A NYC detective without a partner ... - Writers Forum

Joseph · 06-20-2004, 10:11 PM

Is a detective on the New York City police force required to have a partner, or can he work alone?

Eventually, I plan on visiting a precint and conducting interviews to fine tune the details of my book. For now, however, I want to make sure I won't have to go back and add in a partner for my detective.

Thanks!

Airborneguy · 06-21-2004, 08:57 AM

Hmm...well you have a resident expert on that here, I wonder who that is?

It depends on the situation, but I am pretty sure you are going with something where they will have one though. If you are talking about going out on interviews, investigations, stuff like that, yes, always. But on the other hand, it might not necessarily be a "partner" as most of us think of it, someone you "ride" with everyday. If you can be more specific as to what you are looking for or setting up, I can help you.

If you haven't figured it out already, I just got in from my Midnight tour in one of Brooklyn South's fine precincts (rather not say which one on the board). I'd love to help you with this. Don't bother going into a precinct, no one will have the time to help you, unfortunately. If you were doing this for school, you might be able to set up a ride-along, but since I see you are in the Army (I was too), then that won't apply. Whatever you need, just ask me.

Joseph · 06-21-2004, 08:52 PM

Here are the major scenes with my detective so far:

1) Detective questions protagonist in restaurant following murder of a waiter. No mention is made of detective having a partner.

2) The waiter's body is missing from the morgue. The protagonist asks if he can accompany the detective to the scene of the crime. The detective relents because he is suspicious of my protagonist, and he wants to see if he can find any holes in the man's story. The detective has no partner during the scene at the morgue, although there are already officers on the scene when they arrive.

3) Detective arrives at crime scene at my protagonist's apartment, who has gone missing. Once again, he has no partner, although the crime scene investigation team is already there when he arrives. However, he discovers a lead that takes him to another office building. He asks one of the younger detectives to come with him.

Here are a couple other questions that I have:

- Can a detective call a judge to get a verbal search warrant?

- What is the official name for the crime scene investigating unit?

- Would an autoposy in a NYC morgue involve a coroner or a medical examiner?

- How many detectives are typically assigned to a case? Would there be more than one doing the investigation at the scene of a crime? Would they work separately or coordinate?

I could probably think of more given time, but I'll wait to see how you react to all of this.

Thanks for any help that you can provide.

Airborneguy · 06-21-2004, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph

Here are the major scenes with my detective so far:

1) Detective questions protagonist in restaurant following murder of a waiter. No mention is made of detective having a partner.

2) The waiter's body is missing from the morgue....

3) Detective arrives at crime scene at my protagonist's apartment, who has gone missing...

Here are a couple other questions that I have:

- Can a detective call a judge to get a verbal search warrant?

- What is the official name for the crime scene investigating unit?

- Would an autoposy in a NYC morgue involve a coroner or a medical examiner?

- How many detectives are typically assigned to a case? Would there be more than one doing the investigation at the scene of a crime? Would they work separately or coordinate?

Okay:

1. More than likely not. But remember, you don't have to have your detective follow the rules. In real life though, he would never do this without a partner. But, even though they would be in a pair, one detective would be assigned the case.

2. In the morgue, this is likely. There is really no fear of any danger. The cops (uniformed I suppose you mean) would probably not be there though, unless there was some type of big break in situation.

3. At the crime scene, it sort of depends. If this is right when it happens, no, there will be more than one, probably quite a few including a boss and a few cops hanging around to secure it. If it is afterwards, still probably not, but some detectives have been known to go check things out on their own...

4. Not likely, although in extreme cases (usually where a danger to life or the possible loss or destruction of important evidence exists) then they can call a judge. It rarely happens though.

5. Crime scene investigation is either done by: Emergency Service Unit (ESU, which is like our SWAT) or by Evidence Colllection Teams (ECT). ESU will handle cases where weapons will probably be found, ECT handles what you see in the movies (fingerprints, blood, drugs, bullets in the wall etc..) ESU comes in a big truck, ECT drives Ford Explorers painted like a police car, with lights.

6. I answered this, but I'll say it again. One detective gets the case, but many will investigate at the initial crime scene. I've seen up to 10, but I am sure more can be present. Cops will be there to. They do coordinate later on in the case, there are specialized detectives (Special Victims, ECT, the Lab, Homicide, Robbery, etc.)

Keep 'em coming....Just give me a thank you if you get published!

Joseph · 06-21-2004, 09:59 PM

I guess I came to the right place when I registered for these forums. Thanks for your input, it definitely helps.

I've just finished the first 25,000 words of my novel (about 100 pages in print). I'm almost done with Part I, all of which takes place in New York City and mostly revolves around the detective.

If you'd be willing to take a look Part I when I finish it and review it for accuracy as far as the police procedures are concerned, please drop me a line at joseph@shimerdla.com.

If not, that's okay. I appreciate the advice you've already given. I'm sure more questions will come up in the course of my writing, and I'll be sure to post them here.

Thanks again.

Airborneguy · 06-21-2004, 10:03 PM

just email it to me at airborneguy@hotmail.com. Put WRITING FORUMS NOVEL in the subject. Also, tomorrow when I get back from work, I thought of a few things you might not think to ask which are important, I just don't have time now. Are you from New York by the way?

Joseph · 06-21-2004, 11:01 PM

I went to college in New York, but I'm from Omaha, Nebraska originally.

Airborneguy · 06-22-2004, 08:26 AM

One important thing: Detectives do not hold rank over anyone. A PO and a Detective are the same rank, Detectives just have investigative jobs and get paid more. So to have a detective telling people what to do, even on a crime scene (other than, "Hey, watch where you step.") would be unrealistic. A lot of people don't realize that.

Joseph · 06-22-2004, 10:46 AM

Thanks, I didn't realize that.

Luckily, I only did that twice. The first time, my detective told the evidence collection team to have their reports on his desk when he got back. That should be an easy fix, though ... although if they don't give him their reports, how does he get the information?

The second time, he is actually ordering another, younger detective to do something: "Mooney, you're coming with me." Should I change this to a request, or might this be typical of a senior detective with quite a few years on the force?

Airborneguy · 06-22-2004, 06:21 PM

The first thing wouldn't happen. Especially because a detective from a "squad" (this is what the group of Detectives in a PCT are called) would not want to piss off a specialized unit that helps them a lot.

The second thing is something that happens all the time. I think that can stay!

Put it this way, try to avoid mostly everything that goes on in NYPD Blue.

Joseph · 06-22-2004, 09:36 PM

Thanks for the input. It is definitely helping the realism of my story, and I'd like it to be as true to life as possible.

Airborneguy · 06-23-2004, 08:41 AM

By the way, if you can get ABC (I think it is on ABC) over there, there is a new series of actual NYPS situations. I watched it last night a little bit and other than the guys hamming for the camera, it is exactly what we do. This is not a scripted show, its just like COPS, but here (COPS is actually banned from the NYPD for some reason).

Joseph · 06-23-2004, 10:31 AM

I don't have satellite, which is what we need over here to get any stations.

I do own a DVD player, though. Do you know of any other good series out on video that might be helpful? I saw something called CSI in the PX the other day, and thought that might be good.

I'v never been a fan of NYPD Blue either. I don't think I've seen more than one or two episodes, but I imagine that's a good thing, judging by your comments.

Airborneguy · 06-23-2004, 11:34 AM

There's really nothing realistic out there, off hand, I can't even think of any movies. I do know a writer though, a friend of my father's: Jimmy Wagner, comes up if you searh his name on amazon. Great books, I read them, lots of info for you there.

Joseph · 06-23-2004, 08:45 PM

Thanks, I'll definitely check them out. I recently bought Blue Blood by Edward Conlon and am currently reading that. I also have read a bunch of the Howdunit series put out by Writer's Digest. That and the internet is where I've gotten most of my information.

Can't wait for the 4th of July weekend -- We have four days off, and I hope to knock out most of the rest of Part I of my book during that time.