Kilted_Yank
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2002
- Messages
- 415
A Guide To American Law Enforcement and Personal Security
My Dear British Cousins,
I started this project several months ago because of some discussions here on UK Dis about encounters with American police, and general travel safety issues. As usual, life interrupted, and I got busy doing other things. Since spring is here with summer soon to follow, I thought I would finish up and post it now.
I realize that a great many of you probably have some familiarity with American Law Enforcement from watching American television shows, or from traveling to America on your visits to Disney and elsewhere, but I thought it might be helpful to give perhaps a few more pointers regarding the American law enforcement community.
It is my hope that some of this might be of some use to you and help you to enjoy visiting the United States.
First things first… American police officers aren’t all good looking, like they are on television. Neither are we as mad as some of the ones you see on “Cops” and other shows. Generally speaking, we are friendly and courteous… especially with tourists. Unlike most coppers where you are from, we almost all carry firearms, but don’t let that put you off.
Ok, lets get right down to it, shall we?
While you are in America, always carry some form of identification. If a passport is all you have with your photo on it, and you don’t want to carry it around, make several photocopies to keep with you and at your hotel. If traveling with a group, it would be prudent for everyone to carry a copy of each member of your groups I.D.
If you are traveling with children, keep a VERY current photograph of the child with you, and make sure that your child has some form of identification as well as YOUR identification and hotel contact information. If you have a digital camera, take a daily photograph of your children before you head out for the parks.
If you are driving, make sure you have a driver’s license. If driving a rental (hire car), make sure you have your rental papers close at hand.
Don’t forget to drive on the proper side of the road! I say this even thought I am sure that you are all more aware of the way we drive than most of us are aware of how it is in Britain (remind me to tell you the story of how I was almost killed by a London taxicab in my youth!).Carry your hotel AND flight information with you.
Ladies, if you are prone to carry handbags, please be careful of leaving them behind at the parks or in a restaurant. Using a fanny-pack or bum-bag can be a plus.
On the subject of handbags, make sure that they are closed while (whilst) you are shopping at the Mall/Target/Wal-Mart or wherever you are. Pickpockets love tourists. I don’t think that pickpockets are a real problem at wdw, but better safe than sorry, eh?
Obey the speed limits… I realize that many/most people don’t do this, but as foreigners (truthfully, most Americans don't really think of Brits or Canadians as foreigners), it will help you avoid unpleasantness with the local police.
Remember that American police culture is much different than yours in that our police forces (and our laws) often differ wildly from place to place to place.
We have 50 states, which all have mostly similar laws, but there are variances. Our states are broken down into Counties (or Parishes, in Louisiana), and the laws often vary from county to county. Counties are often broken down further into municipalities (cities and towns), and often municipalities have their own ordinances as well.
I will only mention federal law enforcement in the arena of immigration and transportation, as most of you will only encounter the Feds at the airport (sorry, it won’t be Mulder & Scully).
I realize that it may be a bit confusing when it comes to who has jurisdiction wherever you are, but to keep it simple and Disney-centric, let’s focus on these agencies:
The Florida Highway Patrol
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
The Orlando Police Department
The Department of Homeland Security/Customs & Border Protection
The Florida Highway Patrol: Are responsible for policing the State’s Highways (I-4, the 192, I-95, I-75 etc…), and the members are referred to as “Trooper”. Although they primarily patrol the highways, they have jurisdiction throughout the entire state. Their patrol cars are a sort of khaki and black.
The Orlando Police Department: The OPD is responsible for policing within the Orlando city limits, and the members of the department are addressed as “Officer”. Many of us never enter Orlando-proper while at wdw, but some of us do… often without notice. Officers of the OPD drive blue and white cars and have dark blue uniforms.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office: Their officers are referred to as “Deputy”, and are responsible for the unincorporated areas (areas outside of proper cities or towns) around wdw, which lies within Orange County. Their cars are white and green, and their uniforms are green.
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office: Their officers are referred to as “Deputy”, and are responsible for the unincorporated areas (areas outside of proper cities or towns) of Osceola County (which is where Kissimmee/The 192 are). Their cars are white and green and their uniforms are green.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office: Their officers are referred to as “Deputy”, and are responsible for the unincorporated areas (areas outside of proper cities or towns) of Seminole County (where Super Target and the Mall at Millennium are located). Their cars are white and green and their uniforms are green.
The Dept. of Homeland Security, Bureau of Customs & Border Protection: Their officers are referred to as Inspector These will be the uniformed chaps that examine your passports and other forms when you arrive. Please be as patient as you can with them, even when they ask you what seem to be silly questions. Remember, no jokes about terrorism (which I KNOW you lot already know not to do).
So… theoretically, in the short drive from an hotel in Kissimmee to the Mall at Millennium, a driver will cross the jurisdictions of Osceola and Orange counties, the City of Orlando, and Seminole county… all the while under the jurisdiction of the State Police, as well as the individual counties/cities, themselves. Confused yet? Well don’t be. Let me sort out a few things that will make it all much easier to deal with.
If you encounter the police, they aren’t likely to be frightening ogres that may remind you of an episode of COPS (do you watch that show in the UK?). Unless you are suspected of a crime (not a traffic infraction) they are likely to be very helpful and polite… especially as you are British. Don’t react with fear or nervousness, because that will lead to suspicion, which will take you down a bad road.
If you are involved in a traffic stop, do not attempt to get out of your vehicle unless the officer directs you to do so.
Keep your gestures minimal… if you want to get your ID from your pocket, wait until the officer tells you to do so, and then do so slowly.
Only one person should talk at a time. This is important… if the officer asks one person a question, only the person asked should answer. This minimizes confusion (and irritation).
If the encounter takes place after you have been enjoying adult beverages, please take care not to swear at the officer.
Please remember that America is an armed society, and police officers are hyper-aware of this, which is why we do many of the things we do. Keep these things in mind, but don’t let it terrify you.
Enjoy your visit, and remember, if you are at wdw and you see a large black man in a black kilt, it will probably be me, so please, stop and say hello!
I think it will be of great use.
