In today’s politically charged environment, sharing my personal experiences with law enforcement feels pertinent. My perspective is shaped by a range of interactions, from wearing a Sheriff Deputy Uniform as a volunteer cadet to encounters as a regular citizen. I want to recount these formative experiences, discuss interactions with the public and police, and share some insights gained along the way.
My journey began in high school at Milton High School, Florida, which offered a Sheriff’s cadet volunteer program sponsored by the school’s resource officer. Aspiring to law school at the time, I believed this program would offer valuable firsthand experience within the legal system. This was the motivation I conveyed to the officer when applying to join the cadet program.
Upon acceptance, I was issued a sheriff deputy uniform, consisting of a shirt and pants. I was responsible for providing my own shoes and belt to complete the official look. During football games, my equipment expanded to include a radio, pepper spray (accompanied by strict instructions for non-use), and a substantial Maglite flashlight (also with explicit instructions against using it as a physical weapon).
Our duties as volunteer cadets were diverse and rotated regularly. These included:
- Guarding the gate restricting public access to certain areas.
- Patrolling the perimeter fence surrounding the stadium.
- Ensuring spectator safety by preventing individuals from climbing the chain-link fence at the top of the stands – a fall from which could have been fatal.
- Maintaining a visible presence by walking through the crowds.
- Using the radio to contact the resource officer when encountering uncooperative individuals, as we lacked any arresting authority (a fact we did not disclose to the public).
- In situations involving disturbances or potential crimes, the resource officer explicitly instructed us against physically detaining anyone. While I never felt compelled to make a citizen’s arrest, I independently researched citizen’s arrest laws to be well-informed.
Beyond football games, our volunteer work extended to other community events, such as taking tickets at the county fair. I even took a deputy’s oath to affirm my commitment to the responsibilities, although, as a volunteer, I received no financial compensation for my service; it was purely community service.
Encounters with the General Public While in Uniform
The most disheartening aspect of this volunteer experience was the treatment I received from some members of the public while wearing the sheriff deputy uniform. Despite my official-looking attire, the deputy’s oath I had taken, and the fact that I was an unpaid volunteer, some individuals were surprisingly disrespectful:
- They derisively called me “rent-a-cop,” seemingly dismissing the legitimacy of my role and uniform.
- I was labeled a “jack-booted thug,” despite wearing standard black dress shoes and consistently addressing them with utmost politeness, using “sir,” “ma’am,” “please,” and “thank you.”
- Repeatedly, I had to ask people to get off the fence in the stands, only to have them immediately return after I walked away, necessitating radioing the resource officer for assistance. The fence was clearly a safety hazard, and I hope the school has since implemented more effective preventative measures.
- I was even accused of being “racist” if anyone perceived the slightest differential treatment, even though I was diligently striving to treat everyone identically, no matter how tiring it became to repeatedly explain the safety concerns regarding the fence.
These negative encounters, thankfully, were not the norm. They were infrequent, perhaps even rare. Conversely, many members of the public were very kind and appreciative, particularly those who knew me personally. Throughout my time as a volunteer cadet, I never had to resort to physical engagement with anyone.
Encounters with Police When Not in Uniform
My experiences with law enforcement extended beyond my volunteer cadet days and included numerous encounters while not wearing a sheriff deputy uniform. I have been pulled over for minor speeding infractions more times than I’d like to admit, sometimes in areas that felt suspiciously like speed traps. I have been stopped and questioned simply for being parked on the side of the road because someone deemed my presence suspicious. I have also been frisked and searched on occasion.
In every instance, I maintained full cooperation, addressing officers as “sir” or “ma’am,” understanding that an officer having a bad day could significantly impact mine. I consciously chose not to assert my rights aggressively, become confrontational with phrases like “Am I being detained?!”, or resort to insults. Nor have I ever attempted to leverage my volunteer experience as a Sheriff’s Cadet to try and avoid consequences.
While I have experienced rudeness from police officers, I have never been forcibly removed from my vehicle, handcuffed unnecessarily, or physically harmed or bruised by an officer. I have also never been arrested or spent time in a jail cell, although I have family and friends who have had such experiences.
What’s Missing From the Narrative?
When I hear accounts of negative experiences with the police, I must confess to a degree of bias. My immediate thought is often: what part of the story is being omitted?
Of course, when I hear about tragic events like no-knock raids gone wrong, I recognize pure victimization. However, I tend to be skeptical of narratives that heavily emphasize victimization while lacking crucial context.
I understand that law enforcement officers are trained to use varying degrees of force, including deadly or proportional force, as required by a situation. The legal system often grants them significant leeway in judging these situations retrospectively in court.
When individuals are engaged in questionable activities in inappropriate locations and subsequently complain about their treatment by law enforcement, my reaction is often, “What did you expect? Concierge service from the Four Seasons?”
While I lack formal law enforcement training and access to their best practices, I have close relationships with numerous family friends, classmates, and acquaintances who work in law enforcement. Without exception, these individuals have been empathetic, kind, and generous people in my personal experience. It is genuinely baffling to me how a law enforcement officer could accumulate numerous legitimate complaints and still retain their position. From a purely logical standpoint, particularly in non-unionized environments, such an officer should be terminated swiftly before a serious incident occurs.
Some Practical Advice
Ultimately, people are people. They desire respect, clear explanations, and to be treated as adults. A police officer’s badge can make them a target, and they are constantly evaluating situations, often under pressure. They may encounter desperate individuals capable of resorting to violence with improvised weapons or attempting to seize an officer’s firearm if given the slightest opportunity.
It’s crucial to remember that you have some influence over how an interaction with law enforcement unfolds. When engaging with a police officer, prioritize physical cooperation to the best of your ability. Employ your best manners, regardless of the situation, and generally refrain from excessive talking. Stay calm, aim for a warm, friendly, and polite demeanor, and follow the officer’s instructions. If they appear agitated, angry, or anxious, your calm and cooperative behavior can signal that you are not a threat and help de-escalate the situation.
Conversely, physical non-cooperation can be misinterpreted as dangerous, potentially leading to an escalation of force. Once physical force is introduced, the situation has deteriorated significantly, leaving you with limited recourse, even with potential reforms emerging from the current political climate. The officer might genuinely believe they have apprehended a dangerous criminal.
Conclusion
These are the personal guidelines I adhere to, and they have served me well over the years, shaping my current perspective. While I cannot guarantee a pleasant encounter with law enforcement every time, these principles significantly increase the likelihood of a positive interaction. You might recognize this as practical wisdom, and if so, I hope it proves beneficial to you and your loved ones. Please feel free to share these insights.
This advice is intended to be preventative and proactive. It’s never too late to adopt these principles, but please share them with the intention of helping others, not to provoke or upset anyone. You may strongly disagree with certain points, which is your prerogative. However, I sincerely hope that such disagreement does not lead to regrettable outcomes for you.
