Are you able to remember EVERYONE you deal with?

[JBintheWest]

Are you guys able to, several years later, remember every last person you deal with and the reason you do? Or do you deal with too many different things, and too many similar things different times, to remember everyone? As ONLY A FEW examples, when you have a call of neighbors fighting, are you able to remember their names, faces, where they lived, and the details months or even years later, or just a general idea, or do you forget cause of other stuff you do. Or are you able to remember shoplifters you take out several months or years later, or places you go to break up parties and everyone who was there, or are you able to remember everyone who has had something stolen or vandalized? Or the details of every last car accident you invesitigate? Or other things? Are you able to remember everyone you pull over and the reasons you do, or do you pull over too many people to remember everyone?

Are there some types of incidents you can remember specific details of, while others you forget?

[ROS]

Do you remember everyone you've ever met and exact details of how and to what extent you've met them? Even someone you met only once while they rang up your groceries back in 1992?

There's a reason law enforcement agencies input our contact with the public into databases, you know. ;)

[Samuel]

Originally Posted by JBintheWest

Are you guys able to, several years later, remember every last person you deal with and the reason you do? Or do you deal with too many different things, and too many similar things different times, to remember everyone? As ONLY A FEW examples, when you have a call of neighbors fighting, are you able to remember their names, faces, where they lived, and the details months or even years later, or just a general idea, or do you forget cause of other stuff you do. Or are you able to remember shoplifters you take out several months or years later, or places you go to break up parties and everyone who was there, or are you able to remember everyone who has had something stolen or vandalized? Or the details of every last car accident you invesitigate? Or other things? Are you able to remember everyone you pull over and the reasons you do, or do you pull over too many people to remember everyone?

Are there some times of incidents you can remember specific details of, while others you forget?

And the reason you are asking is because.... :confused:

[retdetsgt]

I have trouble remembering whether or not I need to go to the bathroom....

[lawduck]

When I first started (May'08) I remembered everyone and everything. I could look at an old ticket and remember everything about it.

Now I see faces all the time I recognize but can't remember where I have seen them. When my memory is refreshed though I can usually remember everything about it.

[greg72982]

I only remember hott girls






this was a joke BTW^^

[Cat_Doc]

Pssst, Sarge.....you need to go to the bathroom.

[retdetsgt]

Originally Posted by Cat_Doc

Pssst, Sarge.....you need to go to the bathroom.

Whoops, too late.....:(

[mcsap]

Oct 15th 1987, I got into a pursuit with a black Firebird , license plate , KEY-501. Dont ask me why I can remember that.

I know the phone number I had for 4 months while in New Jersey in 1982.

I know the VIN number of my 1977 Datsun sedan I sold in 1985.

For some reason ,I am good remembering things with numbers in them or if I can somehow " digitize " something into having a number.

But yes , after dealing with certain people for alog time you get to know their personal info.

[phantasm]

Some people I do remember for whatever reason. Usually its when I have another encounter with them, or the circumstances are the same.

[retdetsgt]

I've got a better memory for names and dates of birth than I do faces. When I worked patrol, I could remember license plates, but after I made detective that wasn't so important and I seemed to have lost that talent. Same with numbers in general. They were much more important to me then than when I became a detective.

I took horrible notes in interviews, but could remember the content quite well when I wrote the report. My notes consisted mainly of key words and that was it. Defense attorneys learned not to bother to subpoena my notes as they were gibberish to them. Others took really detailed notes, mine were horrible, but they were good enough for me to recall the facts when I wrote my report.

I also was pretty good at remembering form and one of the few people I knew that could dictate a search warrant affidavit or ex parte order for a body wire off the top of my head. I could even remember the boiler plate that went along with it. In fact, a judge contacted the chief and nearly demanded that I teach affidavit writing.

I hate to admit it, but I have a terrible time with faces. I could talk to someone last week, recall his name, dob, address, etc., but couldn't pick him out in a bar a week later.

My memory has been tested a few times in the last few years when I've been called to testify on homicide cases from nearly 20 years ago that have been solved via DNA.

[Cat_Doc]

Originally Posted by retdetsgt

My memory has been tested a few times in the last few years when I've been called to testify on homicide cases from nearly 20 years ago that have been solved via DNA.

And that is the importance of writing a detailed historical document, oft referred to as a police report.

I had the opportunity to be flown back to Battle Creek, Michigan, with an old partner of mine for a homicide from 1982 we helped them on. We had interviewed the suspect who fled out here after the murder. It was over 20 years old before a cold case squad gained new evidence.

Sounds like bragging, but when we read the old agency assist DR and supplementals, it all came back in a flash. Testifying was a breeze with no trip ups and they found the guy guilty.

I don't know the exact motivation for the OP's question, suspecting someone must have testified against them based upon memory, but historical documents serve more purpose than just trying to convince the prosecutor to pursue charges. They refresh memory and a good one will allow someone reading them 50 years from now to know exactly what happened.

[Plazoo]

As soon as I'm done writing my report, I usually forget all about the people involved unless, for whatever reason, something happened that made them standout over the numerous other people I deal with.

I know my memory sucks so, like was mentioned, that's why my reports are generally a whole lot longer and detailed than they need to be. That way, I can reread the mini-books and remember everything that happened when I need to.

[lawduck]

I can also remember someone's name and date of birth. When I arrest them and have to use their name in my report I will remember their DOB. It's weird. I'll never forget Charles N. 2-19-81. Every time he goes driving he's good for a DWI.

[Johninaustin]

I have almost a photographic memory for faces. Don't ask for names though.

I also have the most difficult time recognising cars. Esp little imports.