3 answers
Lucas
Student
Solon, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
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What is the most peculiar problem you have faced while working in law enforcement?
I’m a senior in high school right now and I would love to get into law enforcement after I graduate.
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3 answers
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1831
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Lucas,
Law enforcement will give you all kinds of wild and peculiar calls to handle, leaving you with lots of stories to tell, well into your retirement years. They range from the simple to the totally absurd.
For example, I once pulled over a car being driven by a lady. Before I walked up to the car, she was hurriedly fixing her make-up. When I got to the window the first thing she said was, "Darn, it's a lady cop."
There was the WW-2 veteran who fell on the escalator, seriously injuring his arm, causing it to bleed profusely. Bystanders were applying first aid. I looked around and found a chair for him to sit on. When I offered him the chair he said in a fiesty Veteran voice, "lady, ain't nothing wrong with my feet. It's my arm!"
Then there are all the excuses people give for violating traffic laws. I think my favorite was the guy who didn't want to stop at a red light because he had brand new (expensive) tires, and didn't want to wear them down.
My favorite arrest was a woman who was trying to reclaim custody of her son. She had been awarded custody in the divorce, but, by agreement, he had been living with his Dad for several years. Now she suddenly wanted to uproot his life. After talking with the boy, a teenager, I learned that when he had lived with Mom, she was frequently moving and causing him to change schools. I then went back and talked to Mom. She got mad at something I said (a law enforcement skill!) and took a swing at me. That allowed me to arrest her and let the boy go with his Dad. Otherwise, I would have had to let him go with her.
Then there was the guy who flew in after leaving his truck parked several days in the airport parking lot. A swarm of bees had taken up residence on the tailgate of the truck. I called the fire dept and they didn't want to disturb them, instructing him to go ahead and drive it and maybe they would leave. That didn't work, but, now the problem was no longer located in our jurisdiction. (another law enforcement "skill.")
I can't really think of anything peculiar, but, hope these at least made you chuckle!
I hope you continue to pursue your interest in criminal justice - best of luck to you!
Kim
Law enforcement will give you all kinds of wild and peculiar calls to handle, leaving you with lots of stories to tell, well into your retirement years. They range from the simple to the totally absurd.
For example, I once pulled over a car being driven by a lady. Before I walked up to the car, she was hurriedly fixing her make-up. When I got to the window the first thing she said was, "Darn, it's a lady cop."
There was the WW-2 veteran who fell on the escalator, seriously injuring his arm, causing it to bleed profusely. Bystanders were applying first aid. I looked around and found a chair for him to sit on. When I offered him the chair he said in a fiesty Veteran voice, "lady, ain't nothing wrong with my feet. It's my arm!"
Then there are all the excuses people give for violating traffic laws. I think my favorite was the guy who didn't want to stop at a red light because he had brand new (expensive) tires, and didn't want to wear them down.
My favorite arrest was a woman who was trying to reclaim custody of her son. She had been awarded custody in the divorce, but, by agreement, he had been living with his Dad for several years. Now she suddenly wanted to uproot his life. After talking with the boy, a teenager, I learned that when he had lived with Mom, she was frequently moving and causing him to change schools. I then went back and talked to Mom. She got mad at something I said (a law enforcement skill!) and took a swing at me. That allowed me to arrest her and let the boy go with his Dad. Otherwise, I would have had to let him go with her.
Then there was the guy who flew in after leaving his truck parked several days in the airport parking lot. A swarm of bees had taken up residence on the tailgate of the truck. I called the fire dept and they didn't want to disturb them, instructing him to go ahead and drive it and maybe they would leave. That didn't work, but, now the problem was no longer located in our jurisdiction. (another law enforcement "skill.")
I can't really think of anything peculiar, but, hope these at least made you chuckle!
I hope you continue to pursue your interest in criminal justice - best of luck to you!
Kim
Andras Marton
Engineering
2
Answers
Boerne, Texas
Updated
Andras’s Answer
Hey Lucas,
That's a really great question. With a law enforcement career, you will often find yourself in fast moving, dynamic situations that require you to think on your feet. Being able to adapt to what's unfolding in front of you in a professional manner will play a big part of how those events play out.
As far as peculiar problems I have faced, a lot of it is managing human emotions to have the desired outcome. Early in my career as a police officer, I was posted to provide assistance during an incident where a person barricaded themselves in their home with explosives. The street was evacuated, however a resident that had been evacuated left their dog in their home. As the lockdown carried on over a number of days, their concern for the dog grew and myself and a colleague were sent in to retrieve the owner's dog from their home, a few doors down from where the person was.
Other examples I can share are those situations where I had to deal with a lot of emotions from those who were involved with an incident and trying to maintain my own composure as well as manage their emotions.
I hope the above examples help and good luck as you pursue your career!
That's a really great question. With a law enforcement career, you will often find yourself in fast moving, dynamic situations that require you to think on your feet. Being able to adapt to what's unfolding in front of you in a professional manner will play a big part of how those events play out.
As far as peculiar problems I have faced, a lot of it is managing human emotions to have the desired outcome. Early in my career as a police officer, I was posted to provide assistance during an incident where a person barricaded themselves in their home with explosives. The street was evacuated, however a resident that had been evacuated left their dog in their home. As the lockdown carried on over a number of days, their concern for the dog grew and myself and a colleague were sent in to retrieve the owner's dog from their home, a few doors down from where the person was.
Other examples I can share are those situations where I had to deal with a lot of emotions from those who were involved with an incident and trying to maintain my own composure as well as manage their emotions.
I hope the above examples help and good luck as you pursue your career!
Gregory Nevano
Special Agent
11
Answers
Fairfax Station, Virginia
Updated
Gregory’s Answer
Working in law enforcement takes a lot of dedication and family support. Depending on the type of law enforcement work you do, you could be away from your family for many days/weeks/months while working on a case. This can prove challenging, however it is also rewarding, especially when you are able to uphold public safety and national security. Best of luck!