Do city police and state police work well together?

Question

How do they help or hurt the other, or are they pretty much on the same page? Grant it, I understand their duties are the same as far as upholding the law. I only wonder if they conflict at all in the halls of courthouses or something like that...anything...because one works at the city level and the other works at state level? I hope you understand what I'm asking. Thanks!

*Nephew...an aspiring policeman.

Answer 1

They should, but, yeah, politics come into play sometimes.

Answer 2

I can’t speak for how it works in all states but in Connecticut the State Troopers stay pretty much on the major state highways. There are resident State Troopers for a couple of small towns that do not have a police force and I would image that they work closely with the surrounding departments.
In the town where I am an officer we have a state highway that passes through the town and if there is an accident one of our officers will go up onto the highway and stand by until the state police arrive but otherwise there is little contact with troopers.
However, in the event of a major crime, such as a homicide smaller department like the one I work for will call in the State Police Major Crime Squad to process the scene. They have much more sophisticated equipment and the manpower to do these types of investigations. The police department will assist the State Police (taking to neighbors, taking statements) but it pretty much becomes their investigation.
I hope this answers your question.

Answer 3

Where I worked at a large PD in OH, I never saw any discord between the different agencies. They were always respectful of each other and many had become friends, which is the way it should be. They understand their boundaries and how to work with each other and not step into someone else's areas. It's called being an "adult" ~ not that there aren't some who still act like children but they are rare and many times end up getting in trouble of some kind.

In Ohio, the State Troopers have jurisdiction anywhere in the state but they understand the cities and counties have their jurisdictions so they mostly are involved with traffic but will back up other departments when needed. Thus, they have the right to arrest anyone who is breaking the law regardless of where the offense occurs.

Most of the time, though, they will hold the suspect until an officer from that jurisdiction arrives and takes them into custody and they investigate and follow through with charges and the CA will supboena the Trooper into court for his/her testimony.

Same thing goes for the county where I lived. They were always there to back up the city officers and vice versa. It doesn't matter what department they work for, their blood all runs blue :)

One has to remember, too, that when people go through the Police Academy, that is "quasi-military" training they go through so just like in the military, they are taught to respect those in authority (yes sir / no sir) and those higher in the chain-of-command are not going to tolerate attitudes from anyone without dressing that person down. It doesn't matter which department they work on, respect is always shown for the other. They know and understand what team work is all about.

I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule but it wasn't something I saw or heard about often, if at all, and I worked there for 25 years.

Good luck in your quest to be one of the finest in the land. Remember to always be honest and to treat others with respect, even those that don't always deserve it and you should go far.

Answer 4

Around here, (Kentucky) the individual officers get along and work fine together. The problems come when there's friction between the sheriff and the chief or captain. It's usually involving politics of some sort. The guys that function as line officers don't let departmental politics get in the way of helping one another. We're all doing basically the same job no matter if we happen to be county, city or state.

Answer 5

I live in a small town with a police force. When something big happens, the State Highway Patrol comes in and backs them up.

Not as often, but if there is a bad accident on the freeway (out of city limits) the local police will coordinate with the highway patrol.

My guess is that in many areas local and state police coordinate well together. And there are probably areas where egos or politics interfere with the different police agencies working together.

Answer 6

The State Police? In most places that usually refers to State Troopers which only handle offenses on highways. The Texas Rangers is the only other state law enforcement organization I can think of.

Some states extend their major population centers police authority over the entire state. I know this is the case in Nebraska with both Lincoln and Omaha. This is due to the number of farmers and ranchers that, in the past, would only come to the major cities to sell livestock and crops once or twice a year.

As for them cooperating; normally they do fine together.

Answer 7

It's dependant on your location. Around here the brass (upper management) do not get a long for crap. Out on the street we are hand in hand, even if it means an *** chewing later for being somewhere you were not suppsoed to be when an officer calls for help.

I personally get along great with everyone, with the exception of a few local PD guys because I have lost my trust in them for shady behavior to say the least.

However, we are people and at times get pissy and moody. That is when you see juristiction come into play. I typically try to stay out of the PD's business but if they are totally screwing something up I have the authority to boot em and take over the case.

Answer 8

Here in Montana they work well together .We have State police-Sheriffs office and city police all working together to keep the peace.Some more populated states the departments fight for the glory but here they all share for the better of the people.

Answer 9

I don't know about state and city, but I know that city and county don't get along very well. It's actually kind of humorous to watch an off duty city officer get pulled over by county when there's really no cause (aside from say, not using thier turn signals... but what officer does use thier signals anymore?)

Answer 10

I get along great with all the other agency's officers around my city, including the CHPies.

Answer 11

I always got along with our state police (CHP), we are all working towards the same goal. Same with the Feds; people sometimes get territorial and allow their egos to get in the way, but we all have a function and are supposed to function together.
Best of luck to your nephew!