Cops and guns -- questions answered

AllieGirl · Aug 22, 2009

A fellow blogger on a writing site has offered up this information as research for writers. I hope this is the right forum to post it. Below is her:

Hello Fellow Writers,

After attending a workshop on Weapons of the Good Guys and Bad Guys this summer, I started thinking about how often writers from all genres confront various issues about law enforcement procedures, weapons, and communications in their writings. Since I have a few contacts with law enforcement, all through professional means believe it or not, I thought an interview with a police officer, in which my fellow writers could ask the questions, would be a valuable tool for your future stories.

If you are interested in participating in the interview, please submit to me a few questions you have about law enforcement — Do you know what gun model most officers use today? What exactly is the law or strategy for searching vehicles/homes/persons? What physical signs tell police that a suspect might be armed and dangerous? Do officers really eat donuts?

When writing fiction, writers still need to be accurate about the details for credibility and believability, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to ask your particular question to an actual officer of the law.

Interview with Gem County Deputy William Conger scheduled for September 24, 2009 on my blogsite. Please email all questions to me at erincole [at] live [dot] com by September 11.

Note: I will try to get everyone’s questions answered, though depending on volume, some questions may not be included in the interview.

Thanks,

Erin Cole
http://erincolelive.blogspot.com

RJK · Aug 23, 2009

Erin,
I'm told that spammers have robots that search the net looking for email addresses. It probably isn't a good idea to post yours. You can put it in your profile and anyone interested can email you that way. I'd advise that you delete your address.

Thanks for offering the words and wisdom of Deputy Conger. Can you tell us a little about him? experience, assignments, department size, that sort of thing.

Chase · Aug 23, 2009

I don’t mean to start a shouting match. I have nothing but respect for most law enforcement professionals. However, asking the average patrol cop about weaponry is like asking the average café waitress about nutrition. Some may know something about the subject, but most--if they would admit the truth of the matter--just carry it.

A police firearms instructor and armorer would be a completely different matter. For non-police concealed carry methods and materials, a person certified and experienced in personal protection courses might be the better information source.

gothicangel · Aug 23, 2009

Also depends on the country. I haven't got a clue on the rules in the US; but in the UK the ordinary cops don't. I believe only SOCO'S can.

AllieGirl · Aug 24, 2009

RJK said:
Erin,
I'm told that spammers have robots that search the net looking for email addresses. It probably isn't a good idea to post yours. You can put it in your profile and anyone interested can email you that way. I'd advise that you delete your address.

Thanks for offering the words and wisdom of Deputy Conger. Can you tell us a little about him? experience, assignments, department size, that sort of thing.

Thanks, I changed the email so it's spelled out instead. I'm not Erin, I just posted her message here. Feel free to drop her a line.

RJK · Aug 26, 2009

Chase said:
I don’t mean to start a shouting match. I have nothing but respect for most law enforcement professionals. However, asking the average patrol cop about weaponry is like asking the average café waitress about nutrition. Some may know something about the subject, but most--if they would admit the truth of the matter--just carry it.

A police firearms instructor and armorer would be a completely different matter. For non-police concealed carry methods and materials, a person certified and experienced in personal protection courses might be the better information source.

Although I agree with Chase to a degree, the average cop must know a great deal about handguns and assault weapons, just as an accountant must know about debits and credits. It is part of his job, and could make the difference between him coming home to dinner or on a slab in the morgue.
Patrol officers must know how different caliber guns will penetrate various objects, including people. They are intimately familiar with at least two models of guns, their service weapon, and their off-duty gun.
They must know how many cartridges various automatics will hold. They must know the relative accuracy of various pistols. I could go on, but I think you're getting the picture.

Chase · Aug 27, 2009

RJK said:
I could go on, but I think you're getting the picture.

And I agree with RJK's point to a degree. I know quite a few officers with competent gun knowledge. But the picture I've seen time and time again with real-life cops is the same picture we get from asking the average two-gun hunter about hunting guns.

He or she will often argue the virtues of the familiar. I'm frequently amazed at the heat behind the instistence of both and the tendancy to ridicule other opinions and practices on altogether different levels. I guess it comes from the need to believe that what you have is best.

For writers, the idea that Uncle Ralph, the deputy sheriff who hunts deer once a year, is my go-to gun guru is all too prevalent in mysteries, which (surprise!) often contains other poor research. It's evident in responses in this section.

Cops and guns -- questions answered

AllieGirl

Sin is geographical

RJK

Sheriff Bullwinkle the Poet says:

Chase

It Takes All of Us to End Racism

gothicangel

Toughen up.