Cub Scout Field Trip #3

 This month's Bear Scout field trip was to the Police Station.  

Four of our six Bears were there, a much better turn out than last month!

First, Officer Christopher let the boys sit at an officer's desk and talked a little about the typical day in the life of a police officer.  He emphasized that police officers do a lot more than chasing bad-guys, and their job is not at all like what you see on TV.  They have to write a lot!  Like 2000 to 3000 pages a year!  Every time they make "contact" with someone, they have to write a report.  The report has to be detailed and accurate so they can refer to it if the case goes to trial, which often takes over a year.  Ben wasn't so excited about that part.  He hates writing.

Then they got to see the evidence room. Officer Christopher explained how the officers take each piece of evidence and put it in separate bags.  Then the evidence is secured in a locker or vault so it can't be tampered with.  They have a scale to weigh drug evidence and special bags for money or clothing evidence. Each different type of evidence has to be taken care of in a specific way.  Sometimes they have to call in an evidence specialist if it's beyond their capabilities.  He didn't really give an example of what that might be...but I can only imagine...a severed hand, maybe?

Next stop was the holding cell!  I told them I didn't want to see them in there ever again!

Then we went downstairs and met one of the detectives.  He talked more about how his job isn't at all like what we see on TV.  Like those computers that magically enhance videos so you can see clearly who the suspect is...not real.  And sending off DNA and getting the results back in 10 minutes...not real.  And finding all the evidence you need to convict the suspect after looking for only 20 minutes...not real.  He says there is something called the CSI effect which makes people on juries have more doubt about a suspect's guilt than they should because they expect evidence to be as clear and unmistakable as it is on the TV show CSI.  

After talking to the detective, Office Christopher took us back into the conference room and let the boys ask questions.  Blake asked how people are handcuffed, so he got a demonstration!  Ben said he didn't want to ask any questions because he didn't want to be demonstrated on!  Officer Christopher told the boys that when they're a little older, they can go on a ride-along with an officer.  It was a very interesting, fun field trip!