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Careers: Police/Followup re: amnesiac scenario

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Expert: - 1/8/2004


Question
>>>>>
I doubt if the police are going to find a man laying in a field who doesnt know his name and then simply release him to a stranger who happens along. Too risky. Maybe in some small rural town where things are slow but certainly not in any city or town where the police know the law and are professional.
<<<<<<

Well, the man actually was "found" by the person that offerred him a room, and then she helped him get to the police station so he could be identified.

Also, in a past response you said:
>>>>> No...I doubt if the police are going to let a person loose who doesnt know how he is. That would expose the police to a tremendous liability. So anywhere but a big city I would think that the police would have the person in protective custody and not let him check into some motel.
<<<<<

"anywhere but a big city"? Is that because they're too busy/too full, or what? And, if in a big city they would not put the person in protective custody, what is the alternative course of action?

Thank you again.

Answer
In a big city there are litteraly thousands of calls for service and the police are very busy. Also there are mentally ill and homeless people all over the place and the police would be less inclined to take someone into custody to have his mental health deterimined in a big city.  In a smaller juristiction the police might be more inclined to help a person like this.

Careers: Police

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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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