OUR THIRD CLASS IN THE CITIZENS SHERIFF'S ACADEMY

[chief38]

Last night was our third evening in the Academy and they focused on Forensics. They used actual homicide cases and they actually had a recreation of the of the homicide scenes in a vehicle. We had to solve the murder. This was done after going through the forensic lab, the ballistics lab and the DNA & fingerprint Lab. A tour of the impound garage was also part of the tour. Some of the equipment they had was quite impressive to say the least and so so expensive!

We also got a look at the illicit drug storage room (man - what a stink), the confiscated firearms room and the evidence warehouse.

Our local Sheriff's department also told us their track record for solving homicides was about 85% as compared to 20% nation wide. The Detective also mentioned, yes 85% is impressive but that means 15% of the murderers are still at large and it truly seemed to have bothered him.

Even though I am quite privy to the fact we are all videoed and photographed hundreds of times a day, I did not realize there are license plate readers all over the place! I thought they were just in patrol cars. We also found out that when you carry a smart phone, they transmit your location each and every time you open up the screen. They said turning "location services" off only causes them an extra step or two but in no way "hides" your location if they want to know.

The class was great - as all have been so far and we are happy to have signed up for this. Even my Wife is really into it! So far all the Officers, civilian employees and experts we have encountered have been really professional and seem to truly be into their jobs.

BTW, the Ransom Rest machine they had to test fire guns was nothing like I have ever seen before! This was truly a super professional model and was capable of firing all kind of firearms - not just handguns. I believe they said it costs about $6K. They had a brand new 1/4" thick steel bullet stopper water tank that the guns were fired into. They said it was good for all handgun calibers and some of the smaller rifle calibers including 223/556 but they were hoping to get a larger model budgeted that will accommodate up to 50 BMG.

Forensics is super interesting - DNA is only a part of it!

 

[djohns6]

Stationary LPR cameras are nothing new . The town where I live just installed some recently and they have made a handful of arrests and vehicle recoveries already .

 

[Onomea]

Chief, you seem to have a really effective sheriff's department. Well funded, too. That they can afford to run these classes for their community, and that they do, is impressive.

Sounds like a great program, and a great way to keep the community involved and supportive.

I'd guess yours is a fairly economically successful community, with some fairly enlightened local political and law enforcement leadership.

You are fortunate to live where you do!

 

[chief38]

Chief, you seem to have a really effective sheriff's department. Well funded, too. That they can afford to run these classes for their community, and that they do, is impressive.

Sounds like a great program, and a great way to keep the community involved and supportive.

I'd guess yours is a fairly economically successful community, with some fairly enlightened local political and law enforcement leadership.

You are fortunate to live where you do!

We are in Class #57 and they give two classes per year (Spring & Fall) so they have apparently been doing this 28 1/2 years so far - each class is completely full.

Yes, I am fortunate to live in a very nice area. Honestly, after two years of living here I have never had so many positive interactions with the Local LE. Since I am a law abiding citizen, I guess I have only seen the good side though - lol. Not like where we used to live! Almost all of the Officers live in the County and they do not want to see our County fall into the dregs of society either. I am sure there are a few bad apples here too, but not many from what I can tell so far.

The only regret I have is it took 5 years too long for me to "get outta Dodge" and move here. That said, I am here now.

 

[Yaworski]

We also found out that when you carry a smart phone, they transmit your location each and every time you open up the screen.

I believe that they transmit your location continuously. That's how you get notifications from stores as you walk past them.

 

[LVSteve]

What the OP says about cameras and ANPR means that the creeping death of the surveillance society as practiced in the UK is getting a hold here.

 

[Yaworski]

What the OP says about cameras and ANPR means that the creeping death of the surveillance society as practiced in the UK is getting a hold here.

It's been going on for years.

 

[Bald1]

My wife and I watch a lot of who done it shows on ID channel and the like. With cameras DNA and criminals to dumb to leave their cell phone at home it’s a wonder any crime goes unsolved. Even ONstar plays a role .

 

[LVSteve]

It's been going on for years.

As a recent visitor to the UK, take it from me that the US isn't as remotely covered.

 

[S42N8]

As a recent visitor to the UK, take it from me that the US isn't as remotely covered.

And yet, the incremental creep of the nanny state is unabated.

 

[Golddollar]

Even though I am quite privy to the fact we are all videoed and photographed hundreds of times a day, I did not realize there are license plate readers all over the place! I thought they were just in patrol cars.

QUOTE]

I wonder how many LE people bust up laughing when they see the Batmobile and Bat-Signal license plates on my cars.

 

[Old 44 Guy]

That is one reason I use my old flip phone.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Many large retailers are using license plate readers and facial recognition to identify repeat shoplifters and to notify management of their presence in the parking lot and store.

 

[Racer X]

Many large retailers are using license plate readers and facial recognition to identify repeat shoplifters and to notify management of their presence in the parking lot and store.

I bet bg casinos do it for cheaters and whales too

 

[Yaworski]

That is one reason I use my old flip phone.

T-Mobile stopped supporting my old flip phone. It was 3G (I think) and they stopped that. The new flip phones aren't like the old ones, they have Wi-Fi blah, blah.

I liked the flip phone. To answer a call, open it. To end a call, close it. No need to look at it. I miss my tiny flip phone.

 

[chief38]

Well like they say...... "you can run, but you can't hide". I suppose there are still some rural parts of the Country that doesn't have the resources for all the sophisticated surveillance equipment, but on the other hand they probably don't really need it either.

Big brother is here to stay! Unfortunately.

 

[Kiwi cop]

What the OP says about cameras and ANPR means that the creeping death of the surveillance society as practiced in the UK is getting a hold here.

It is worse than you can imagine.

A few years ago we had a training day featuring serious crash investigators and what technology they use. We were warned never to bluetooth our personal phones into patrol or rental cars.

They have had a program that, for several years, they can plug into the vehicles computer system and read every text, phone call, web site visited by your blue-toothed phone phone, and if it is linked to you home computer they can also get most of that history too. Pretty 1984ish.

I much prefer to use apple play in those cars I drive infrequently. I still bluetooth to my assigned patrol car, but then I'm careful about where I go in the interweb.

 

[SMSgt]

Everyone knows the butler did it.

 

[jeffrefrig]

This is kind of along the subject matter, but I heard the Chicago Mayor is eliminating the ShotSpotter program because the devices are used in bad neighborhoods so the mayor is calling "foul." Unfair!
There was one Police Academy movie in that series called something like C.O.P.: Citizens On Patrol. Now I don't want to see a bunch of local Allegheny County citizens with their Junior G-Man badges running around Pittsburgh arresting people for smoking pot, but the training sounds interesting.