enters your crime scene, they are bringing stuff in that does not belong there, same with leaving, they are taking something out that might help you. This is why they try to preserve it and keep out the fire guys and the paramedics, if at all possible.

Regarding #5, I have read of certain hubris on blogs (maybe some think so here as well)  of certain people possessing the opinion that nothing good can come from talking to cops and that they will never ever saying anything to them, even when stopped. I have never understood this attitude. As the article makes clear, there are times when you are required to discourse, and if not, off you go. But there are many legitimate reasons why you would want to help, if you witness a crime or can provide material information that would help a victim. Or, if narcissism is you motto in life and you find yourself on the wrong end of an accusation, and you are innocent, by all means, blab away.  Say you are driving home from a late night business meeting,  stopped a mile from home by the cops and get pulled out the wing window by gunpoint, if your attitude is ,“I ain’t saying shit”, then you will get your car impounded and will spend the night in the slammer. But if your brain works somewhat logically and you demand to know whats going on, they will inform you that 15 minutes ago there was a liquor store robbery in the area and a guy matching your description fled the scene in a car kinda like this one. You then identify yourself, explain that you were in a business meeting, here is the address and phone number, and after a few minutes of corroboration, you are uncuffed and sent on your merry way with an apology. So let’s see, a good story to tell the wife, or a bad experience that you will remember for the rest of your life?

All of the other ones are also accurate and informative. The only quibble I would have with #2 is that Miranda will usually be read even to already arrested suspects, both to inform about the attorney being provided and if any other questions need to be asked, which is usually always the case.

I’m not going to say ,“we are here to help you”, as with government, any exertion of authority should not be taken lightly, but certain common sense things like not spitting into the wind or tugging on Superman’s cape should be re iterated from time to time. I have never ever heard anyone regale with an arrest story with a punctuation of “Good Time”.