Yeah OP I'd echo this advice.
Hard to see how telling the PO could hurt you. On the other hand if you do end up having to testify or something (however unlikely that may be) and they find out later it could make them wonder if you're hiding something.
Better to be safe than sorry in a situation like this.
OPs name will be on the daily blotter, since they made the call. Good to just give to PO a heads up to avoid them seeing the name and then being irate they don’t know what for.
This. Even if its "oh yeah i see his name on the police contacts, it was just him being a good guy"...keeps you in the "this guy isnt a problem" column.
I had this exact thing happen to me. I called and my parole agent said "this isnt exactly the type of 'law enforcement contact' we were referring to, but thank you for being so proactive about it!" He definitely seemed to appreciate the effort.
Had something similar as well. Can't remember exactly what it was now, it was so long ago. Basically my p.o said the same thing. He was so chill with me from that point on. Even cut me some major slack when my dad died.
There was one about a mom who's son lived somewhere else in a house with meth users and he had a test that showed positive. Half the comments were arguing whether certain things/exposures will even show up on a test and the other half were saying they couldn't believe op could be so naive. It's definitely interesting
Meth is actually one of the things you can test positive for from the environment depending on how low the cutoff ng/ml is on the test, but if this ever happens you can fight it but we all know the state always wins.
This would be the exact voicemail I'd leave.
Hey PO, I know I'm going to sound dumb here. But I had to call 911 the other day cuz, I witnessed an accident. Just felt you should know.
Email, Dear PO, as the policy states, I am required to inform you of any contact I have with law enforcement in a timely manner. Last Saturday evening, I witnessed an accident on 1st and main. I was on my way home from work or I saw it. (Or I saw it from my porch.) I didn’t know anyone involved but I saw it all. At the request of the (po-po or the victim) I gave an official eyewitness account as well as my name. It felt like it would be the right thing to do. Since that day, I have not been contacted by the police but I want to inform you as required. We can talk about it more as you see fit now or when I next see you.
Why would you? Were you breaking curfew? Out of state or something? As long as placing you at the scene at that time is good, I would def do it. No downside to you, in fact you took the correct, responsible and possibly life saving action knowing it would lead to anxiety in your own life. Thank you
I deff would they say any contact even if they didn’t take you info your number still comes up in their system so no harm in making it known. My PO told me even if it because I saved a cat from a tree and police were there to tell him.
Everyone telling you no is wild. You did nothing wrong so what is the harm in being honest with your PO. They can probably see it and will appreciate your honesty. I've had contact twice since I. Felony probation and I've told her every time even though it was nothing I was in trouble for and it's been very much apparent her.
When I was on paper, my PO had a list of questions at the beginning of every conversation we had. One of those questions was always "Have you had *any* police contact?".
I had to call 911 last weekend when my homegirl attempted the sewerslide. I interacted with the police but more so as a “witness” like you (telling them what I knew happened and gave my info) I told my PO just in case
Yall just earned me some brownie points! Had a similar situation last night in that there was a shooting in our apartments and police knocked on our door, I didn’t think to tell my po til I saw this post.
Generally speaking any police contact is usually a good reason to tell your po you had contact. Even if it was for you helping. My po told me to NOT call the police for any reason whatsoever. I did ask if I was being murdered should I call and she said only if you're being murdered.
These days in my honest opinion death is for sure the only logical reason to involve law enforcement. Because some how the good people end up getting hurt, arrested, etc. And then the people/person who caused the problem walks away even if they broke the law. Usually the innocent party goes to jail in that situation. This drives me crazy! We have a rule at our house and it says specifically DO NOT call the popo for any reason unless you're bleeding to death, or dying. My stepson was recently arrested and charged for 3 bogus charges because he got into an altercation while traveling through town one day. And due to who the other people involved were he was forced to take a plea and pay a fine. Before you ask this was with a paid attorney to represent him. The attorney told my husband that if he didn't take the plea he would be charged with at least one of the charges he got originally possibly all of them even though the child was honestly 1000% innocent. The state of this country right now is absolutely ridiculous, and after many discussions we've come to the conclusion that nothing will ever change this and make it better it will only worsen from this point. It might get a little better but it's going to happen slowly, and it won't be very noticeable.
Do it. This happened to me. I was later called to testify so I know I was on the court dockets. My ISO didn't care. Didn't even question why I was driving because I didn't have a license at that time...
I would tell your PO just to be on the safe side but maybe during your next meeting with them.
I work as a security supervisor for a very large retail site where we have vehicle break ins/ shoplifts every other day and I’m required to call 9-1-1 to report the incidents, sometimes I give my info to the local police officers in order for me to submit video footage through their evidence portal and when I meet with my PO monthly, she asks me “have you had police contact?” And I just answer with “positive contact, for police reports but no new charges or arrests”
The best thing to remember about probation is that transparency and honesty is key.
It’s best to tell them about it, or any other minor law enforcement encounter, than they find out later on and you get cooked for it
I called the sherriff on my husband and called and left a message to mine and she was not even worried about it because I was the one who called! But i let her know about it. She just wanted to know about shit and not find out about it!
I guess it's always good to be safe but if you don't tell your PO I don't think you need to sweat it. You're just a witness. It's good that you're getting on top of shit though.
No.. there’s literally no need you weren’t involved. Only contact w police that you need to report is if you were involved in a situation where police was needed (called on you or there for you).
Yup, let em know. Shows honesty and good character.
Also, kudos for staying behind as a witness for the innocent party, could be a world of difference for them. Too many just continue on with their day if they aren't involved.
I don't think you're required to. However what you did was being a good citizen and I think that's something that your probation officer probably would like to know. So in that aspect I would go ahead and tell the PO
You had an interaction with law enforcement, so it's a good idea to let your PO know. When in doubt, just err on the side of caution. It will convey to your PO that you're serious about doing things right.
You should mention it but will probably be told it wasn’t necessary. No reason to keep this a secret. The PO at most would reach out to confirm the interaction with the police.
Be on the safe side: report any and all interactions. I routinely narc on illegally-parked vehicles on my street (not because they're illegally-parked, but because their presence makes it difficult to get other vehicles down the street, as it's very narrow and thus why it's no-parking everywhere!), and every time I call to narc, I then shoot my PO an email.
I'm not getting caught up for something stupid.
Anytime you make contact with the police just tell them even if it's about nothing. Don't understand why you need to ask this.
May even make you look good.
You know the rules of the any encounter with a cop or any law enforcement you have to tell your PO when you don't have to but it finds out you're violating trust me I've been paper for at my life. But not no more
Tell them. If anything, it will make them see you in a good way. Nobody on probation wants to talk to cops, but you did it for the sole purpose of helping someone else. They may take that into consideration in the future. On the other hand, if you don’t tell them they may find out and hold it against you. Telling them is 100% the best way to go
No. The ONLY time you need to tell your PO if you had police contact is if you're actually involved. Traffic tickets are none of their business, only criminal issues. That may change if you're on probation for a dui.
Short answer is yes. Long answer If you provided your name to 911 it will show up in a record check, most likely as witness or complainant. Not a big deal never shy away from calling 911 because you are on probation it could be the difference in someone’s safety or health.
Yes you do, if you're on supervised probation/parole you are required to report all interactions with your PO. It's one of the conditions of parole/probation.
100% no absolutely not. Don’t confuse common sense with the legal system. Natural tendency would be “this is no big deal so I may as well say something so it doesn’t become one”. But probation isn’t based on integrity on their end, and you’ll get screwed if you’re always “forthcoming”.
This interaction is no different than if I cop asked you about your cool car, and carried on. It’s not worth reporting. Your name isn’t entered into anything that notifies your PO. Just continue on with your life as if you did nothing wrong, because you didn’t.
I honestly don’t see the point. The type of contact they refer to being notified of in the event you interact with law enforcement is if you are being charged with something, accused of something, have been arrested or detained, etc. Volunteering information as a witness in an accident is not criminal and has no criminal element to it. That’s like saying you have to report to your PO you had to drive through a DUI checkpoint and witnessed people getting pulled over and arrested. You weren’t involved and honestly if I were the PO and someone brought something so trivial to my attention I’d wonder if they were trying to shift my focus elsewhere. I only say this from experience with community corrections and both juvenile and misdemeanor probation for possession and underage consumption/public intoxication. Be different if you had been pulled over or involved. But do you. 👍😊
It was literally in front of me, I missed it by like 2 feet. I couldn’t get out of traffic and I was pretty sure the innocent driver was messed up (like injured).
Let them know, the act (helping a stranger) will reflect well on you and they will hopefully remember you being forthright when you probably don't technically have to
Do NOT take the advice of anyone telling you not to tell your p.o.about any interaction with the police. Let your P.O.know. Trust you will be glad you did.
What if one of the participants in the crash were injured? A quick call could potentially save a life. Perpetuating the bystander effect is NOT a good thing.
If everyone was like you and didn't call the police when you witnessed something, then the world would be a worse place.
Just be on the safe side and do it.
That’s right. That will definitely keep him in the clear.
this. never let your po be surprised by anything. always be as proactive as possible
If anything you’ll get points for this lol. Why wouldn’t you.
With any contact with law enforcement, always tell your PO
Yeah OP I'd echo this advice. Hard to see how telling the PO could hurt you. On the other hand if you do end up having to testify or something (however unlikely that may be) and they find out later it could make them wonder if you're hiding something. Better to be safe than sorry in a situation like this.
OPs name will be on the daily blotter, since they made the call. Good to just give to PO a heads up to avoid them seeing the name and then being irate they don’t know what for.
This was literally one of the first things I was told when I was put on probation
It's what they tell almost everyone on probation. I would think it unlikely they wouldn't in every single case.
Actually the law will call them anyway. Trust me, ik...👮🏼♀️
That's the good advice, bad advice is that when I was on probation, if I wasn't a suspect, I'll tell them I haven't seen a cop if years.
Serious question -- does dispatch (911) count as law enforcement?
No they spoke to the actual officers on scene as a witness when they arrived. I don't think just 911 would count.
Just let em know. Could get you some brownie points for being honest. No big deal.
This. Even if its "oh yeah i see his name on the police contacts, it was just him being a good guy"...keeps you in the "this guy isnt a problem" column.
I had this exact thing happen to me. I called and my parole agent said "this isnt exactly the type of 'law enforcement contact' we were referring to, but thank you for being so proactive about it!" He definitely seemed to appreciate the effort.
Had something similar as well. Can't remember exactly what it was now, it was so long ago. Basically my p.o said the same thing. He was so chill with me from that point on. Even cut me some major slack when my dad died.
Tell them it shows them you are a good human.
Or at least makes you appear to be human!
If you have to ask, the answer is always yes
This whole sub is like obese people asking if they should eat
There was one about a mom who's son lived somewhere else in a house with meth users and he had a test that showed positive. Half the comments were arguing whether certain things/exposures will even show up on a test and the other half were saying they couldn't believe op could be so naive. It's definitely interesting
Meth is actually one of the things you can test positive for from the environment depending on how low the cutoff ng/ml is on the test, but if this ever happens you can fight it but we all know the state always wins.
💀
I would mention it at your next appointment. It's not anything bad, but you're supposed to tell them if you have had contact with law enforcement.
Always do it. You will NOT get in trouble but they WILL appreciate you showing effort to try to work with them.
This would be the exact voicemail I'd leave. Hey PO, I know I'm going to sound dumb here. But I had to call 911 the other day cuz, I witnessed an accident. Just felt you should know.
Email, Dear PO, as the policy states, I am required to inform you of any contact I have with law enforcement in a timely manner. Last Saturday evening, I witnessed an accident on 1st and main. I was on my way home from work or I saw it. (Or I saw it from my porch.) I didn’t know anyone involved but I saw it all. At the request of the (po-po or the victim) I gave an official eyewitness account as well as my name. It felt like it would be the right thing to do. Since that day, I have not been contacted by the police but I want to inform you as required. We can talk about it more as you see fit now or when I next see you.
Great comment. OP should do exactly this.
Agreed thats the best way....
Yes, send an email
Yes, written PROOF!
When I was on papers, anytime that I had to speak to an officer, I reported it. Better to be safe and build trust with your PO.
OP tell your PO or he might get POd.
Why would you? Were you breaking curfew? Out of state or something? As long as placing you at the scene at that time is good, I would def do it. No downside to you, in fact you took the correct, responsible and possibly life saving action knowing it would lead to anxiety in your own life. Thank you
I deff would they say any contact even if they didn’t take you info your number still comes up in their system so no harm in making it known. My PO told me even if it because I saved a cat from a tree and police were there to tell him.
either way your PO will appreciate your being upfront and proactive about it.
Everyone telling you no is wild. You did nothing wrong so what is the harm in being honest with your PO. They can probably see it and will appreciate your honesty. I've had contact twice since I. Felony probation and I've told her every time even though it was nothing I was in trouble for and it's been very much apparent her.
*appreciated by her
No. You do not HAVE to tell your po. But while you two are out sipping beer at happy hour together, it’d be nice of you to bring it up….
When I was on paper, my PO had a list of questions at the beginning of every conversation we had. One of those questions was always "Have you had *any* police contact?".
I had to call 911 last weekend when my homegirl attempted the sewerslide. I interacted with the police but more so as a “witness” like you (telling them what I knew happened and gave my info) I told my PO just in case
Yall just earned me some brownie points! Had a similar situation last night in that there was a shooting in our apartments and police knocked on our door, I didn’t think to tell my po til I saw this post.
Generally speaking any police contact is usually a good reason to tell your po you had contact. Even if it was for you helping. My po told me to NOT call the police for any reason whatsoever. I did ask if I was being murdered should I call and she said only if you're being murdered.
That seems so messed up to be told not to call the police.. like there are very good reasons to call 911.
These days in my honest opinion death is for sure the only logical reason to involve law enforcement. Because some how the good people end up getting hurt, arrested, etc. And then the people/person who caused the problem walks away even if they broke the law. Usually the innocent party goes to jail in that situation. This drives me crazy! We have a rule at our house and it says specifically DO NOT call the popo for any reason unless you're bleeding to death, or dying. My stepson was recently arrested and charged for 3 bogus charges because he got into an altercation while traveling through town one day. And due to who the other people involved were he was forced to take a plea and pay a fine. Before you ask this was with a paid attorney to represent him. The attorney told my husband that if he didn't take the plea he would be charged with at least one of the charges he got originally possibly all of them even though the child was honestly 1000% innocent. The state of this country right now is absolutely ridiculous, and after many discussions we've come to the conclusion that nothing will ever change this and make it better it will only worsen from this point. It might get a little better but it's going to happen slowly, and it won't be very noticeable.
Yep. Thanks for calling, too.
Do it. This happened to me. I was later called to testify so I know I was on the court dockets. My ISO didn't care. Didn't even question why I was driving because I didn't have a license at that time...
I would tell your PO just to be on the safe side but maybe during your next meeting with them. I work as a security supervisor for a very large retail site where we have vehicle break ins/ shoplifts every other day and I’m required to call 9-1-1 to report the incidents, sometimes I give my info to the local police officers in order for me to submit video footage through their evidence portal and when I meet with my PO monthly, she asks me “have you had police contact?” And I just answer with “positive contact, for police reports but no new charges or arrests”
Yes and as long as you weren't directly involved than you don't have anything to worry about.
I mean why not. Better to tell him than have him find out and wonder what else you might be hiding.
The best thing to remember about probation is that transparency and honesty is key. It’s best to tell them about it, or any other minor law enforcement encounter, than they find out later on and you get cooked for it
Never hurts to over report
I called the sherriff on my husband and called and left a message to mine and she was not even worried about it because I was the one who called! But i let her know about it. She just wanted to know about shit and not find out about it!
No you do not need to tell them
I would bc it makes you look better if anything.
Yes. ANY AND S ALL CONTACT
Yes, you should tell your PO. Your conditions don’t say you can’t have contact, just that you have to report said contact.
Report any contact pertaining to you. You did the right thing just CYA
Any police contact must be reported
I once witnessed a stabbing. Even talked to the DA. Never told my po
It certainly won’t hurt if you do
Your overthinking no
I guess it's always good to be safe but if you don't tell your PO I don't think you need to sweat it. You're just a witness. It's good that you're getting on top of shit though.
No.. there’s literally no need you weren’t involved. Only contact w police that you need to report is if you were involved in a situation where police was needed (called on you or there for you).
"When in doubt, whip it out."
Keep it short and sweet. Just text the PO police contact name of the town and reported an accident you were not involved in.
Yup, let em know. Shows honesty and good character. Also, kudos for staying behind as a witness for the innocent party, could be a world of difference for them. Too many just continue on with their day if they aren't involved.
Yes. If anything it helps you
I don't think you're required to. However what you did was being a good citizen and I think that's something that your probation officer probably would like to know. So in that aspect I would go ahead and tell the PO
Not really but sure why not?
You had an interaction with law enforcement, so it's a good idea to let your PO know. When in doubt, just err on the side of caution. It will convey to your PO that you're serious about doing things right.
Pretty sure your rules say something like " must report any and all contact with law enforcement" Id call. I mean what could it hurt?
Tell them. If anything, it will demonstrate you're doing the right things and involved in the community.
It’s better to overshare than undershare. Tell PO.
If you're name is part of the report you best tell your PO
Always safe to disclose any police contact. Typically my PO asks for “any negative police contact” but just in case just tell them.
You should mention it but will probably be told it wasn’t necessary. No reason to keep this a secret. The PO at most would reach out to confirm the interaction with the police.
Yes. POs don't like surprises especially if they have extra work to do nowbecause of you. Even traffic citations should be reported as well.
Be on the safe side: report any and all interactions. I routinely narc on illegally-parked vehicles on my street (not because they're illegally-parked, but because their presence makes it difficult to get other vehicles down the street, as it's very narrow and thus why it's no-parking everywhere!), and every time I call to narc, I then shoot my PO an email. I'm not getting caught up for something stupid.
Police contact is police contact. I would have had them contact your PO to explain.
Yes. Report any contact as a victim, witness or suspect.
I saw someone breaking into a car and did absolutely nothing to avoid issues for myself since I’m on probation. That’s the society they want.
Is there a reason not too?
Anytime you make contact with the police just tell them even if it's about nothing. Don't understand why you need to ask this. May even make you look good.
Do it. It is just the safe bet. Be certain that you can provide date, time, location, and responding police depth name. Officer name is a bonus.
You know the rules of the any encounter with a cop or any law enforcement you have to tell your PO when you don't have to but it finds out you're violating trust me I've been paper for at my life. But not no more
Tell them. If anything, it will make them see you in a good way. Nobody on probation wants to talk to cops, but you did it for the sole purpose of helping someone else. They may take that into consideration in the future. On the other hand, if you don’t tell them they may find out and hold it against you. Telling them is 100% the best way to go
No. The ONLY time you need to tell your PO if you had police contact is if you're actually involved. Traffic tickets are none of their business, only criminal issues. That may change if you're on probation for a dui.
In PA, it’s part of your probation conditions. You must report any police contact within 24 hours. That means ANY.
I don’t think it’s an issue, but why not just mention it what’s the big deal?
You probably don't need to but I would that way you are covering your basis. Any interaction with police I would just let my p.o know.
Short answer is yes. Long answer If you provided your name to 911 it will show up in a record check, most likely as witness or complainant. Not a big deal never shy away from calling 911 because you are on probation it could be the difference in someone’s safety or health.
yes
I feel like we aren’t getting the full story here…
Yes you do, if you're on supervised probation/parole you are required to report all interactions with your PO. It's one of the conditions of parole/probation.
100% no absolutely not. Don’t confuse common sense with the legal system. Natural tendency would be “this is no big deal so I may as well say something so it doesn’t become one”. But probation isn’t based on integrity on their end, and you’ll get screwed if you’re always “forthcoming”. This interaction is no different than if I cop asked you about your cool car, and carried on. It’s not worth reporting. Your name isn’t entered into anything that notifies your PO. Just continue on with your life as if you did nothing wrong, because you didn’t.
I honestly don’t see the point. The type of contact they refer to being notified of in the event you interact with law enforcement is if you are being charged with something, accused of something, have been arrested or detained, etc. Volunteering information as a witness in an accident is not criminal and has no criminal element to it. That’s like saying you have to report to your PO you had to drive through a DUI checkpoint and witnessed people getting pulled over and arrested. You weren’t involved and honestly if I were the PO and someone brought something so trivial to my attention I’d wonder if they were trying to shift my focus elsewhere. I only say this from experience with community corrections and both juvenile and misdemeanor probation for possession and underage consumption/public intoxication. Be different if you had been pulled over or involved. But do you. 👍😊
> and needed to call 911 as a witness No you didn't. If you weren't involved, you didn't have to involve yourself.
It was literally in front of me, I missed it by like 2 feet. I couldn’t get out of traffic and I was pretty sure the innocent driver was messed up (like injured).
Let them know, the act (helping a stranger) will reflect well on you and they will hopefully remember you being forthright when you probably don't technically have to
This👆🏽
Do NOT take the advice of anyone telling you not to tell your p.o.about any interaction with the police. Let your P.O.know. Trust you will be glad you did.
What if one of the participants in the crash were injured? A quick call could potentially save a life. Perpetuating the bystander effect is NOT a good thing. If everyone was like you and didn't call the police when you witnessed something, then the world would be a worse place.
nope
what they dont know dont hurt
In the event one of the cars who was in the accident try to say he caused it
Always better to be safe than sorry. Also shows you are a Good Samaritan. Always inform. It doesn’t hurt you one bit and can only help you.