Do police officers routinely carry business cards with their name and badge number on them?

[Fumesucker]

This seems to be a crucial point in the Gates brouhaha and it would be nice to know if police do or do not routinely carry such cards.

I know we have several officers who post here, I'd like those that read my OP to weigh in on this subject if they don't mind.

[MineralMan]

1. Depends on the jurisdiction. Some do and some don't.

[BobRossi]

2. Yes, Reminders me of a real situation..

There was a rash of purse thefts from our public library which is situated right next door to our police station.
A detective that I know setup a hidden video camera and a bait purse in the library, the only thing in the purse was his business card.

It didn't take long for the suspect to snatch the purse, she opened it in the parking lot, found the business card and promptly returned the purse at which point she was arrested!

[WeDidIt]

3. They should in Cambridge

since identifying oneself is the law for cops in Massachussetts.

[Myrina]

4. If not a 'business card' ... something with their badge # on it ...

and district office phone # at least.

:shrug:

[pipi_k]

5. I don't know about any other towns or cities but

When Mr Pip was a Sergeant on the force he had business cards with his name, rank, and business phone number on them. No badge number.

[DailyGrind51]

6. They should have their name badges pinned on their uniform shirts or jackets.

[cbdo2007]

7. I'm sure the officer had ID on him...but who should prove their identity first?

The officer or the suspect?

[Fumesucker]

8. Gates had *already* shown his ID..

Or he had before he was arrested anyway.

[cbdo2007]

9. From what I've read, Gates was already demanding the cop's ID,

before handing over his. Then, even as the cop was looking at Gates ID to determine it's validity and before he had reached his conclusion, Gates was still all over him for his ID.

This is important because it is up to the suspect to cooperate until they are no longer the suspect. For all the cop knew, this was someone who had a fake ID made because they knew Gates would be out of town, and the only report about the person he had to go on was the 911 caller who saw him bust through the door.

[Fumesucker]

15. But Gates did indeed hand over his ID..

And it has yet to be established that the officer properly responded to Gates request/demand for his name and badge number.

As I pointed out in another thread, my family has had both very positive and extremely negative encounters (from the point of view of professional behavior) with police from my local department, I don't automatically believe what an officer says but I do not automatically disbelieve also.

[etherealtruth]

11. Both! n/t

[cbdo2007]

12. Oh come on....

See, this doesn't make sense.

The cop was responding to two individuals breaking into a house, when he arrives he only encounters one individual, who at this point is a suspect who could be armed, and there is still another suspect missing, it is the responsibility of the suspect to prove his identity first. Not the cop to wander up to him all friendly like to show him all of his identification just cause the suspect requested it.

[etherealtruth]

13. Excuse me

If I am legally on my property and clearly posing no threat to the police (or anyone else) I believe it is well within reasonable expectations that the police sufficiently identify themselves.

[cbdo2007]

14. I doubt you'll find any police officer anywhere responding to a call of

two men breaking into a house with backpacks, who is going to be so comfortable with the situation when they confront one of the suspects, that they're going to get out all their documentation to sit down with you to explain who they are and their whole life story.

No. It doesn't matter what the circumstance or who is involved, the police need to make sure they are not in danger first thing and that the suspects are who they say they are, otherwise you ARE posing a threat to them by being confrontational and not identifying it is your residence.

[etherealtruth]

16. Gates did provide ID ... the issue should have been over

the cop then should have provided the requested info. i do not bash the police ....but, i do not excuse behaviors that escalate situations either.

Gates provided ID.

Reading through the thread you do not appear open to the possibility that the behavior of the police escalated the situation.

I worked as a nurse for years. One of the things you know is that people in general are not on their best behavior ... as a professional you have an obligation to calm the situation and have an understanding of the feelings of others. My hope is that the cop in this situation understands that it would have been better for all had he acted differently. People are going to be arrogant and treat you less than respectfully .... If you work in this type of profession you need to be able to deflect rather than inflame.

[cbdo2007]

19. I absolutely agree that the police escalated the situation, but not until the end.

From what I have read/heard regarding this, the police officer was in the process of validating the Harvard ID that Gates had given to him, by his statement that he had just called Harvard Police and was leaving with Gates ID in hand.

It was at this time that Gates began to shout and accuse the officer of being a racist and demanding his ID. The officer did appear to be deflecting Gates comments at first, as he was trying to verify his identity, at which point the officer lost his cool and arrested him, which he shouldn't have done.

Back to the original argument on giving your identity, it is imperative that the first thing that happens when a cop responds to a call is that they need to verify the identity of the suspect, especially if that suspect is innocent, so that neither party ends up getting hurt. If the suspect is not helping to clarify their identity for the cop as quickly and easily as possible, which appears to have happened here, then that can be seen as a threat to the cop who is still trying to figure out the entire scope of the situation.

Until identity is established the suspect, who was witnessed and reported to be breaking into a house, could be armed, and his accomplice could be sneaking around somewhere.

[TrogL]

10. They do here

Digression:

Awhile ago I was interviewed for something-or-other and was asked "have you had any involvement with the police" to which I replied, "yes, I used to be a volunteer police officer and currently I'm doing a lot of a crime prevention committee work". The guy kind of stared at me for a minute and finally said, "no, the other kind of involvement".

The police officers I deal with have a wallet full of cards.

[Gothmog]

17. Mass. Law requires Officers to carry such cards

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6134165

See also http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/41-98d.htm

Chapter 41: Section 98D. Identification cards


Section 98D. Each city or town shall issue to every full time police officer employed by it an identification card bearing his photograph and the municipal seal. Such card shall be carried on the officer’s person, and shall be exhibited upon lawful request for purposes of identification

Prof. Gates requested ID and Crowley failed to provide such ID

[AngryOldDem]

18. My question:

If a person in a situation with a police officer asks for their name and badge number, is the officer bound to disclose it? I just heard Gates say that he stepped out to ask that, and that's when they handcuffed him.

[EFerrari]

21. In MA, it's the law. n/t

[Supply Side Jesus]

20. I do

Name and ID number, and if it needs a case number I write it down. I hand out cards to all contacts I make through a shift, whether it's a traffic stop or walker stop. Unless it's a ticket, they get my name info form that.