So, who are the present/former cops on CAP Talk?

[Nomex Maximus]

I had not been paying attention until the last thread (the one that just got locked). Who all here on CAP Talk are present or former police officers?

I was a Sheriff's Deputy - Patrolman for DuPage County Illinois in the 80's. Was a Correctional Officer briefly for the Feds before that and a Youth Supervisor for the State of Illinois before that.

How about you all?

[BlueLakes1]

I was a reserve Deputy Sheriff in Jefferson County, KY from 1998 to 2003.

[Stonewall]

I'm a DOD cop.  People argue whether or not we're "real cops", but walk a night in my shoes and you'll see that my job is no different than that of the city cops outside the gates of the base.  In fact, we work closely with the local PD outside the gates.  We train with the local SWAT guys during training days (twice a month), have access to both federal, state and local training and do a lot more than most departments.

We have K-9, boat patrol, ATV, bike, a big training division, brand new 2007 Impalas with computers, and a whole bunch of other things.

Here are a few things that I have been involved with this past year:

Drive-by shooting (shotgun)
-2 meth lab busts, 1 off base 1 on base in housing
-Multiple domestic violence cases
-3 or 4 aggravated assaults
-10 weapons found in a sailor's house after he shot out 2 windows
-At least 20 DUIs
-Several auto accidents
-Lots of shoplifting at the NEX, usually dependent kids
-2 pursuits
-I have personally drawn my weapon 3 times
-Found 3 warrants on people I pulled over
-Can't even count how many suspended DL's I've found through traffic stops
-Written more than 150 tickets, and I usually don't pull over anyone until they hit 15 MPH over the limit
-Found a 17 year old carrying a .380 in his pants
-Found a contractor with a 9mm in his glove box
-Few fights
-Robberies
-Couple major child abuse cases, 1 was recently on the news

I'm a federal cop that works like a city cop.  I enjoy LE work but I come from the security field, professional security field that is.  Prior to being a cop I spent 5 years on a high level protection detail in DC for the President of the World Bank, a US Presidential appointee.  There, we held Special Deputation from the US Marshals Service.  So while we were "private" and the World Bank fell under the umbrella of the United Nations, we still had the powers of a Federal Agent, just paid from a private entity.  Had access to federal training; carried on US air carriers and traveled to more than 40 countries.  Before that, worked as a contractor for the CIA for about 5 years doing some cool stuff.

I'm trying to get back into the security field either with the government or private industry.

EDIT:  I'm also Security Forces (formerly Security Police) in the Air National Guard.

[SamFranklin]

I was a volunteer sheriff's deptuy in Lackawanna County.

- dks

[Ned]

Here are a few things that I have been involved with this past year:

Drive-by shooting (shotgun)
-2 meth lab busts, 1 off base 1 on base in housing
-Multiple domestic violence cases
-3 or 4 aggravated assaults
-10 weapons found in a sailor's house after he shot out 2 windows
-At least 20 DUIs
-Several auto accidents
-Lots of shoplifting at the NEX, usually dependent kids
-2 pursuits
-I have personally drawn my weapon 3 times
-Found 3 warrants on people I pulled over
-Can't even count how many suspended DL's I've found through traffic stops
-Written more than 150 tickets, and I usually don't pull over anyone until they hit 15 MPH over the limit
-Found a 17 year old carrying a .380 in his pants
-Found a contractor with a 9mm in his glove box
-Few fights
-Robberies
-Couple major child abuse cases, 1 was recently on the news

You seem like a busy guy, but I think the question was what did you do as a COP?

[JohnKachenmeister]

I am retired (Yay! ) from the Toledo, Ohio Police Dept.  I worked uniform patrol except for a short stint as a detective and about 5 years as an academy instructor.  In 1995 I was transfered to the Traffic Section where I worked as a Traffic Homicide Investigator.  When nobody was killing themselves, I worked radar/laser speed enforcement on the street or investigated my case load of hit and run accidents.

In other words, after 1995, I was among those people who consider being called a "Prick" to be a compliment!

I retired in May of 2001.  25 years.  That's enough fun for anybody. 

[Stonewall]

You seem like a busy guy, but I think the question was what did you do as a COP?

Yeah, I guess I posted some of the happenings of 2007 sorta to validate us DOD cops, but more so to show that military bases aren't all they're cracked up to be.  I'm positive it varies between services and by what type of bases.  No doubt that a nuke navy base would have fewer problem than an army post with an infantry division.  The nuke guys have more to lose.

To be honest, I was very shocked when I stepped foot into patrol after the academy.  I truly expected to be bored.  I took this job because it was a means for my wife and I to leave DC and have a more relaxing lifestyle; closer to family, the beach and a far less busy way of life.  I work 80 hour pay periods with a 5 on 4 off schedule (10 hour days).  Bennies are real good and while I'm making about 2/3 less pay, the cost of living somewhat balances out.  As an example, I live 6 miles (6 minutes) from work vs 22 miles (45 min to 2 hr commute).

All good though.  I've learned a lot an have had great training opportunities.  Boat school, FTO school, Breath Test Operator, patrol rifle, active shooter, vehicles in combat and more opportunities in the future.  That is, unless, Homeland Security, Blue Cross - FL, Mayo Clinic, or a local university picks me up as I've applied to all of them.

[W3ZR]

I will be starting my 6th (non consecutive) year as a Deputy Sheriff
in the County I live in (Sullivan, PA), I also work full-time currently
in the County next to mine (Lycoming, PA) as a 911 Dispatcher and
just celebrated my 20th year there.

I have heard and seen a lot, but like most of the "seasoned veterans"
will tell you, you can never say "I heard/saw it all before" as it is
amazing what new inventive situations people can and do get themselves into.

 
My ride on a particularly chilly night, like tonight !

[James Shaw]

Deputy Sheriff  - Dougherty County Sheriff's Department 1995 - 1998
1st Year at Correctional Facility as part of Emergency Response Group
2nd & 3rd Year on the Warrant Team

[KFreeman]

Three (1974-76) years as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff in Hood County, Texas. Interesting.

Regards,
Ken

[PA Guy]

30 yrs. as a CA POST Level 1 Reserve Officer in a med. sized dept in SoCal.  I spent approx. 18 yrs in patrol, 4 yrs street gang detail, 3 yrs background investigations and 5 yrs in a county multi agency auto theft task force.

[Flying Pig]

10 years total as Police Officer in So Cal and now a Deputy.

Patrol
SWAT
Field Training Officer
SWAT Instructor
Tactical-EMT
Gang/Dope Team
Helicopter Air Crew Member
Now....Pilot Trainee.

[LittleIronPilot]

Hmmmm...

Two years as a Reserve Deputy Sheriff;
Five years as a Police Officer.

Like most of you current and former LEO's I have done a bit of everything (except SWAT) it seems:
Car Patrol
Bicycle Patrol (got GREAT thighs from that one, and tripped out a dispatcher when I pulled over a car while on bicycle patrol)!
Narcotics
Sergeant

I really and truly enjoyed the job, but here in the Southeast you make diddly-squat as a cop and I got tired of make said diddly-squat. I am know the Director of Information Security at a leading Managed Security (Information not Physical) Services company and get paid well, get to be home on holidays, and do not get shot at!

I do miss it sometimes however. I am in good standing with GA POST and my last department has asked me to come back as a reservist, perhaps I will look into this year, but I am just afraid of putting all of my built-up assets on the line over some scumbag.

[Smokey]

Let's see.....
I'll have 36 years in law enforcement this coming ground hog day......(seems like my career has been like the movie )

9 years in Illinois...
Northern Ill University Police
Kendall County Sheriff
Sandwich PD (part time)
West Chicago PD

and the last 27 years in cereal land (fruit,flakes,nuts)
Los Angeles County Sheriff ...currently a sergeant.

I am also on the Board of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Assoc, Board Member for POLICE magazine, and a whole lot more stuff that my wife wishes I didn't spend so much time on.

Plus I am the law enforcement liason for the Goodyear Blimp (with 1.5 hrs logged flying it )

[Desert Dawg]

Four years AF Security Police K-9, Medically retired after twelve years as a North Texas Officer.  Ten years in K-9 and two in traffic.  Currently a K-9 Officer for a very advanced hospital security dept.

[CadetProgramGuy]

I can't hold water to any of you all.....

I work for a major hospital as a public safety officer (hospital security)

I have been called a police officer by a drunk in the ER........Doesn't count I know........

[Major Lord]

Couple of years in a reserve program, Law Enforcement trainer in Central America (Sworn,  Electronic Surveillance) two years more recently as a Orleans Parish Special Police Officer ( Hired thug for FEMA, post Katrina) 1 Year Nuclear rifle toter (post 9-11). Licensed CA P.I specializing in workplace violence and dangerously violent stalkers and crisis management. A good number of years on the other side of the house as an EMT in a  911 system. (unarmed  ;)More, but too boring to talk about. Picked up a disease in Louisiana that has taken me out of the business, so I focus on my electronics manufacturing business.

Major Lord

[Nomex Maximus]

Since you all are giving details, here are some of mine:

I worked for DuPage County Illinois (west Chicago suburbs) from 1982 to 1985... and I can't say very much positive about the organization. I have a college degree in LE from Western Illinois U and I was first in my class at PTI and I came to the job trained as an EMT and I had evidence technician skills from college - and all these are probably the sorts of reasons why I didn't fit in too well there... I might still be in LE today if it weren't for DuPage County. If I had chosen a better department (like St. Louis County, where I lived for a time) I might have stayed in. But then, if it weren't for DuPage County I would never know what the top speed of a 1982 Dodge Diplomat was (105 mph)...

I was making DUI arrests long before it was chic to do so - I was top in my department which wasn't very hard to do. I can remember my "brother officers" warning (threatening?) me that I had better not make any DUI arrests on New Year's Eve (because they didn't want to have to listen to the radio traffic). Our department was once featured on 60 Minutes... ( google "Dupage 7" or Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanine_Nicarico_murder_case ... my lieutenant was famous for coming to work drunk and for teaching recruits (not me!) to shoot cats from his moving squad car... ah the good old days!

Got out of LE a long time ago. Haven't fired or carried a gun in 22 years. Got a degree in Computer Science and have been in Defense/Avionics Software Engineering ever since.

[Laplace]

Been in Law Enforcement for 19 years.  After graduating from LSU  (Geaux Tigers!)  with Criminal Justice degree, I started off my career in New Orleans area with a sub-section of State Police.  Not the best job, but gave me a chance to go to Police Academy and get certified.  Left there for State Office of Inspector General-investigating fraud & waste in State Government.  Switched to State Department of Justice (Attorney General) in 1992 working in the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit.  We work statewide investigating Doctors, Dentists, Pharmacies, etc (anyone who provides Medicaid services) who defraud  the Program.  We also investigate any crime occurring in a facility receiving Medicaid funding - normally physical, sexual or financial abuse in Nursing or Group Homes.  I'm currently a Supervisory Special Agent, but still maintain full caseload in addition to supervisory duties. 

Great job!   I really like the challenge of working these complex healthcare fraud cases.  Job is pretty much M-F with regular hours; with the exceptions of surveillance, out of town cases and things like Hurricanes Katrina & Rita.  I have the utmost respect for the patrol officers/deputies.  I am thankful everyday (and rainy night) that my hours are semi-normal.

I do a lot of joint cases with FBI and other Federal OIGs.  So much so that FBI invited me to be their guest at Quantico for 3 months in late 2000 to attend their National Academy.  Great opportunity and experience and I reccommend it to anyone that can do it.

Interesting stories here!  Everyone stay safe and feel free to contact me if we can assist you with something.

[TeamBronx]

Started as a Patrolman (Police Officer) with NYPD in 1973.  Laid off on July 1, 1975 when NYC went broke.  So after two days of driving attended National Staff College at Maxwell. 

Became a Special Agent for US Immigration in 1977 and then in 1986 switched to US Customs as a Criminal Investigator/Air Interdiction Officer flying in the back of Black Hawks, Nomads, and Citations in South Florida, the Bahamas and Central and South America. 

Returned to New York in 1998 as the Unit Chief for the US Customs New York Aviation Unit where I supervise a half a dozen law enforcement pilots who conduct covert helicopter surveillances in the NY metropolitan area and coastal areas from Massachusetts down to Northern Virginia.   I ran the two Customs airspace protection operations of New York City in 2003, as well as airspace operations protecting a number of State of the Union Addresses, and the Airspace Protection for President Bush's First Inauguration in 2001.

We are now Customs & Border Protection Air and Marine.   But you cannot beat my job:  a mix of law enforcement & aviation.  I will reach mandatory federal law enforcement retirement age in 23 months. 

Retired from CAP in June 2003 with 35 years, but opened up a patron membership about 2 years later just to get the CAP News (now, The Volunteer).