I’m a cop from the US and am here in Edinburgh for the week. I’ve got patches from my agency and I’m hoping to do some patch trading or something. Is this a thing in the UK? Or am i going to get looked at like I’m stupid?

So long story short got the conditional job offer, then a week later got told that due to information obtained during the background I have not been selected to move forward. The department has super high lateral percentage. They were hiring for 2 slots maybe and had like 100 people plus 60 laterals trying. My backgrounds clean with law trouble, all my references were good, social media credit and all that is good. Especially since a BI (at least here) finishes his background report and submits it as a packet to the hiring authority who then offers me the job. My questions is it doesn’t says DQ anywhere. Is it possible they offered me a job and someone else also finished background, possibly a lateral who they offered it to? And why didn’t they just tell me that? It makes me worried it really is my background even tho I can’t think of a single thing. My buddy wants me to apply to his department so now I’m going too, but now I’m like wth happened. I wish I would’ve just gotten told but they said it’s confidential. I feel like if it was my background the BI would’ve asked me why I had this on it and just denied me before submitting a completed packet. Weird. Any input?

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Specter

A couple years ago I applied at a regional jail, completed the polygraph and background investigation just fine. A year later I went to a sheriff’s office, polygraph and background investigation completed just fine. Moved out of state, applied to work in a city jail and the background investigator found a old facebook account back from 2016 with a picture of me with my middle finger up, and what he thought were “gang signs” from my buddy, but in reality it was something completely different. I’m just confused on why I didn’t have any problems with my background investigation prior to this?

On TikTok, there was a viral video few years back of someone being caught with a fake ID for an unrelated daytime traffic stop. The officer's probable cause was like a 2 second glance in which he saw a potential fake.

I'm curious how often something like that happens.

TLDR, straight to the questions:

1. What sort of handheld flashlights do you folks use?

2. Any of you use LEP (Laser Excited Phosphor) flashlights?

Background:

I’m the account manager for a large construction site as well as an armed security guard in the US.

Up until recently, I carried a Streamlight Polytac as a pocket/backup light and as well as a Olight Javelot Pro that someone gifted me as a primary. The Javelot recently died, so in addition to seeing if I can get it fixed under warranty, I’m also wondering if I can second-line it and get something more reliable.

I also had an ace-beam W10 LEP, until the damn thing died in late 2023 completely out of the blue.

Ideally after something that can comfortably punch out to 300-500 yards with a tight beam so I don’t disturb the neighbors.

Thank you!

I’m thinking of reapplying to LASD after withdrawing due to my wife having health issues during her pregnancy. I’m wondering if anyone knows how likely you are to being assigned to the stations you choose? I would want to work in East LA, Temple station, or Altadena. Thanks!

So I've got a few applications in with a few departments that are all at various stages. Trying to be proactive and make my transition out of the Army at the end of the year as smooth as possible. So a few things:

1. Kind of a longshot question but has anyone here worked at or with Georgetown PD, Arlington PD, or DeSoto PD? From the outside looking in, they all seem like great departments to work for. Just curious about the work environment (besides the obvious), if the Chief is a real "cop's cop" or just likes getting his face on TV, how the local area is as far as living in the same community you police. The general atmosphere of either of the aforementioned departments.

2. More broad question for anyone but as mentioned above, I'm at different stages of the hiring process with multiple agencies. I had two top choices that I really wanted, currently I've submitted my PHS and been scheduled for testing at one, and the other I've got my oral boards at this week. I applied to 9 or 10 different places just so I didn't put all my eggs in one basket in case something fell through. Not that there's anything that will DQ me, but I'm just trying to have a PACE plan. On almost all of the PHS, I've noticed they're asking if I've applied anywhere in the past 3-10 years, and what stage I was at. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but could having different applications all over the place at the same time help or hurt me through the hiring process?

3. Looking back at your time in the academy, what's one thing you wish you would've known from the start? Not your typical "Study hard, dont fuck off, be a sponge" advice, but something along the lines of "learn this skill and get good at it" or "Always make sure you have at least 3 pens on you at all times." Something to really focus on getting great at that may seem minuscule, or a skill that your future self learned later that you wished you could've known/learned from day 1?

4. Looking back at the probationary/rookie version of yourself, what's the one piece of gear you wish now that you would've had from the jump? Hell, doesn't even have to be gear, could be something like "get a posture corrector you can use in the squad car, or maybe its even a certain way you find is the "best" way to set up your duty belt? Could be anything. Why you prefer an open top kydex holster for cuffs versus a pouch that has a closed flap and a button, or a specific holster or holster company, or a duty belt from a specific company, or a certain flashlight, maybe the best notebook and pen combo, or why you should keep your spray stored on the front left instead of the right rear, even what you wear on your LBV versus what you wear on your belt. Anything at all, I'm curious to hear about

5. I'm really big into shooting and I recently got into USPSA and IPSC, and if possible I'd like to use the department's range for shooting during the weekends or whenever I have free time and there isnt an academy class there. Wondering if thats even a thing? Or is that a "depends on your department SOP, different departments have different rules" type of thing? Or honestly, just wondering If any of yall in the sub utilize your dept range. Also, avid gun builder/collector. Been building my own guns for years and Im always upgrading my gear. For things like personally owned guns, gear and and ammo, where have you found (if any) the best discounts for LEOs?

In advance, I appreciate yalls future reccomendations and/or advice and I'm looking forward to hearing what yall have to share!

I just turned 20 years old this last week. I'm currently working at a movie theatre and going to community college and I feel like I am heading towards the "average" life. I want to have a purpose greater than helping a big company. I want to help people and I thought that becoming a police officer would be the best way to do it.

I am wondering how I go about getting started. I live in the Orlando area in Florida. From my understanding I would apply to and attend an academy for a set period of time and then advance to becoming an officer? Would I need to pay for this academy? Where do I even find and apply to these academies? Are there specific academy's for the agency that I want to join. I live in a decent sized town that has their own police force so I am planning on attempting to join that. If anyone could give me some sort of roadmap or timeline and what to do that would be so helpful! I am working part time 20-25 hours a week and I am wondering if I would have to quit my job to pursue an academy full time? I know this is a lot of questions and I should probably be able to find some of these but I am not sure where to start.

Hi there, I'm a 28 year old male who for the past 8 months has dedicated his time and resources to working towards becoming an officer. I have done the math and by this years end I will have done 53 applications, and i am either nearing, or at 30+ interviews. It's definitely been a learning experience as I failed many oral interviews at first, but have been knocking those out for months. I was hoping to hear from others have been in my position. For clarification I am in upper Illinois and have applied all across the collar counties to Cook County, and a few in Cook County. I appreciate any advice, I know even if this all falls through I need to keep going, and if 1-2 years nothing goes, there is the option of putting myself through an academy in Missouri, as much as I want to stay in Illinois for the foreseeable future.

I applied for an agency 2 years ago and I was 19 years old at the time. This agency hires 19 year olds as cadets. After my pre-evaluation packet for the polygraph I didn't get to move past that and according to the man I talked to, it had something to do with maturity. He made sure to tell any other agencies that I was not disqualified because of the polygraph, I was disqualified from taking the polygraph. I am reapplying after I graduate from college within this year and I was just curious if this will this affect my application to that agency or any other agencies.

I asked a local LEO what their oath was, and they couldnt tell me. But they told me they take their oath very seriously...

Can you recite your oath? Is it typical for officers to not be able to recite it verbatim? If you can, how does it make you feel that others cant? If you cant, how does it make you feel that others can?

Most of my knowledge of actual detective procedure - not supercop stuff - comes from Disco Elysium, which is muddled by the main character being almost comically screwed up. That main character also happens to spend most of his time on a homicide case talking to people and thinking to himself, which made me wonder: what do detectives tend to do with their workdays?

As an LEO, do you believe this statement is true?

Source: https://www.newjerseycriminallawattorney.com/legal-articles-information/drunk-driving-criminals-stats-risks-and-consequences/#:~:text=This%20has%20remained%20true%20for,were%20in%20a%20car%20accident.

Saw a video of horse mounted police in Toronto basically getting out of the way of a dude fleeing in a stolen vehicle.

One of the cops and one of the horses was injured which leads to my question, what purpose do they serve in modern policing? What is the benefit of having such units?

They can't outrun a car and there is a risk of injury or worse if hit by one.

Horses have a finite amount of energy unlike a car, which you can just refuel and run for shifts as long as you want.

Horses are not cheap. They need shelter, food, housing, Healthcare etc.

Is it just a tradition thing that some places retain these units for or is there a purpose or niche that such units actually fill?

I’m looking for a little low power flashlight/task light that can clip on a molle carrier. Something similar to this stream light clipmate

https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/clipmate-usb

Hello, for a non law enforcement position. What kind of pre-employment drug test do they do? Is it a urine test?

Howdy!

I applied to a police recruit position about 3 months ago, I passed the civil test, agility test, panel interview, voice stress test, and just did the medical assessment and psych evaluation. The latter two pending review from the agency.

I’m hoping to get some favorable news next week, hopefully? I’m pretty optimistic but the waiting game is eating me up!

Any advice for this hopeful future officer? I cannot wait to get into the academy and get into a career that will be challenging and fulfilling.

Thanks!

And says the kid is under arrest. But he never gets him out of the car and in the end lets him go. Isn't "under arrest" the part where you use handcuffs and take someone to jail?

I’m about to start applying to different agencies and a few people have told me different things. If you started at a big agency (such as 200k+ people in the city) did you regret it, feel overwhelmed at first? This has to deal with Frisco Texas so if there are any officers who had or do work there in this group is it a good agency to start. It’s about an hour from my current location maybe a little further.

Okay so when you’re making a left turn that is yield on green is it correct to roll out past the white line into the middle of the intersection? I see most people do this but I always wait behind the line until the intersection is clear. Missouri if that helps

Have you went to an through an academy on your own, not sponsored/hired by an agency? How is that process? You can just call up an talk with personnel at an academy an request to be in a class? And just pay whatever it cost? I've read stories over the years of folks being able to go through an academy but they had a slim chance of actually being hired because of whatever reason, but they were able to go through training because I guess money for the academy.. Heard this happening with vets using gi bill. Due to reasons to include me just not even knowing I was able to use mine... an now it's going to expire in about 8 months.. I'm literally thinking about seeing if I can just try an, well, go to an academy with it. Which if it goes successfully that should cover it. Too be honest... it might change later but I mean hey if I end up getting in LE then cool but I'm not like dead set or it's my "dream job". I want to be in an academy an get the experience. Have it in resume. I dont know. Just something different. Have more/those skills... have more confidence etc.I know that probably sounds crazy or doesn't make sense like why go through that but not really gonna try (to hard) to even get hired in LE?! So yeah... what are your thoughts on that? Have you gone through an academy just for the "experience"? Has anyone gone through an academy by self sponsor here an was not able to be hired for whatever reason? Have a great day an stay safe out there

Hey there people, I have a former coworker who is applying for a LE role and is asking for a reference which I agree but I don’t feel comfortable giving both my home and work address is there any way O can go around that?

Ok so my best friend is a marine and when he talks about the other branches— they are “superior.” I also saw a police body cam video today when a pedestrian said “officer” and the response was, “I’m not an officer I’m a trooper. OR when I’m watching law and order and someone will say “sorry detective” and Olivia will reply, “actually is CAPTAIN.”

So I’m just wondering is it moreso a respect thing, an ego thing, a mixture of both. And if like troopers do kind of side eye officers or does the SWAT team ever think some things are beneath them (as an example), etc etc.