Careers: Police/arrest scenario

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Expert: - 3/9/2009


Question
QUESTION: Dear Commander Wagoner,

I have an unusual question regarding a screenplay that I'm writing, and I wanted to consult with you for the sake of authenticity. Please let me know if you find the following scenario realistic. Thank you!

A man is arrested by the police for a senseless crime (e.g., throwing a stone at a police cruiser). When he is processed into the system, it turns out that he was released from prison a few days before, after 27 years inside, and the purpose of his crime was to return to prison, because he is unable or unwilling to cope with the outside world. The police captain interrogates him and chooses not to press charges, in order to help the person rehabilitate rather than get locked up again. The captain takes personal interest in the ex-con and tries to help him find a relative, but the computer search through public records indicates that the relative passed away a decade before - but had a child of which the ex-con didn't know.

Does the scenario strike you as believable? Would you recommend changing anything for the sake of authenticity? Can the police find such records in their systems, and is it likely that the captain would be the one handling the ex-con?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!

ANSWER: Hi Natalie,

What you describe happens all the time. Your scenario is not only believable, but something that is done quite often.

Hope that answers your question.. good luck on the SP..

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

QUESTION: Thank you for your fast and excellent response. I have another question regarding the same story: how would the police go about obtaining a testimony from a child (9 y.o.) who may have information that can help a crime investigation? Is it likely that the child and his guardian will be asked to come to the station and testify?
THANK YOU!

Answer
Hi AGain NAtalie,

We question children in a very special way. Its done by people that specialize in that. They usally do it in a place that the child feels comfortable. COUld be home, the ploice station, out in a park somewhere.

Its done very carefully as childrens ideas of right ahd wrong sometimes are different than ours.

Here is a online book about it: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=101435106


Good luck

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Chris Wagoner

Expertise

I have been a police officer for 30+ years! I am the Police Academy Commander at the Santa Fe College, Institute of Public Safety in Gainesville Florida It is a full service Law Enforcement and Corrections training facility. I can answer most questions concerning law enforcement procedures, law enforcement training and general questions about law enforcment. I can also answer questions about becoming a law enfocement officer. I have a booklet and web page I have written that answers many questions about how to become a police officer called "So you want to be a cop (police Officer) in Florida?", which is free, Google it.. All you have to do is ask. I teach the following subjects: RADAR/LASER, Law Enforcement Driving, Law Enforcement Firearms and Patrol Techniques, Officer Safety, WMD's for Patrol Officers, Application of Law, Communications skills, Dealing with the Mentally and physically handicapped, and many more subjects. I have worked as a subject matter expert for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and helped to write the police curriculum for the State of Florida. I like answering questions about how to become a police officer, and questions about why did an officer do this or that type questions. I also like answering any questions you may have about police work in general. I do not mind helping with homework questions or trying to answer your questions about legal subjects that I have knowledge of. You will never know the answer until you ask! If you do ask a question, PLEASE take the time to at least rate the answer. I do not get paid to answer these questions and do it on my own time. If you ask, please rate it when I answer. Thanks!!! If its a question about becoming a police officer, it may be answered here: http://sites.google.com/site/flaleohelp/ My "hobby" website - http://www.youtube.com/user/3rdID8487 Military Videos on YouTube and Facebook!!

Experience

I am a 30+ year veteran police officer, I am currently the Police Academy Commander of an Academy in North FLorida. I have been training police officers since 1993 and have trained them in all aspects of law enforcement, including firearms, Driving and legal subjects including patrol techniques and others and training all over the world. I have trained over 5000 officers worldwide in the last 16 years of training.

Publications
I am a published author in Accident Investigation from the University of North Florida, Institute of Police Technology and Management. Also have written and published on the Internet, "So You Want to be a Cop (Police Officer) in Florida?" you can Google it..

Education/Credentials
I have 2 degrees, in Criminal Justice.

Awards and Honors
Phi Theta Kappa, plus 50+ Departmental Awards over the years. FBI Directors award for assisting in a Nationwide investigation into Child pornography.

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