I just do not understand police in America

[Ian Gills]

In England, it's easy. There is the police, they drive cars, and they can arrest you.

In America, it's a lot more tricky. There's State Troopers, county police, town police, metro police, park police, the sheriff, the FBI, the CIA and a whole lot more. And they all drive cars with flashing lights on top.

So who does what, and what can they do to me?

Put another way, if I drive by one of these guys in a car and give them the Bird which ones can chase me and arrest me?

A State Trooper?

A State Trooper who happens to be out of State?

A County Sheriff?

The Park Police?

I just don't get it. Which ones could someone Bird and where?

[jimbo]

There is kindergarden police, university police, shopping center police, etc.

Being a free country, you can flip a bird to any officer if you feel like it. Not against the law. But if for any reason, they tell you to pull over and show ID, just freaking do it! Cooperate with the police, and you will never go wrong. There are tons of people sitting in the county hoosegow because they thought is was ok to scuffle, or refuse to ID themselves, etc. "checking people out" is how cops find bad guys. If you are not a bad guy, just suck up your pride and you will be on your way!

Don't go to places where bad things happen, and bad things won't happen to you! ( I have been down some dark alleys in Olongapo and Pattya Beach. That doesn't count!)

I am 65 and have never been rousted by the cops for any reason. I don't act up in public, don't go out after dark, etc! Remember, nothing good ever happens after midnight!

[Ian Gills]

So any of these can ID me, anywhere?



I thought they were a lot nicer here.

[frenchie]

City of London police, Metropolitan police force, British transport Police; various Parks in the city have their own constabularies... then there's MI5 & MI6.



I'm sorry, what was the question again?

[Ian Gills]

I was just wondering whether there were any differences. There are just so many types here all doing similar things...driving around. Different uniforms, different cars. Different hair cuts (state troopers all have the same one). It really is quite strange.

[frenchie]

So any of these can ID me, anywhere?

Dude, this is America. They can ask you to identity yourself. But without reasonable suspicion of a crime being committed or about to be committed, they can't demand it.

[Ian Gills]

Ah, I see.

Does that mean (and I am being serious) that you need to carry an ID, like a driving license, at all times, even if not driving?

Or will a spoken name and address suffice, should an officer ask?

[frenchie]

This isn't Europe - there's no law that says you have to carry ID.

Spoken name & number & such is fine. They'll run it through the computer, maybe ask you a couple of questions to prove you're who you say you are (what's your address, what's your birthday, something like that).

Note that I'm just talking about, walking down the street, here. You want to go into a bar, you need ID. You want to go into any Federal Building, you need ID. You want to go into some doorman buildings in NYC, you need to show picture ID. And so on.

[Ian Gills]

Seems fair enough. But in England you do not need to have a driving licence on your person to drive.

I have yet to have an encounter with the police here. Not even a speeding ticket in four years, hence all the questions.

That's because I was required to be taught to drive.

With an instructor for ten weeks.

I enjoyed my driving test here though. A drive round the block in a hire car. Freedom...to damage someone and yourself.

[Scuba_Dave]

I've had some run-ins in my younger days
Went to Court after out running a Mustang 5.0...that was a cop
Speeds in excess of 100mph
They read it off exactly as it had happened
The officer never turned his lights on (hidden in grille) until the end ( I was doing 55)
At which point I pulled over
The judge threw it out...since up to that point he could have been some nut

I imagine if you are driving & refuse to show ID you then have a problem

[Ian Gills]

Scuba Dave is da dude. Man!


You can just make out the Police Mustang in the distance.

[Scuba_Dave]

So you saw my '66 Mustang

Actually I outran them on my MC

[Thatguy]

I have heard that the color of the signs and backgrounds you see along the road determines what legal people have jurisdiction in what area.

I have also heard of two cops who followed a "foreign-looking" young adult [who happened to be a law student] in his car. He got out of his car and was walking when the first cop demanded ID.
The student said, "Your choice is to arrest me now or leave me alone."
The second cop told the first one to "Let it go" and both cops left.
Kinda' makes ya' wonder. . .

[Cass]

Cops can hold you for 48 Hrs. if you don't provide them your name....but at the end of 48 hrs. they have to charge you with something or release yopu...

[frenchie]

That depends on the State.