are cops allowed to be social?

Question

are cops allowed to just stop by for a friendly visit when ever they choose to, i have even said to them :are u bored?' and the would say yes. sometimes staying for an hour at a time, what about my privacy rights or my reputation which is now I am imbarrassed to go outside, it seem at time they were always here. what can be done about it? they have stopped now because he stopped by to tell me he was a
not on patrol anymore but did stop by a couple weeks ago to intrduce me to the new cop on patrol

Answer 1

Cops are allowed to be social and they should be. It is good for them to be emotionally involved with the community they protect. They need to know who they can trust and want to know what is going on to better protect you and the community at large. They however should not be spending excessive amounts of time in one place. Unless it is outside of work it should be kept to a more professional manner a quick check in on whats going on and a little bit of idle chatter. As for what can be done about it just let them know politely that you feel uncomfortable with they spend a large amount of time where you are at.

Answer 2

If this is a friend of yours then by all means you should have spoken up and let him know you were not comfortable with him stopping by while on duty. Quite honestly, from all I've heard, it can be a boring job at times. My dad used to stop by the house to have his lunch on a daily basis - and it seems just as he got his sandwich made he got a call out. When my boyfriend was on regular road patrol, there were a couple of gas stations he'd stop by and visit and that sort of thing. Actually, most cops I know in various areas do this. And how would this embarass you and hurt your reputation? I fail to see that unless you're living on the wrong side of the law.

Answer 3

Depends on the department. There are no laws against it, but there may be department policies. When I first started in Law Enforcement, I worked in a tiny town and I spent most of my day talking to people. Of course, I didn't go into young females houses while on duty.....Rumors fly in small towns.

If one of my officers stops by a friends house and chats for a few minutes when things are slow, I would have no problem with that. However, if he spent an hour a time there. I would have to talk with him.

From what you say, it's not happening anymore, so don't worry about.

Answer 4

Sometimes they log it as a "business check" and actually report in where they are. It is time spent in community relations. This is a good thing if they come in and speak and move along. If they hang out for several hours, I would be a bit worried about who is covering the rest of their patrol district.

Answer 5

Piegow..... What! You mean I was working 24-7 for 29 years and didn't even get overtime? I got to get a lawyer. It boggles the mind to think what straight pay alone would be for "being on duty" all those hours and years.

Aren't there labor laws against this?

Answer 6

If an officer gives you an order, as mundane as it is, you have to comply. If they suspect you committed a crime, then they have the right to tell you anything. Now they can say they suspect you of breaking a law, but in all actuality, its just a formality to get you to comply. It's best not to mouth off, and just do as they tell you. I know its not the answer you wanted, but life isn't fair and thats just how it is.

Answer 7

Its allowed, but a cop thats "bored" is a cop thats is not hunting. Thats a waste of your taxes, not to mention the strain on your social life. Just let them know you have something to do and can't just "hang out" all the time.

Answer 8

If they are on duty no they are not allowed to stop and be social. They shouldn't be talking to you unless they have a reason to talk to you. There first point of contact when they talk to a civilian should be " Can I talk to you?" then you give them the reply, and they have to follow your response. If they don't report them. If they are at lunch then they somewhat have a right to talk to people. But if they bother you. Just let them know. I is called harassment.

Answer 9

Yeah, they are and you are probably cute. You handle them the same way you would any other guy. With a polite word letting them know you're not interested. If that doesn't work, contact their station and ask to speak to their superior. ALL guys should respect a girl's request to be left alone.

They're human too, ya know, so be nice.

Answer 10

Wow. Your paragraph was so illegible that I found it very difficult to understand what you were trying to say.

But overall, cops aren't allowed to just stand there and talk to you for 10 minutes or so. They're on patrol, so they have to keep moving. I don't see why you can't walk and talk with an officer, as long as you're not obstructing their path.