What happened to the police I knew as a kid?

[Tennsix]

Nah, I would rather enjoy the show.

[Mr. Security]

No problem. Confession is good for the soul. Tennsix will be sending your summons in the mail.

[Lawson]

You'll be the "sucka" when you see those pretty blue & red lights flashing behind you.

Ive got a pretty good track record for not getting cited. Though I dont push my luck. Ive had some violations that I would have taken me to jail for, but oh well.

I dont do it alot, but I do admit, every once in a while, I have used the wake of an ambulance, fire truck or police car to get through some obnoxious traffic.

[Mr. Security]

I've issued a few citations for that. I have been known to follow fire, EMS, funeral vehicles just for that reason.

Man, would I enjoy doing a ride-along w/you when you do that.

Sweeeeet justice.

[Tennsix]

You'll be the "sucka" when you see those pretty blue & red lights flashing behind you.

I've issued a few citations for that. I have been known to follow fire, EMS, funeral vehicles just for that reason.

[Mr. Security]

Lol, that is me sucka.

You'll be the "sucka" when you see those pretty blue & red lights flashing behind you.

[Lawson]

LOL. I think I would be tempted to try it with the way people are today. In fact, when I pull to the right for an ambulance, it's not uncommon for the guy behind me to pull right behind the ambulance so that he can pass everyone else.

Lol, that is me sucka.

[Mr. Security]

My brother is an EMT and he told me once that he took his train horn with him on the ambulance and blew it and people were swerving off the road and everything...it is funny to hear him tell it...after all he was like 25 at the time...no way would he try that now...but I get a laugh picturing it......

LOL. I think I would be tempted to try it with the way people are today. In fact, when I pull to the right for an ambulance, it's not uncommon for the guy behind me to pull right behind the ambulance so that he can pass everyone else.

[N. A. Corbier]

My thoughts on polo shirts: Polo shirts are good for "casual duty," or duties where there is an enviornmental or duty issue. Polo shirts are good for softening the look of a security officer. With a uniform duty belt and uniform pants/shorts, the look isn't softened too much, especially when the polo shirt has embroidery or silkscreening to identify the member.

I, personally, will not wear shorts. I have done beach patrol in full Class B uniform, long sleeves, and duty boots. Some folks look good in shorts. Some don't. I don't.

Like any piece of uniform equipment, it has to look good on the individual employee. I cannot wear a baseball cap, I look silly in it. But I can wear a smokey bear hat and not look silly in it. The reverse is true for other folks.

But, histfan71 brought up an important point. The uniform itself, the way you take care of it, and how you wear it are important parts of effective non-verbal communication. If you wear the uniform properly, then you convey a sense of lawful authority that can back that authority up. If you don't... It dosen't matter what kind of lawful authority you have, no one is going to believe you can back it up. It can be as simple as the teens at the food court ignore you, or as life and death as "Who do I want to kill today... That sloppy guard looks like a good target..."

[K9BITESME]

Originally Posted by N. A. Corbier
I think a 200 watt digital air horn is just fine. Especially when you turn it on while rolling up on some unsuspecting idiot.

Yes, I can be evil.
************************************************** *******
My brother is an EMT and he told me once that he took his train horn with him on the ambulance and blew it and people were swerving off the road and everything...it is funny to hear him tell it...after all he was like 25 at the time...no way would he try that now...but I get a laugh picturing it. He finally quit that job after 13 years of it and went to be a dispatcher for Life Flight...a helicopter that Baptist Hospital has in Pensacola, Florida.

[K9BITESME]

For regular everyday patrol duties I think it looks unprofessional, however.

[K9BITESME]

For regular everyday patrol duties I think it looks unprofessional, however.

That's what I was saying.

[Tennsix]

I used to do volunteer work as an Emergency Medical Technician-First Responder for a suburb of Montreal. We had a red truck that looked like Squad 51 from the tv show Emergency!. When it would break down we would borrow a green pickup truck from the City Works department. It had a yellow flasher on top. We had a bullhorn with a built in siren. We used to go speeding to calls, going through red lights with the yellow flasher going, the window open with the bullhorn stuck outside. The "siren" sounded like a wounded cow! We're likely we didn't get killed!!

That sounds like a Jeff Foxworthy joke.

[HotelSecurity]

I think a 200 watt digital air horn is just fine. Especially when you turn it on while rolling up on some unsuspecting idiot.

Yes, I can be evil.

I used to do volunteer work as an Emergency Medical Technician-First Responder for a suburb of Montreal. We had a red truck that looked like Squad 51 from the tv show Emergency!. When it would break down we would borrow a green pickup truck from the City Works department. It had a yellow flasher on top. We had a bullhorn with a built in siren. We used to go speeding to calls, going through red lights with the yellow flasher going, the window open with the bullhorn stuck outside. The "siren" sounded like a wounded cow! We're likely we didn't get killed!!

Like here in Florida...we have Beach Police on the beach. They drive around with a surfboard in the back of their truck and they wear shorts and a polo shirt. Come on now... who could possibley take them serious without laughing at their attire?

I have no problem with the polo shirt/shorts look in the appropriate setting such as a beach patrol, boat patrol, bike patrol, etc. For regular everyday patrol duties I think it looks unprofessional, however.

I remember watching a training video put out several years ago by the Indiana State Police, I think it was. They interviewed a convicted cop killer who killed a city police officer (I think it was an Indianapolis PD officer) in the early 1980's. The killer hated the police and one day decided to kill a cop. One of the questions asked by the interviewer was why the killer picked his particular victim.

The killer said that he picked a particular donut shop that was frequented by the city cops. The killer said that two other cops showed up before the particular victim the killer chose. The killer said that he left the first two cops alone because they wore their uniforms proudly and their leather gear and shoes shined. The killer thought they would be harder targets to kill.

The killer described the victim cop as wearing a sloppy uniform that didn't fit properly, the victim cop was not wearing body armor, the victim cop was overweight, and his leather gear was dull. The killer thought this cop would be an easy target, and it looks like he was. Something to think about the next time you don't feel like ironing your uniform or shining your shoes.