OK, some background. In THIS thread, Zenjael posted the following (I have done some editing; the links to the original posts are in each quote):
and, in response to some other posts, we got this:
Rather than derail that thread further than it's already been... I figured I'd start a new thread about it.
First, directly to Zenjael:
I'm not going to let you get away with that accusation about the police in your area. I know too many of the cops who work your area. I work with them. I train with them. So, support your claim that "a lot of cops in my area are a little bit crooked..." Give me some sort of evidence. You won't be able to; FCPD, GMU PD, and the other agencies in the area with 2 well known exceptions (one of which was shut down yet again about 18 months ago, and is rebuilding) have excellent, deservedly so, reputations for their integrity and fairness.
By the way -- your story is in no way consistent with FCPD dispatch policies, either. If it's true, PM me the date, time and address, and I will see that it gets to the proper people's attention (even if it wasn't in Fairfax county; I have contacts throughout the region, including MPDC and several agencies in MD). Or you can report it directly HERE. FCPD will generally dispatch an officer to any call, if the caller requests one. The same is true of most agencies. Calls are prioritized, generally with crimes in progress that may involve injuries at the top and suspicious person, or traffic complaints, at the bottom. Give some examples of the police "not responding." Describe a few situations; several of us are police officers, we have at least one dispatch/communications center staff member, and even some fire fighters on the board. Maybe be can give you some insight into it.
More generally... Let's talk about what you should do if you want the cops to come help you.
First, CALL IT IN! Many of us try to be reasonably proactive, but we can't be everywhere. And we don't know your neighborhood or haunts the way you do. Even those of us who actually get out of the cruisers... And we're not mind readers or clairvoyants. We don't know what's going on if you don't tell us. Don't assume that "someone else" will make that call either. Every call taker and dispatcher I know would rather receive 5 duplicate calls about a crime in progress or other problem than none at all.
Second, be honest. If you lie or exaggerate, you may well get us there quicker -- but we may not be where we are really needed, and you put people at needless risk. Say you call in a barking dog as shots fired... you endanger people as we drive code (lights and sirens) to the call. 2 out of the last 5 officers killed (both on 4/19/2012) died in crashes responding to calls. Every year, tragically, innocent people get hurt or killed crashing with cops running lights and sirens to calls. And, if you lie, we just may do something nasty like charge you with something like obstruction of justice.
Third, give some details. Addresses are important; how else will we know where to go? And try to get the street name right; it can be a clue as to the jurisdiction. We've got some very similar sounding roads that are miles apart -- and getting it right when you talk to my dispatcher may get you transferred to the proper jurisdiction, rather than having me driving around looking for you in the wrong place. Describe people and vehicles; tags are great. If you're telling us that someone is carrying drugs or driving while suspended -- tell us how you know. It can make the difference in what we can do...
Maybe someone else can add to these?
A few weeks ago, at the same 7-11 where I stared down an attempted robbery, a fight broke out between two ghetto crowds over someone in the group having had sex with the other and both sides were trying to keep a fistfight from breaking out... badly. The store couldn't get the police to come, until I recommended they lie that the customers in the store were too scared to come out (it was a lie).... but despite trying for an hour to summon the police, none would come. I told them just to report the lie I told, and they did, and within 15 seconds a car showed up. The altercators left.
and, in response to some other posts, we got this:
A lot of cops in my area are a bit crooked, but a lot are also very good people. There are stupid laws, and good laws, either way they're laws. I feel the same about cops, and they deserve due respect, regardless of my personal inclinations toward how they act or behave. I mainly wish they would respond more often however, than they tend to do.
Rather than derail that thread further than it's already been... I figured I'd start a new thread about it.
First, directly to Zenjael:
I'm not going to let you get away with that accusation about the police in your area. I know too many of the cops who work your area. I work with them. I train with them. So, support your claim that "a lot of cops in my area are a little bit crooked..." Give me some sort of evidence. You won't be able to; FCPD, GMU PD, and the other agencies in the area with 2 well known exceptions (one of which was shut down yet again about 18 months ago, and is rebuilding) have excellent, deservedly so, reputations for their integrity and fairness.
By the way -- your story is in no way consistent with FCPD dispatch policies, either. If it's true, PM me the date, time and address, and I will see that it gets to the proper people's attention (even if it wasn't in Fairfax county; I have contacts throughout the region, including MPDC and several agencies in MD). Or you can report it directly HERE. FCPD will generally dispatch an officer to any call, if the caller requests one. The same is true of most agencies. Calls are prioritized, generally with crimes in progress that may involve injuries at the top and suspicious person, or traffic complaints, at the bottom. Give some examples of the police "not responding." Describe a few situations; several of us are police officers, we have at least one dispatch/communications center staff member, and even some fire fighters on the board. Maybe be can give you some insight into it.
More generally... Let's talk about what you should do if you want the cops to come help you.
First, CALL IT IN! Many of us try to be reasonably proactive, but we can't be everywhere. And we don't know your neighborhood or haunts the way you do. Even those of us who actually get out of the cruisers... And we're not mind readers or clairvoyants. We don't know what's going on if you don't tell us. Don't assume that "someone else" will make that call either. Every call taker and dispatcher I know would rather receive 5 duplicate calls about a crime in progress or other problem than none at all.
Second, be honest. If you lie or exaggerate, you may well get us there quicker -- but we may not be where we are really needed, and you put people at needless risk. Say you call in a barking dog as shots fired... you endanger people as we drive code (lights and sirens) to the call. 2 out of the last 5 officers killed (both on 4/19/2012) died in crashes responding to calls. Every year, tragically, innocent people get hurt or killed crashing with cops running lights and sirens to calls. And, if you lie, we just may do something nasty like charge you with something like obstruction of justice.
Third, give some details. Addresses are important; how else will we know where to go? And try to get the street name right; it can be a clue as to the jurisdiction. We've got some very similar sounding roads that are miles apart -- and getting it right when you talk to my dispatcher may get you transferred to the proper jurisdiction, rather than having me driving around looking for you in the wrong place. Describe people and vehicles; tags are great. If you're telling us that someone is carrying drugs or driving while suspended -- tell us how you know. It can make the difference in what we can do...
Maybe someone else can add to these?