Gothamist: Fake Cops Shoot Brooklyn Man

floyd alwon

Fri, 18 May 2007 20:48:09 -0500

ask for their shield number

Ramble

Fri, 18 May 2007 17:04:40 -0500

Yeah, if memory serves, the bad guy was actually wearing McClane's friend's badge, and McClane had already recognized it when he asked about the lottery numbers. The actual question was "small talk"/a cue for the audience.

JoeBoy

Fri, 18 May 2007 10:53:51 -0500

JoeBoy

Fri, 18 May 2007 10:51:01 -0500

Actually Nick, 1 shot

DaveH

Fri, 18 May 2007 10:15:08 -0500

McClane asked the robber about the winning lotto numbers because his cop friend always bet his badge number. When the guy didn't know the numbers, that was McClane's cue to go all Yippee-Kay-Ay on his ass.

entropone

Fri, 18 May 2007 10:13:09 -0500

i just generally distrust cops. asking for their name and badge number should work, but unfortunately, the threat of accountability has (in my experience) made cops really upset and angry. then there were those times i was being ordered to disperse by cops who wouldn't identify themselves. how do i know those boys in blue (and riot gear) are real cops and not fakers? good question...

nick

Fri, 18 May 2007 09:55:37 -0500

the guy is lucky that this was a fake cop! 1 shot > 50 shots.

matukonyc

Fri, 18 May 2007 09:37:26 -0500

Well, since they "forced" themselves in through an already open door (using the badges as a distraction) and they were armed, so there probably isn't much one could do in a situation like that. Otherwise, one should ask to see a police identification card, which, like a driver's license, has the officer's name and picture. One can also call 911 and confirm a police officer's identity.

Peter

Fri, 18 May 2007 09:31:57 -0500

Do any readers have any suggestions about questions one can ask to make sure a police officer is real? "Where's the nearest Dunkin' Donuts?"

J.

Fri, 18 May 2007 09:25:42 -0500

I believe in one of the Die Hard movies Bruce Willis asks the poseur-cops about the winning lottery numbers from the previous day. Because they don't know, and also probably because of their thick German accents, Willis determines that they are not cops.

whatever

Fri, 18 May 2007 09:08:51 -0500

yeah: "Where's your warrant". They should have a physical stamped piece of official looking paper. Of course, you can fake that too.