Today The NY Times explores issues of identity and authenticity in the police world. For example: it turns out many police officers carry fake badges–“dupes”–to avoid losing the actual ones. The practice is widespread and longstanding but against NYPD rules:
Fake badges cause so much concern that when officers are promoted or retire and are required to turn in their shields, they must place them in a special mold at Police Headquarters to ensure that they fit. That’s because most duplicates are purposely made slightly smaller to distinguish them from the original.
“You can’t tell the difference, trust me. That’s why they have the mold,” said [lawyer and former police officer Eric Sanders]. Indeed, some officers at retirement turn in their duplicate badges thinking they are real ones.
The dupes come apparently from internet vendors, police equipment stores (although they deny the practice), a jewelry shop in Chinatown (although police won’t name it), and an actor who makes badges for film and was arrested in 2002.
“Everybody knows where to go,” [former chief Louis] Anemone said.
The Times also examines a report on the risks faced by undercover cops, one in five of whom has been confronted with another officer’s gun:
“With each passing day, the officers become better at perfecting the art of playing the roles of criminals,” said Eugene O’Donnell, a professor of police studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. “The consequence of the officers becoming so good at blending in is that they are more likely to be mistaken for real criminals.”
All officers are taught that if another officer pulls a weapon on them, they should not move. Undercover officers are even instructed that if they are apprehending a suspect, they should let the suspect go if they believe that doing so will prevent the other officer from firing. The officers are also taught to not reach for their badges or guns, and to not turn their backs.
(Source: NY Observer / NY Times)
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11 Responses
Why is this article important to the Yeshiva World?
Wow
Interesting piece of inside information. I thought undercover cops had a password they would give to an arresting officer if they are picked up while working undercover. Cops are smart; they can come up with a way to work this out.
Maybe TYW should do an investigation as to how to teach children to identify an imposter.
re #3:you watch too many movies cops don’t have secret passwords or hand gestures sometimes while walking the beat they wear a colored arm band, but other than that there is no way to tell a cop from a criminal unless he takes out his badge. which would not be advised because if he were being held at gun point by an actual officer and were to reach for something he would be shot dead on.
Again….why is this important for YWN readers? I’m confused….
#1:
Fake badges…. Yeshiva World…. Fake badges….
Think about it. I’m sure you’ll figure out why it is of interest.
They trying to say you need to throw out ur fake badges!!!
This article makes no sense it starts off talking about fake badges and some how ends off talking about under cover cops, i’m sure you know what you meant to write but did a poor job communicating it to the reader
I think YWN’s point here is that the actor who used to make the fake badges has been arrested, so there is a job opening…
#5, how dare you accuse me of watching too many cop movies, and then making a totally useless statement that an undercover cop held at gunpoint, “Were to reach for something he would be shot dead on.”
Like I said, perhaps there is a code. The police are smart. I am sure it may have been brought up “at the meeting”, that undercover cops may be interfered with by uniformed cops while doing investigation.
Is it so hard to expect that the police department WOULD have a procedure for that and not just leave it a wreckless mess, especially when the undercover cop is among criminals he is investigating? Calling out, “Wait, I’m a cop, too.” Will get him dead, especially when going undercover with mobsters, outlaw bikers, etc…
Maybe YOU saw it in a movie? Maybe movies employ PD consultants and what you saw was valid.
Stop being mean and accusatory based on an unflattering assumption.