Verbal threat question

[rednecklilbit]

A Sgt for FL DOC made a verbal threat on someone's life who is currently on probation. What is the best action for the one on probation to take so that the Sgt can't carry through with his threat?

[Citicop]

A Sgt for FL DOC made a verbal threat on someone's life who is currently on probation. What is the best action for the one on probation to take so that the Sgt can't carry through with his threat?

Contact the local police and make them aware of the threat.

I bet there is more to this story than a guy walking innocently down the street minding his own business when the mean evil DOC Sergeant approached and stated, "I'm going to kill you."

-Citicop.

[marinepilot]

Moved to regular Ask-A-Cop section.

[scott715us]

File a written complaint with his superiors. They will investigate the allegation to see if it holds any merit and act accordingly. As Citicop advised, there's always two sides to every story. I would like to hear the other, but that's something that is consistently missing from an internet website.

[rednecklilbit]

A Sgt for FL DOC made a verbal threat on someone's life who is currently on probation. What is the best action for the one on probation to take so that the Sgt can't carry through with his threat?

The rest of the story the Sgt is also the one on probation's brother. The Sgt has always tried to bully his brother and lately the brother has been standing up for himself and the Sgt can't stand it.

[scott715us]

There's a difference in being hard on someone and making substantiated threats. I wouldn't think that the Sgt is going to do something to compromise his career over a brother who can't seem to stay out of jail or off probation.

[retdetsgt]

The rest of the story the Sgt is also the one on probation's brother. The Sgt has always tried to bully his brother and lately the brother has been standing up for himself and the Sgt can't stand it.

Odd they would let one brother supervise the other. If he said it, brother to brother is one thing altogether different than if was in his official capacity. But as others said, he should make a formal complaint if he thinks he's been done wrong.

[rednecklilbit]

There's a difference in being hard on someone and making substantiated threats. I wouldn't think that the Sgt is going to do something to compromise his career over a brother who can't seem to stay out of jail or off probation.

For the record he has only gotten into trouble once. The Sgt also threatened to burn my truck to the ground because I let his brother use it to get parts to fix my brother's truck. This same Sgt has been locked up for domestic violence against his now ex-wife, had numerous violations with FWC concerning illegal fish, drinking and boating, and even speeding in excess of 20mph over the speed limit.

[rednecklilbit]

The thing is this Sgt isn't a probation officer so he has no official supervision role over his brother.

[scott715us]

Just keep in mind that the threats have to be real and a likelihood to be carried out. Simply blowing off steam isn't going to cut the mustard. If he's threatened you or his brother on multiple occasions, but never followed up on any of them, then it's hard to argue that what he says is ever going to happen. I'm surprised he still has a job with DOC if the arrest and other violations are true.

[retdetsgt]

The thing is this Sgt isn't a probation officer so he has no official supervision role over his brother.

I could have had my big brother arrested for threatening to kill me when we were growing up? Damn.

Seriously, the guy sounds like a jerk, I'm not sure what you're looking for here. As been said several times, the brother (not you) would need to report the incident to the Sgt's superiors, which may make things even worse for him. But in reality, unless there is a solid crime (and that isn't unless there are indicators he plans to follow through), departments don't like to get involved in family matters. And it doesn't sound like that agency cares that much what their employees do off duty. If I had been involved in as much stuff as you described, mine would have made my life miserable.

Maybe the brother needs to move to a different part of the state to get away from him.

[Aussie George]

Just keep in mind that the threats have to be real and a likelihood to be carried out. Simply blowing off steam isn't going to cut the mustard. If he's threatened you or his brother on multiple occasions, but never followed up on any of them, then it's hard to argue that what he says is ever going to happen. I'm surprised he still has a job with DOC if the arrest and other violations are true.

Sounds similar as over here.

For instance if I am on one side of a river with a knife and I threaten to stab someone on the other side, it is not necessarily an unlawful threat because I can't actually do it.

However, if I were armed with a rifle and I threatened to shoot them, that is different, because I can do that.

Very simplistic view, but I often use that example to push the point home to someone who has received a "threat" (usually over Facebook and usually very veiled and unrealistic)

[icu650]

At any point was this guy ever released into his brothers (Sgt.) custody in lieu of a bail?

[mcsap]

In the incident involving threatening to burn your truck , what did you say or contribute to the situation for him to say this ?

[DeltaV]

"Verbal threats" aren't illegal in Florida unless there's some attempt to carry them out. As to filing an administrative complaint with DOC about the threats, you can do that, however if you want anything done about it you better actually have proof (i.e. a completely INDEPENDENT witness or a recording). Otherwise it's going to be your word against his.