Know Their Title!

You just encountered an officer of the law, what do I call this peacekeeper? How do I know?

There is a difference between a Police Officer, Sheriffs Deputy and State Trooper, as well as their ranks.


Backstory:
Knowing a proper title or rank of a peacekeeper has been proven to secure civilians get out of a ticket 9% more frequently than those who don't. Just because they may be a Police Officer, Sheriffs Deputy or State Trooper, doesn't mean that is their title. They may have earned a rank that covers up that title and replaces it.


The low down on basic ranks:
Police Officer is different from Sergeant, since Officer is a rank and Sergeant is also.
Sheriff is different from Deputy, a Sheriff is the head hocho of the department, Deputy is a man working for him.
Trooper is different from Sergeant, since Trooper is a rank and Sergeant is also.


Common Ranks
If you see their rank and can without a doubt identify it, use their proper rank title to address them.
Nothing on sleeve = Officer, Deputy or Trooper

Two Chevrons -CORPORAL-

Three Chevrons -SERGEANT-

Normally, higher ups, such as Lieutenants, Captains, Chiefs don't work the road as often as lower class officers. Their ranks are warn on their collar or shoulders and are identified as bars or stars.


City Police Officer
A city police officer is hired by the city, who works within city limits under the mayor. The best way to show a city, is anything maintained by taxes and where there are visible sidewalks and paved streets. They work for the Police Department but their actual title should be addressed as their rank or position.

~Their patch can easily distinguish them, normally it will say "City of" or straight up "Police Officer"


Sheriffs Office Deputy
A Deputy working with a Sheriffs Office is hired by the county, who works within county limits under THE Sheriff or commissioner. The best way to show a county, is anything maintained by taxes where there are no visible sidewalks, county marked roads, outskirts not covered in city ordinance etc. They work for the Sheriffs Department but their actual title should be addressed as their rank or position.

~Their patch can easily distinguish them, normally it will say "Sheriffs Office" or straight up "Deputy"


State Trooper
A Trooper working with the State Patrol is hired by the state, who works under the governor of the state to maintain all public roadways, highways and city streets. They work alongside city and county police to maintain laws on high speed zones. They are cops too, and can work just like an officer or deputy, but tend to migrate towards traffic and highway since their skills in accidents and collisions are out-of-this-world.

~Their patch can easily distinguish them, normally it will say "State of (then state)", have the States Seal on the patch or straight up say "State Patrol"


So what do I do if I just want to be respectful and don't want to mess up their rank/title?
Even though officer blatantly describes the law enforcer, it is a direct term. "Sir", "Ma'am", "Officer" will do just fine unless they correct you. If you know their base rank "Trooper", "Deputy", "Officer" that will do also, even though their rank takes precedence over their title that is still their base direct title.


Common Misconceptions
Statement: I got pulled over by a State Trooper in city limits, he/she can't do that!
Answer: He/she has more jurisdiction over any officer in the state, he/she works for the governor. He works FOR the '''State''' patrol. He/she just so happens to work in a set location, but as long as their on duty, they can do anything to uphold the law. This goes for most officers in the state.

Statement: I got pulled over by a deputy/officer out of his/her jurisdiction, what the heck?
Answer: He/she is a commissioned officer of the state, he/she can do his duty anywhere in the state, but his actual working jurisdiction is set. He is there to enforce the law and protect the state under his/her commission and swearing in, he/she will just call officers within that jurisdiction to back him/her up.

Statement: I got followed by someone and then their friend showed up and pulled me over...?
Answer: Just because an officer is off duty does not mean they are not going to uphold the law. Even if off duty, their commission in the state makes their word over-ride yours, anyday.

Statement: If the officer doesn't show up to court, I get my case dismissed.
Answer: You're right. But no officer will EVER miss court to represent their case.. they could lose their job. If they show up, 95% of the time you'll lose.

More Statement/Answers will be added as they come in.

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Post below and discuss, I will do my best to answer!

I am sure this will assist someone here on forums in some way, and when it does i hope they post their story here on this very thread for all of PF to read.

I didn't really know much about the law enforcement ranks, thanks for help us out man.

My cousin is in law enforcement, and he always tries to clear things up for me; but honestly, you did a much better job.
(Please don't tell my cousin? Shhh!)

Useful thread! Zokrin should make a thread like this, but to explain the ranks of U.S. Military.

P.S. Cops can be amazing people that come to help us when in desperate need, but the corrupted ones are pigs that abuse their power. A lot of cops are just weaklings who got beat up in school, so they want to take out their teenage/childhood issues on innocent civilians. I fucking hate a lot of cops for this reason.

Useful thread! Zokrin should make a thread like this, but to explain the ranks of U.S. Military.

P.S. Cops can be amazing people that come to help us when in desperate need, but the corrupted ones are pigs that abuse their power. A lot of cops are just weaklings who got beat up in school, so they want to take out their teenage/childhood issues on innocent civilians. I fucking hate a lot of cops for this reason.

I"m the same way. I mean, I was always taught to trust cops and run to them if I'm in danger. But growing up, I learned that not every cop is as willing and wonderful to help out someone in need. And that's very upsetting and frustrating to me.

Useful thread! Zokrin should make a thread like this, but to explain the ranks of U.S. Military.

P.S. Cops can be amazing people that come to help us when in desperate need, but the corrupted ones are pigs that abuse their power. A lot of cops are just weaklings who got beat up in school, so they want to take out their teenage/childhood issues on innocent civilians. I fucking hate a lot of cops for this reason.

I am in the military, each force is different in structure.

Useful thread! Zokrin should make a thread like this, but to explain the ranks of U.S. Military.

P.S. Cops can be amazing people that come to help us when in desperate need, but the corrupted ones are pigs that abuse their power. A lot of cops are just weaklings who got beat up in school, so they want to take out their teenage/childhood issues on innocent civilians. I fucking hate a lot of cops for this reason.

I"m the same way. I mean, I was always taught to trust cops and run to them if I'm in danger. But growing up, I learned that not every cop is as willing and wonderful to help out someone in need. And that's very upsetting and frustrating to me.

Yep... most of todays cops suck at doing their job, and get to full of themselves with power.