The need for recognition or somesuch

[Stratherrick]

Ted

That's a side effect of having grown up primarily on a diet of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

I get the hint, I didn't mean to stereotype nor be disrespectful!

As for portrayal of outfits, I can imagine the movie/telly business always leans towards overkill. It's the same with the obligatory 'hand on the head' as the crook is pushed into the squad car.

Back to kilts, I suppose media portrayal of all things Scottish might lead some to some pretty weird conclusions as to what you're likely to find on a street in Aberdeen or Dunoon!

Slainte

Bruce

[dowofbuchanan]

Ted

That's a side effect of having grown up primarily on a diet of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

I get the hint, I didn't mean to stereotype nor be disrespectful!

As for portrayal of outfits, I can imagine the movie/telly business always leans towards overkill. It's the same with the obligatory 'hand on the head' as the crook is pushed into the squad car.

Back to kilts, I suppose media portrayal of all things Scottish might lead some to some pretty weird conclusions as to what you're likely to find on a street in Aberdeen or Dunoon!

Slainte

Bruce

actually hand on the head thing happens to me most of the probably 20 times ive been in car in cuffs .. thats actually for help since you arent as flexible with your arms behind you they generally have one hand on your arm and one on your head guiding you into the car so you dont fall over and injure yourself. but thats just me. also our squad cars have moved to low profile invisible reflector decals

[kiltimabar]

I wouldn't say it's movie overkill. While most police and sheriffs wear uniforms (except detectives), most federal agents (of which I was one) do not. If we were doing a raid, even at a single family residence, it was necessary to have at least two teams, front and back, and often there were officers from more than one agency, plus local police; and in low-light conditions in fast-moving situations, identifying the good guys from all others was crucial--you just can't be too conspicuous. Also you don't want to have the bad guys shooting you by mistake thinking it's a home invasion by rival drug robbers. If they do shoot you, you want to be sure they can't claim self defense on that basis.

I had not only an armored vest with embroidered badge and MARSHAL on both sides, but also an inconspicuous jacket that had pull-down flaps with the ID, which could be pulled down, plus a light nylon jacket with neon yellow paint on both sides and down the arms that practically glowed in the dark for non-threatening situations.