WARNING for you guys, according to cops we are aliens...

[Bossman]

Old town dont know where you live,but if you get into police work for the money you will be very disapointed. I made more money as a mechanic.

 

[Bonesquat]

I think the poor guy that patted me down was a newb. I'm sure his buddies that had arrived ripped on him bad after I left! I bet they were saying, "Oh look the new guy caught a big bad metal detector. *snickers*". The guy wasn't more than 25. I think he wanted to 'catch a big fish' if you know what I mean. He really DID want to be a hero based on how he was acting. He truly wanted me to be some kind of bad guy so the guys at the station would fall in love with him. I know he was just doing his job but I really think he should have just let me get back to it. Lame that I was told to leave from a public area with no signs posted and I even showed him some of the sharp can slaw I removed so kiddies wouldn't get cut!

 

[tjr35]

That is a funny story, but scary as well. Just think if he really thought you were holding a shotgun to someone you could have accidentally been shot. Especially if you were wearing headphones. He could have yelled out to you to drop your weapon and you not hear it.... And BANG!

"WE HAVE SHOTS FIRED!! ALIEN DOWN ALIEN DOWN. , THE LADY RAN AWAY, AND THE OFFICER GETS A MEDAL"

 

[Old Town]

Was reading an article in Forbes just the other day that clearly outlined the whole value of a civil servant's benefits program in these United States. They happened to use cops as an example with 65K being the total average pay. (don't forget your details, even though Forbes did not include this income)

Considering cops can get out at 55 with very nice retirements and can then collect this benefit for life, the end income number is well over what the private worker can ever hope for. It's over a million dollars value AFTER retirement.

People who go into LE do not rob the roles of MIT. They do it because it's a very good way to make a very good living when you consider the average US income is well under 30 grand. Police work does not require a superior intellect or a motivated personality type. Those last two requirements are what gain success in the private sector. What you are left with on every force in the country is a majority of very average persons who tend toward the aggressive in nature. It's natural selection and a normal thing. Me and a few others happen to understand this. You don't. This is OK by me.

Now consider this, toast99, it was you (not me) who was the first to exhibit cop-like behavior on running into someone who did not agree with you. You want the mods, the forum police, to come in and do your bidding.

How typical.

OT

 

[Old Town]

Old town dont know where you live,but if you get into police work for the money you will be very disapointed. I made more money as a mechanic.

No offense to you, but I had imagination as a kid. No cops in my family.

OT

 

[Qball]

Old Town, did your Forbes article mention anything about the risks of being a police officer? My friend gave his life in the line of duty as a police officer serving his community. He was shot and killed chasing an armed suspect on foot. His wife was seven months pregnant. He has a son who he never got to see grow up and a son who will never know his father. Tell my friend's wife that her husband wasn't a hero.

 

[Old Town]

Old Town, did your Forbes article mention anything about the risks of being a police officer? My friend gave his life in the line of duty as a police officer serving his community. He was shot and killed chasing an armed suspect on foot. His wife was seven months pregnant. He has a son who he never got to see grow up and a son who will never know his father. Tell my friend's wife that her husband wasn't a hero.

That's a tough thing but your friend joined of his own free will. He chose to take a job that might impact his family in a horrible way. He did this for money. HIS choice and a bad done. He was a victim of a bad life decision and nothing more. If you are looking for touchy-feely, I don't have it in me. Sorry.

OT

 

[Vettech101]

he·ro   /ˈhɪəroʊ/ Show Spelled[heer-oh] Show IPA
–noun, plural -roes; for 5 also -ros.
1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.

Its a hard pill to swallow, when someone else does not agree with the "masses"

in·di·vid·u·al   /ˌɪndəˈvɪdʒuəl/ Show Spelled[in-duh-vij-oo-uhl] Show IPA
–noun
1. a single human being, as distinguished from a group.

I have my own opinions on what a "hero" is, as well as do others.

 

[gtoast99]

A good point, Vettech. I won't say all cops are heroes. Some certainly are jerks. But I've met plenty of upstanding, hard working, nice officers, too.

But to insult them all as "pigs" who are only out to harass and make a buck isn't a fair characterization. And yes, I find it insulting and offensive.

PS: Old Town, if you have something to say, say it in the open. I have no intention of responding to your PM taunts and insults.

 

[Bubba707]

As with any organization, the leadership sets the tone for a police department and determines officer behavior. Some departments are good, others not so much. My town had a not so much department for years, until the Chief retired and was replaced by an actual experienced police officer from a good department. Since the change in leadership our department has become much more professional, less combative with citizens and more effective. Bad cops don't last long with good leaders and poor leaders create poor departments. Yes, I've been approached by police while detecting but every contact turned into a pleasant conversation once he knew what I was up to and ended with good luck wishes, usually with the request to be sure to fill my holes.

 

[Utah_T-Hunter]

Maybe just maybe it be a good idea to get to know most of the cops you can in your area..... And let them know what you are doing. Around here most of them know me since my job was out in the public.

It's makes it a lot easier when they know who you are and what you are doing. Just a idea that could make things go so much more smoother. Of course if you live in a big city would be difficult to get to know most of the Cop force.

 

[gtoast99]

That's a good idea, Utah, or if you cant get to know them then perhaps calling ahead as Bigreddoggg suggested, especially if your hunt will be in a place/time that might draw attention.

 

[Utah_T-Hunter]

Discussion about night Hunting.

When I had a job out in the public every Officer that would come in where I worked at... I would inform them where I Metal Detect mosty. (Local Park) And tell them I go there late at night.

I feel it would be much more less of a hassle if someone was able to aquainted with the Officers of your area. Please always remember no matter what views we take on Police Officers.... They are just a human behind a badge. We need to remember that. Yes, some of them do take the role to seriously but we all take roles we play now and then to seriously.

 

[Carol K]

I guess metal detecting at night would depend on your area. I never enjoyed metal detecting at night, it was just too hard to find the target!

I opt to either detect at dawn or dusk.

PS yes, Vlad and I have met some really nice (and understanding) police officers.

One wanted us to open the back of the van so he could see if we had any dead bodies in there.

 

[PSYS]

I don't think I'll do much detecting at night, but I am concerned about the number of "busy bodies" and individuals whose curiosity gets the best of them. I guess I don't want to go out detecting in an area where I'm certain I have the right to be and constantly be questioned...

 

[Bazetech]

Up where I live I wouldn't hesitate at all to go out at night, however, I've never had any problems with the police either. For all the people on here that live in the southern US, after having lived in Florida and Louisiana myself, I would be more worried about the snakes and what not out at night down there. But on the same side of that token, it is much cooler at night down there. For anyone with doubts, I would suggest though contacting the propper authorities before just heading out. But again we have pretty looses rules here as opposed to most of the rest of you.

 

[tylerb_drums]

i really hate it when im finding some good stuff and then boom! it starts getting dark and i cant see! i would love to detect at night if i had the ability to see lol it would be much cooler that way in both senses of the word haha its been hooot in tennessee! i could see where public night hunting might be a little iffy but i did hunt our local park in the playground area and no one said anything.. believe me people do worse stuff at those parks late at night than metal detect

 

[Bearharold]

I never did like detecting after dark and around here its not a real good idea . Can't blame the police for checking out someone running around out in the dark . Around here they have had schools and businesses broken into usually always at night so I can understand them telling someone they have to leave some place like that at night especially if they don't personally know you.
Anyway my personal preference is not to hunt after dark besides I am scared of the dark ...lol thats why I stopped coon hunting years ago .lol


Harold

 

[tylerb_drums]

as long as its not tooo late night haha i mean im young and am out pretty late usually and if iii saw someone out at 2 in the morning md'ing II would even wonder what the heck they were up to lol

 

[E-TracManiac]

Night Operations

Here in Poland MD is legal but u CANT dig !! So one good solution "Night Operations" 23pm-4am In last week i had over 20 hours night digging. some places in my town are able only at night and with garret PP is realy easy.