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Careers: Police/finding a person.

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Expert: - 8/26/2008


Question
QUESTION: Hello:
In my story, an adult is adducted, shoved into a van after coming out of a restaurant. The police, though, are able to find the place where the person is being held. How might they be able to do this? Thanks.

ANSWER: Are you asking me how the police would be able to find where the person is being held?  Or are you asking me why the police were unable to find the place?

If it is the first scenario then a lot of it would depend on your plot and storyline which you would have to tell me.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi
No, I was asking how the police might find where they had taken someone. In the story, the badguys are angry that the captain is head of a new unit damaging their activities, so they abduct him as he comes out a restaurant and they plan a type of terrorist act. The three officers in the unit will locate where the chief is being held, and stop the attack which is to drop things from a blimp they have highjacked. (I know it's a crazy story, but its supposed to be wild. But even in a wild story or comedy, police following procedure helps)

Thanks.

The badguys want to force the captain to take the illegal substance and let him loose, hoping the press will report this so that the new unit, that have become heroes, will look bad to the public.

Answer
If the person is abducted coming out of a restaraunt I would assume that there are witnesses.  Witnesses most likely would see what kind of car the bad guys are driving.  Witnesses can write down tag numbers or remember them.  Witnesses can provide descriptions of the bad guys.  Witnesses can tell the police which way the car went and that can be helpful.  

Neighbors can be helpful by noticing suspicious activity around the house where the guy is being held.  Neighbors may already be suspicious of the people who live in the house.

But dropping things from a blimp?  Wow.

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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