My boyfriend is a cop in England, can he really be undercover for months at a time?

Question

I've been talking to an English policeman for nearly two years, now. There have been a couple of times that he had to go away for a couple of months and we couldn't talk.

I am positive that he is an officer, because I have seen his photo in the newsletter of his dept. And, I've seen him in his uniform.

I really crazy about the guy and he's never given me any reason to doubt him. But, I'm really worried as I haven't heard from him for about two months. The last time I saw him he looked dead tired and said he had to go back for a while.

Do English officers sometimes have this sort of assignment? Or am I being played? I'm an American, so I'm sure our agencies work differently.

Answer 1

As an American officer...I have to disagree with your comment that "our agencies work differently."

Very often officers who are attempting to infiltrate major crime rings will go undercover for long periods of time.

There are countless internet sources that show operations involving mob, drug, money laundering, and fraud investigations involving cases lasting over a year.

I know it's difficult to be with an officer in a relationship...but TRUST is certainly a very demanding part of such a relationship.

Many times officers can't discuss those operations for fear of being found out! This can destroy a case and result in serious injury or death of officers.

Hang in there...I'm sure he'll tell you all about it when the case is over!

Answer 2

Most English Police Forces have a Department called the Source Unit where the Officers are assigned to undercover work. Source Unit Officers will infilitrate criminal organisations in order to gather evidence and intelligence of criminal activity. The assignments last as long as the investigation takes so yes it is possible that your boyfriend is on duty in a sensitive role however, I would have expected him to make more of a statement to you about his absence so as to put your mind to rest. Obviously he cannot tell you where he is going or what he is doing but I am sure he could have said that he would be non-contactable for a while due to his work.

EDIT: Contacting his home station will not do any good either because if he is on an operation all his personal details will have been removed from the personnel screen bar his name in order to maintain operational security. Only senior officers and those who need to know will be able to access his personnel details.

My advice to you if you are in this relationship is to consider the future. Most Police Officers join the job with the intention of building a long-term career. You say you are American therefore, if it goes the distance are you going to move to the UK or are you expecting him to finish his career and move to the US? There is no middle ground. I was in a similar situation myself and I gave up the job to move overseas but most of my former colleagues made it very clear to me that if they were in my situation the job would have come first and they wouldn't have made the move.

Answer 3

You are being "played" !! - Have you actually met him in the flesh - or is this a webcam relationship ? - you obviously havent been to his place of work or know where his home is - 2 years - you would at least expect a key to his place by now... and you can pick up a police uniform from any toy store and its very easy to edit a magazine on your computer .... If you are still not convinced - call a police station - where he claims he lives near or any police station. - and ask to speak to the Duty Officer - (either a Sergeant or an Inspector ) and tell them your story....say that you are worried etc...play the tearful partner...

Answer 4

Be very suspicious, he could have contacted you at some time.

If he is a real cop it is remotely possible but if he is that keen on you he would have made some contact I am sure.

If he is a uniformed cop then no he would not have been undercover with no outside contact foe 2 months.

Get the phone number of his local station on the web and give them a call and ask to speak to him, that way you will be a little nearer answering your own question.

Answer 5

Ask to see his warrant card, that will have quite a few details on it. If you're in any doubt about the authenticity of an officer - take their name, rank and number, or as much info as you can. They may be reluctant to let you physically take the warrant card from their possession in order to note down the details, but they are obliged to supply you with information from it so you can contact the station to confirm their identity.

Answer 6

My friend is a policeman, and he sometimes goes undercover for a few weeks. He told me once, of when he first started he was undercover for just under-a-year. But, also he could have someone else. Next time you talk to him, maybe ask him?

Answer 7

undercover officers will not have their photos published anywhere, as this will link them with the police.. also uniformed officers rarely go under cover, its mostly CID or plain cloths officers.

If you think your being played.. it is most likely you are.

Good luck

Answer 8

The officer could already have a girlfriend in the place of his assignment because it is already two months.

Answer 9

Absolutely....

My siste-in-law's niece is an undercover officer (detective) in London - it can and does happen.

Calif Deputy

Answer 10

Even if he is under cover I would think that he could contact you after all you don't work constantly for months on end. The only people who can't know his identity are the criminals he is watching. I think he is dangling you on a string.