BEA Titles

I worked hard in college and in passing the Certified Public Accountant's exam to earn those small three letters. It matters to some people, it doesn't to others. I am proud of what I accomplished, but it isn't the end of the world if my work impresses people more than those three letters behind my company name. I have worked with professionals who were both attorney's and CPA's who refused to use either on their advertising or business cards. They stood on their reputations and titles or licenses didn't matter. That's how I was taught, and that's how I live. Only an insecure person will rely on a title to make themself seem important to others.

BTW, I am a first-time grandma and have her pictures proudly displayed all over my office (and on the forums) so what does that make me? Should I add "proud Grammy" to my proclaimed accomplishments?

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Kathy Blackshear
Blackshear Investigations
Blackshear Bail Bonds
Sales Associate, Prepaid Legal Services, Inc.
Walsenburg, CO

Proud Member of the AB Reject Club

Thanks for that Mindtracker, it's greatly appreaciated.
It does raise another question though.
You stated that in some states that certain badge styles and shapes are illeagal.
Isn't that a bit idiotic on those States part as Security Officers or Private Police Officers are more likely to look like Police that BEA's would be? Between Security/Private Police Officers badges and LAPD style uniforms it is a bit hard to tell who's who.

In FL only sheriffs can display a 5 point star. Anyone else is committing a crime. Thats just one example. All security firms are aware of this and just pick another style. Also the use of the state seal is reserved for LE only.

Don't really want to lose respect from Scott M. or those out there that don't use badges/ agent on clothing.. etc.

But... I really think it depends on where you operate. Think about this for a minute. Plainclothes PD or any LE operating like this either local, state or federal always seems to dress the same. Unless their homocide or "white color" investigators, plain clothes guys who do apprehensions usually wear jeans, plain shirt, badge on belt or neckchain, gun on side, bp vest sometimes under another t-shirt, sometimes not. The point is they all look the same. You can spot them in an instant if you see them anywhere. PD does not have a monopoly on "the look of a plain clothes operator". BDU's, vests and other items were actually started in the military and in the grand timeline of history only recently came on the scene with PD starting with LAPD Swat.

Why is it that they all look the same? There is no "official plain clothes dress code" at our dept. So then why?

Because it seems to be the most efficient way to dress and operate.
Jeans are durable, they blend in well and don't attract attention.
A badge on a neckchain provides a hidden identification piece that remains out of view, but when needed can be produced very quickly.

This is a bit of a double edged sword since BEA's are sometimes unlicensed and unforturnately untrained. I wish to come home to my wife and kids just like any LEO/BEA/Security Guard/Repo Man etc does. Do LEO's have any "more" right to safety and convenience than BEA's do?
Its sad that if ANY LEO wears the "plain clothes" traditional garb to make his job easier he is considered "dressing the role". If a BEA does it, he is trying to "copy" an LEO.

Why does Federal LE wear "Agent" on clothing to arrest someone or serve a warrant? They have ID in their pockets, they don't really "NEED" to have Agent on any clothing. They can just SAY what they are there for.
And if local PD does a raid or serves a warrant why do they need "POLICE" on their shirts? Wouldn't it be obvious? What purpose does the lettering really have? And the neckbadge... why would they display it? Do they NEED IT TO to effect a proper apprehension? And are they considered to be "copying the Feds, or military?" since they didn't start the look.

In truth, the lettering and badge keeps them safe. People are primarily a Visual animal first. When they see a badge, lettering etc... they think "something official" Now whether they think you are LE, Feds, Army, SAS... who knows! As long as they don't think you are a local gang banger trying to rob this fugitive of his stash.

That is why PD goes in all lettered up, not to show off, but for safety. So doesn't it seem a little funny to say that if we need to enter a house and apprehend an individual that we shouldn't be entitled to that level of safety because "other groups" do it and we might be trying to look like them?

For the record, as I stated in my earlier posts, I am a Reserve LE for two different dept's in Michigan so I have PD clothing, badge, etc. I have no interest in "playing cop" while working as a BEA, but the nature of apprehending criminals has many ways to do it. If wearing a neckbadge, lettering, etc lets me do it with more safety and efficiency, then why wouldn't I?

Think about this... in Mich, a parole agent, or probation agent, is NOT a LEO, has no LEO powers whatsoever. Yet if they go after one of their absconders or fugitives they dress in "Agent" garb etc. Yet they are not with the FBI, etc. They just have to return their skip, the same as BEA's.
But because they are not BEA's they are not ridiculed and never questioned about their garb or use of the word Agent.

On the flip side.... I see their argument... I really do. If some yoyo watches cops or dog the bh, and his uncle is a bondsman. He may think it is "cool" to dress the role and play his private little version of cops and robbers.

Finally I do think location plays a big part. Around here, you would really not want to enter a home with no "official looking" garb. It would be very dangerous! I have heard the statement: "as long as a reasonable person does not believe you are LE" pertaining to dress/ badges etc.
Well I gotta tell you, If you go into someones home with NO BADGE, just jeans and a polo shirt, NO LETTERING, NO GUN, NOTHING. And the neighbor sees you take out a person in handcuffs, place him in your vehicle, and drive off. He isn't going to think they are making a movie in his neighborhood. He is probably going to think you are LE or something similar. In other words, when you apprehend someone and people see it, they are going to form their own opinion of what is happening, letters and badges or not.

Sorry for the long story.... I was bored so I just kept typing

I don't call myself special agent, sgt, etc. I do NOT play cop unless I am in a police uniform and working with my dept. so please take my comments accordingly.

I have made many apprehensions and have NEVER had a problem with identification and have never had any "negative incidents" so I hope this will not affect any "possible work" by our company in the Mich area

Terry

Terry,

You present a well thought out, professional and reasonable view point. I find no fault with your logic.

Unfortunately, ours is a political plight. We are at the mercy of the politicians and government agencies.

Your logic is also further grounds for a unified industry, with unified uniform or dress code, and a unified badge that all states would agree to and recognize.

Realistically speaking, that will never happen. 3 times within the last 24 hrs I have had it stated to me by 3 different highly renowned and recognized industry leaders in 3 different phone calls, that our industry will be regulated out of existence within the next 10 yrs if not sooner.

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River City Associates
Decatur, Al. 35601

That is if we as an Industry allow that to happen . . . there are too many voices and our voices should be heard by our elected politicians . . . BUT if the Recovery / BEA Industry be regulated out then we can just be "Regulators"

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Do not consider anything for your interest which makes you break your word, quit your modesty, or inclines you to any practice which will not bear the light, or look the world in the face .... Marcus Antonius

I AM Some Folks "KARMA" and A MODERATOR @ FRN

Terry
I appreciate your post and you would never lose respect from me for a differing opinion, as if my opinion mattered anyway.

I have the benefit of observation and re-arrests in 34 states to date. I have been respected and protected and been disrespected and vulnerable, and there was no difference in my behavior. I have had great cooperation from one shift and been totally mistreated by the next shift in the same jurisdiction. I have been disrespected to the point of despair and frustration many times, as I was led to believe that plyers of my craft are low life felons and holster sniffers. I have been lauded publicly and privately by the same officers superiors and politicians alike.

Notice the give and take. What is valid now isn't 8 hours from now. We have to retreat back to the shadows and attract minimal attention to ourselves. The use of anything that blurs that seperation is cause for some to attack our craft.

In November of 2004, I brought two people in to Charles County, MD. The individual that I re-arrested in Iowa had 17 warrants, the one in Kentucky had 25 warrants. (I had a letter from the State AG of MD for that one )
I was acosted by a loud mouthed deputy about how I was a cop wannabe.
This had to happen in front of an audience of clerks and deputies. I looked him dead in the eye and told him I could not afford the pay cut to be a cop.

What upset me was that this was a great accomplishment in my eyes, and in my time to shine I was ridiculed by a moron that could never have accomplished what my crew and I had done.

As a result, I stay in the shadows, hold myself to a standard that few can consistantly match and handle myself professionally. I give no man ammunition to take me down, since I have learned of the dicotomy of personalities that we deal with, and to despise them.

You are correct in that we deal with different areas of operation.

Scott

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R.E. "Scott" MacLean III

"Leaders are like Eagles, you never see them in a flock, but one at a time"

Chesapeake Group Investigations, Inc.
Chesapeake Bail Bonds
877-574-0500
301-392-1100 (fax)
301-392-1900 (Office)