Expert: Jim Pastore - 8/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Jim,
What are the practical differences between a police detective and a regular police officer you'd see on the street? Does the detective still carry a gun, get a police scanner, get called to live crime scenes, etc.? Does a police detective often work right in the police station among other officers or do the detectives have their own, private offices? If they work in the station, do they get their own room there or do they get a cubicle or what? Thanks!

ANSWER: Alex,

   Usually a Detective is considered a promotion up from a Patrolman. Most Departments will give a Det. a unmarked take home car, they will still carry a gun, radio, handcuffs ect. The majority of larger Departments have an open room for their Detectives with cubicles of some sore. the idea behind that is so they can share information more easily. And yes they work out of the station. Hope this answers your question.

Jim

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

QUESTION: Great Jim, thanks! A couple more questions-- what exactly happens to someone who is arrested as a suspect in a crime? As in, they're taken to the police car, and... what? Thrown in a cell for a little while? Taken somewhere to get fingerprints, etc.? Where are they taken? Where are they kept? Who talks to them and what would they talk about? Do they immediately go into an interrogation process, and who interrogates them?
Thanks!

ANSWER: Once a suspect is arrested they are given their marinda rights then transported to the police station (jail) for the booking procedure, which would include fingerprints ect. It all depends on the circumstances of the crime and arrest as to when they will be interrogated. Usually prior to the actual arrest the arresting officer will ask some questions to be sure he has probable cause to make the arrest. Once the person is booked into jail they then have an opportunity to make a phone call and are usually given a chance to make bond. That all depends on the crime. Sometimes for a felony the bond must be set by a judge on the next court day. The detective who is assigned to the case will usually do the more lengthy interrogation at the station. They will normally ask questions surrounding the crime the person is suspected of committing. Hope this helped somewhat.

Jim

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

QUESTION: Excellent, this is fantastic... one final question (until I think of another one!)
If evidence is collected, specifically say a weapon, where would it be kept? At the station? Who would hang on to it until it got to wherever it would be kept, and how would it be guarded/protected?
Thanks a ton.

Answer
Any evidence would be kept at the Police evidence room, which is located at the station. It has to be signed in by the person placing it there and then signed out by whomever takes it out, for example court ect. There is usually a detective or officer that has responsibility for the evidence room and not just any officer can get in there.

Jim