Expert: Dick Rogers - 9/23/2005

Question
Hello, Mr. Rogers -

I'm doing some research on police officers (specifically, NYPD) who moonlight as bodyguards.  My questions are fairly general, so please bear with me.  Basically, I'd just like to know what happens if one of these off-duty officers is injured while working as a bodyguard?  Would they be covered by their Department's insurance?  

Also, let's say you're bodyguarding a client, and you see them doing something either illegal or immoral/unethical.  Are you required to intervene as a cop, or are you required to "keep your mouth shut" because the person in question is paying you to be their bodyguard, not a civil servant?

Last question(s): It seems to me that rookie officers are partnered with more experienced cops.  But generally speaking, at what point are you no longer considered a rookie?  Would it be unusual for two officers who each had only 2 or 3 years of experience to be teamed up?  Why or why not?

I'm assuming that things vary from one city to another, but any insight you can give me would be extremely helpful.  No detail's too small!

Thanks in advance.

Eric Haywood

Answer
Eric, let's get one thing straight from the outset...I am totally against cops working as you described...it can only lead to trouble at one time or another.   That said, If a body guard is injured while working for a client, he would not be covered by the officer's health plan if the truth of how he was injured is known.  As for witnessing a crime commited by the client...you can see now why I think the whole idea sucks.  He could be censured for not taking action, again, if the truth be known.  Many times the truth is dressed up and made to look like something else...injured officer hobbles to work and pretends to fall down the stairs...or he/she steadfastly denies observing a crime commited by his client.
    As for rookie officers being assigned to more experienced officers...routine business...the rookie is set free after about a year or when it appears that he/she handles themselves well and seem to have their shit together.  It would not be terribly unusual for officers with 3 years experience to be teamed together but it is not the norm...they are a bit ill seasoned.  Cheers.