Residing within the city you police or not?

[Five Whiskey]

If this has already been addressed on another forum, please excuse the redundancy. I was hoping to gain some perspective from sworn officers who live within or outside of city limits. In your experience, would you recommend one or the other? Of course, each city is different. With larger cities, I'm sure it doesn't matter much, whereas with the smaller ones, it may have a greater impact. Just curious about your thoughts.

Thanks very much in advance,
5W.

[BikeCop501]

You don't sh it where you eat. When I'm at work, I'm at work, when I'm off, I don't want to be in the place I work. I would not feel comfortable eating or drinking in my work place. Now if you're a county deputy, thats different, you get a take home in the county

[Five Whiskey]

Thank you for the response. I think it's a good policy.

[southpaw1]

Deleted post.

[Five Whiskey]

I appreciate your thoughts, Southpaw. I think larger cities are a bit more immune to the aforementioned effect. I certainly see the value of "having a stake in the community you serve." This is precisely why I was conflicted in the first place. But, I think you're right--it is based on the individual and the city he/she polices. Thanks again.

[Se7en]

I've always lived where I worked and never had an issue off duty.

[K9krazy21]

I've always lived where I've worked! In 13 years I've only had 1 person say anything to me while I was off duty in a negative manner. That was fixed quick fast and in a hurry and he apologized.

On the flip side, I have had a tremendous amount of positive interactions with the citizens I work for. As far as craping in your back yard, and I'm not saying anyone who's posted has a problem with this, but I treat every person I deal with the utmost respect. I barbecue almost weekly with 1 person I met from writing him a ticket and I go fishing in another state a few times a year with another I met writing him a ticket.

I can however see where it could possibly turn into a bad deal, but I wouldn't change my situation for anything.

[BikeCop501]

I've always lived where I've worked! In 13 years I've only had 1 person say anything to me while I was off duty in a negative manner. That was fixed quick fast and in a hurry and he apologized.

On the flip side, I have had a tremendous amount of positive interactions with the citizens I work for. As far as craping in your back yard, and I'm not saying anyone who's posted has a problem with this, but I treat every person I deal with the utmost respect. I barbecue almost weekly with 1 person I met from writing him a ticket and I go fishing in another state a few times a year with another I met writing him a ticket.

I can however see where it could possibly turn into a bad deal, but I wouldn't change my situation for anything.

Its not about treating people with or with out respect, its about you taking away people liberties, and them not liking it, and I'm not talking about traffic tickets. IE I arrested a guy for DWI, and his underage girlfriend. About 6 months later, while at the movies in a town 25 miles away I ran into him in the bathroom after the show. I was alone, he wasn't. Dude started running his mouth and wanted to throw down, since I ruined his life and now he had friends with him and I was outnumbered. Lets just say it didn't end well for him or his friends.

You can treat people with all the respect in the world, and wouldn't expect a police officer to do any different, I know I don't. But at the same time, you have to speak the language of the streets, and of your clientele. Each jurisdiction is different, and I know a lot of officers who do live in their community of employment, but when you deal with chitty people all day, and take a lot of the to jail, you don't make many friends.

[K9krazy21]

I agree with you 100%, I used the traffic ticket as an example only. Your post about running into a guy 25 miles away from your town, is a reminder we always need to be vigilant no matter where we are!

[Cannady]

Its not about treating people with or with out respect, its about you taking away people liberties, and them not liking it, and I'm not talking about traffic tickets. IE I arrested a guy for DWI, and his underage girlfriend. About 6 months later, while at the movies in a town 25 miles away I ran into him in the bathroom after the show. I was alone, he wasn't. Dude started running his mouth and wanted to throw down, since I ruined his life and now he had friends with him and I was outnumbered. Lets just say it didn't end well for him or his friends.

You can treat people with all the respect in the world, and wouldn't expect a police officer to do any different, I know I don't. But at the same time, you have to speak the language of the streets, and of your clientele. Each jurisdiction is different, and I know a lot of officers who do live in their community of employment, but when you deal with chitty people all day, and take a lot of the to jail, you don't make many friends.

That's why I don't go ANYWHERE in town (or out of it for 99% of my career) without a firearm on me.

[Maverick1701]

If you work for a small county/city (like out here in the TX panhandle) you will most likely be required to reside within your jurisdiction. I know that all of the counties/towns around my county are this way (we also have this policy).

It has its pros & cons. It isn't so bad once you get used to the idea.