Is everyone suspect?

[seltzer]

When you have been in LE awhile, is everyone suspect to you? What I mean is, do you tend to watch everybody? The reason I ask this is, last night the wife and I were at Taco Bell, (she's a cheap date!) and the lobby was about to close, but they let us finish eating. We were the only ones in there except for a man and woman sitting in the corner booth, not eating. The manager told us and them that we could stay as long as we needed, but to let him know when we want to leave so he can unlock the door. To me, these people looked suspicious, I couldn't stop looking at them, wondering if they were up to something. They looked like your typical "***-hats" as one of our members would say! Nothing happened, and we all left at the same time, but I was just curious if any of you verified's so the same thing? After we left, I commented to my wife that I feel kinda weird for watching them through our meal, kinda felt remorse for thinking they were criminals. She said not to worry about it, she was glad I could see them whereas she couldn't. I don't know if this makes sense to you, let me know what you think. Have a great day everybody!--Joe

[Piggy]

I wouldn't say everyone is suspect, but I would say LEO's in general are more suspicious people than most.

And why are you asking these questions, were you thinking about doing something at the Taco Bell? Trying to get inside info? Hmmmm, sounds suspicious to me. (kidding)

[sgtbear111]

Street experience tells us that a person's behavior is what can hurt you. Talk is talk. Appearances are somewhere in between. Everyone has encountered a person who looks like a creep, but turns out to be a decent, and wonderful person. To say it concisely - Stereotyping. Cops are stereotyped as pigs, Nazis, cold, unfeeling, etc..........

The total situation: 1. appearance (what draws attention), 2. what is said, 3. observed behavior, and 4. our training and experience is called - threat assessment. The manager of that restaurant no doubt has training, policy to follow, or first-hand experience, in security of the store and it's employees. Get used to it.

[Drew27k9]

I do the same thing as far as watching people go. When I am out shopping or out at a restaurant, I watch people all the time. I think being a cop for 19 years, you see someone that catches your eye and you know that they are up to no good.

[fatboyjim154]

I always sit with a view of the door and never with it to my back, (unless there's a huge mirror that won't be obscured) & I watch everyone.


I just can't help myself, I very rarely "switch off" from that mindset!

[Star]

I am suspicious of everyone until I make my own assessments. Our minds and bodies are trained to see the whole picture. Cops are pretty psychic, especially if they've been on the road for several years.

All the verifieds here gave some great examples, in my opinion.

[Babysmamadrama]

I watch people as well, and my wife knows to let me sit where I can see the room. The ones you have to watch for are the ones who have their head on a swivel and trying to watch everything but what is in from of them.

[dwf]

I'm guilty of the same. I've been told that when in a public place that my eyes never stop moving around the room. It's not a conscious effort, just habit I guess. As others have said,...back to the wall, clear view of door, all entry/exit points ID'd, in a restaurant I try to maintain a clear view of the cash register and sit far enough away to give myself some reaction time and distance.

like fatboy said, it doesn't turn off...maybe gets turned down a few notches off duty but never off.

[retdetsgt]

That's one of the hardest things to overcome when you go U/C. A good doper can spot a cop a mile away by the way they look at everyone that comes in a room, etc. I worked U/C buying heroin for nearly a year and fortunately, I had a good snitch that taught me how to act and not act!

It later helped me when I was off duty and didn't want everybody in the world to recognize me as a cop.

[Charlie]

To me, these people looked suspicious, I couldn't stop looking at them, wondering if they were up to something. They looked like your typical "***-hats" as one of our members would say! Nothing happened, and we all left at the same time, but I was just curious if any of you verified's so the same thing?

OK. What "looked suspicious" about these people? Those are one of my most favorite calls (suspicious person calls), i.e. usually over the radio, "...the person looks suspicious to the complainant..." Remember that in a lot of cases, it is not what the person LOOKS LIKE but what are they DOING that IS suspicious.

On the other hand though, there are circumstances where someone can "look" suspicious but usually, especially with cops, they can usually easily justify through articulation, (Based upon experience, observation, etc.), why someone looked or acted suspicious.

Cops, in general, are professional people watchers... myself included...
--
Charlie

[acreature]

I have learned over the years not to trust anyone. Right now I can't count 9 people I "truly" trust.

Strangers are by nature looked at sideways, for over the last 8 eight years I have been thoroughly surprised by basic human behavior.

[mcsap]

When I am on duty I watch anyone and everyone. Because anyone and everyone is capable of just about anything.

I am a little more low keyed off duty because people don't know who I am so I can blend in with the crowd but I still watch people.

[Old Trooper]

You have to be aware of everything and everyone around you, especially when you are on duty, and it just naturally carries over to when you are off duty....it's just part of what helps you to come home in one piece every day!

[ChesCopPodz]

My favorite quote:

"To be a good police officer you must be polite, you must be professional, but above all you must be prepared to kill everyone you meet."

[lindat2957]

I always sit with a view of the door and never with it to my back, (unless there's a huge mirror that won't be obscured) & I watch everyone.

This is very true, I do find I watch people and pay attention to what is around me. On a lighter note there is nothing more entertaining then a bunch of cops going out to eat. The battle over who gets the comfort zone seat can result in a serious game of rock paper scissors! We develop habits that keep us safe in the field and turning that off is not easy.