Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Nothing more than curiosity here. I'm not a criminal, but I do work for a technology company. As far as I know, the moderators can capture the IP address of anyone posting, if they want to (and therefore their physical location).

I've seen some of the post titles here. Can I fly with a glass pipe, how much weed can i have, my boyfriend tagged a church, my neighbors are dealing drugs, I'm being extorted, etc....

What's the score here? Do you guys get the itch to make a move on people when you see this kind of thing? Can you legally prosecute with the combination of this written information and the user's IP?

I came here specifically to find out about a city traffic ordinance. But, I soon realized that I've never been to a forum with all cops... and this is interesting stuff.

I am intrigued, fire away!

The burden of proof necessary to make an arrest is "probable cause."

I think that you'd be hard pressed to convince anyone that a statement made on an anonymous internet chat room alone amounted to "probable cause."

It's not against the law to talk about drug use (there are whole websites and communities devoted to the topic). It's not against the law to ask "hypothetical" questions about breaking the law. It's not even illegal to ask *real* questions about breaking the law.

So, in short, no. I am unaware of any cases where a question/statement here led to a prosecution, though I know that we have notified departments when people have falsely claimed to be police officers here.

Now, given something serious (threat to the president/hinting at terrorism/posting a CP photo/etc.) I can assure you that the appropriate agency WOULD be contacted and given the info, to include the IP address.

Does that make sense?

-Citicop.

The burden of proof necessary to make an arrest is "probable cause."

I think that you'd be hard pressed to convince anyone that a statement made on an anonymous internet chat room alone amounted to "probable cause."

It's not against the law to talk about drug use (there are whole websites and communities devoted to the topic). It's not against the law to ask "hypothetical" questions about breaking the law. It's not even illegal to ask *real* questions about breaking the law.

So, in short, no. I am unaware of any cases where a question/statement here led to a prosecution, though I know that we have notified departments when people have falsely claimed to be police officers here.

Now, given something serious (threat to the president/hinting at terrorism/posting a CP photo/etc.) I can assure you that the appropriate agency WOULD be contacted and given the info, to include the IP address.

Does that make sense?

-Citicop.

Totally. Very interesting. Seems like the same answer to the question I've always had about hip-hop, some punk & reggae, etc. "How can these guys get away with basically outlining murders, dope deals, etc in these songs?" Doesn't matter who they are, or how much of it is true... they can basically claim it as fiction, or hypothetical regardless of past/present/future tense, huh?

I'm sure if/when you saw what you describe as something "serious"... you would also see something in the post that would hint toward deliberate intent, and not just conversation.

Very interesting to me that you threw child porn right up there with terrorism and threats to the president. Heavy.

Well, to be fair, I don't know that I would put *talking* about CP up with those two...

But I can assure you that if a user here posted *actual* CP, the authorities would be contacted.

I included it because it is one crime that can actually be committed on this forum, not because I think it's the third most serious crime or anything (not to lessen the seriousness of it having worked some of those cases...)

-Citicop.

Well, to be fair, I don't know that I would put *talking* about CP up with those two...

But I can assure you that if a user here posted *actual* CP, the authorities would be contacted.

I included it because it is one crime that can actually be committed on this forum, not because I think it's the third most serious crime or anything (not to lessen the seriousness of it having worked some of those cases...)

-Citicop.

Oh I see. Yes, talking about it vs. actually perpetrating it by way of this venue. Is it possible for one to actually committ terrorist act on a forum? Is 'hinting' at terrorism considered a crime in itself? I imagine that one is especially sensitive though given our nation's history....

One could certainly commit conspiracy to commit a crime or terrorist act here.

And while Probable Cause is the burden of proof necessary for an arrest, a lesser burden of proof could certainly justify further investigation for more evidence...

Totally. Very interesting. Seems like the same answer to the question I've always had about hip-hop, some punk & reggae, etc. "How can these guys get away with basically outlining murders, dope deals, etc in these songs?" Doesn't matter who they are, or how much of it is true... they can basically claim it as fiction, or hypothetical regardless of past/present/future tense, huh?


Actually we had a local "rapper" prosecuted who made a little rap song about a murder he was involved in. The "song" described facts not released to the public and the cover had a fairly accurate drawing of the homicide scene. Both the song and cover were given to the jury as evidence.

He now has 25 to life to release his next album.