"You're not a real cop."

There are many types of law enforcement officers (LEOs) working to keep America safe. Most of you are familiar with the traditional street cop, sheriff's deputy, and highway patrol officer. How many know about the countless other forms of LEOs?


Recently one of our Game Wardens pulled a subject over on a traffic issue. The driver refused to believe the Warden had the right to make the stop.


Sorry Sir, but YES he did.


Game Wardens are fully commissioned law enforcement officers. In fact, there are many types of LEOs patrolling. Every one of them has the same goal: keeping the public safe while maintaining the goals of his or her department.


In this day and age it's not easy. Cops have targets on their backs. It's sad for their was a time when LEOs were respected for the job they did. Very few professions tell you from day one you can lose your life in the performance of the work. One poor officer this year was killed while he was refueling his car - shot dead by a despicable coward. Despite this knowledge brave men and women apply when openings are posted, hoping to be the one picked.


That says a lot for their ethics, courage, and love of their fellow humans. These people are stand-ups in any crowd. Law enforcement officers deserve our thanks and support every day!


First, every officer begins his or her career by finishing high school. There are still departments that only require a high school education (along with a valid state driver's license and the ability to pass various tests before one is hired and sent through a law enforcement academy where they become certified as commissioned officers for the state. Many agencies have increased requirements to minimum of 60 college units or an actual degree. The application and testing still can include written exams, physical agility, polygraph, backgrounds, medical, interviews (referred to as oral boards), and other tests depending on the department. The formal academy is often followed by an internal academy then a one-on-one training period. Probation can be one-to-two years before an officer is out on his or her own.


Let's start with those you are most likely to come into contact with. School police may be assigned be a city, county, or state to patrol a school at any level from elementary to the universities. Our courts and county jails use LEOs (county jails may use sheriff deputies who start in the courts, go to the jails, and work 'up' to the patrol shifts).  County departments may have LEOs for parks, to oversee gaming (casinos, horse-racing, or card rooms), or to monitor the transportation services (taxi, subway, buses, etc.). State agencies have different forms of LEOs: for instance: State Parks may utilize a combination of commissioned (police powers) and non-commissioned Rangers. Fish and Game (wardens) are commissioned LEOs, as are Tribal Police. Federal agencies handle a wide variety of duties from the FBI, CIA, Secret Service, U.S. Forest Service, BLM, ATF, Marshalls, and ICE to name a few. Even fire departments may have commissioned LEOs to handle arson investigations.


Each agency is independent yet they can and will work with each other if circumstances dictates the need.


The bottom line: commissioned law enforcement officers may not have specific boundaries. A crime is a crime and they have a duty to act. Don't be surprised next time you are stopped by a man or woman in a uniform you don't recognize. Of course, it is okay to ask to see a badge but be reasonable. A Game Warden dressed in a uniform, in a company vehicle, has an ID. A person impersonating a law enforcement officer has to go to a lot of trouble. Be safe but smart - stop in a well-lit area. Any LEO can pull you over for a traffic violation.


Next time you see a cop, say thank you. He could be the one who is willing to take that bullet while leading you out of a building under siege by a terrorist in the future. Maybe she is the one passing by who stops to pull you out of a burning car. Just maybe one of them is the one who is the first in when your child is found at the bottom of the pool and starts CPR.


Think about it.


Stay safe out there!