FAQ's and General Information Page
The following questions are covered on this page.
- So what is PolicePosers.com?
- Why the name Policeposers?
- Where do you get the content and ideas for PolicePosers.com?
- Why do you sometimes post old wannabe/whacker news stories?
- How often do you update the site?
- What are the difference between whackers, wannabes, and imposters?
- A prelude into whackers, wannabes, and impostors as discussed on this site
- What type of security ARE we talking about?
- Why do you have ads plastered all over your web site?
- You know some of your ads sell lights and you are against their use, isn't that ironic?
So what is PolicePosers.com?
This web site is to bring out to the eyes of everyone the people who try to be something they are not in the public safety field. These types are known as wannabe's and/or whackers however there are numerous other names out there. We consider PolicePosers.com a news and blog web site with a guide to understanding the growing problems of emergency lighting abuse and public safety imposters. Here is a quick FAQ's guide to help you understand the basics of this web site.
Why the name Policeposers?
Because the term "Police Impostors" was simply too long for a internet domain name. I also thought the name was catchy and the common public would know what it means compared to the names whacker or wannabe. Although our title is police posers, we cover all areas of the public safety field dealing with whackers, wannabes, and imposters.
Where do you get the content and ideas for PolicePosers.com?
Content is provided by a group of dedicated staff who help with creation of the articles and content you see on this web site. The web site and our general goal would not be possible without them.
Why do you sometimes post old wannabe/whacker news stories?
Front page content and news stories are either submitted by viewers or found by the webmaster. Sometimes stories or submissions dry up and we have to resort to posting old content to keep the news rolling. As we are about bringing the problem to a central focal point we will share anything we can find on the topics of this growing trend. Right now we post an update every two weeks but will update in between that based on submissions.
How often do you update the site?
Article and content updates usually take place every other weekend. Article updates to stories, special events/incidents, or other news worthy information will be added is it comes up. Most web site coding corrections and changes are updated along with the regular and special updates.
What are the difference between whackers, wannabes, and imposters?
David B. explains it best:
In the U.S. we call it impersonation in situations where the person claims to be a LEO, and/or restricted items (lights, uniforms, etc) are used such that the general public believes that the person is a LEO, especialy if there is also crime commited . The term "whacker" generaly is used to refer to people who do it as a powertrip or for fun. For example an inpersonator would be someone who uses red/blue/white emergency lights to pull over women & rape them, where as a whacker would be someone who has amber "police style" lights (there're legal amber lights, but look like real red/blue/white emergency lights) because they like to see people slam on the brakes or be afraid to pass them because they think the driver is a police officer, but doesn't actualy commit a crime with them.
A prelude into whackers, wannabes, and impostors as discussed on this site.
There is a straight forward way to distinguish people we discuss on this site from everyone else, that is INTENT.
We do recognize some people out there have antennas on their cars for their hobbies, mainly ham related activities. We also recognize some people put “Police Interceptor” badges on their vehicles as a way of poking fun at the vehicle the badge resides on. For all intensive purposes we are not talking about these types. The types we are talking about those who put antennas on their car for no other purpose other than to give a look of being “official.” Also we talk about those who put the badge on their vehicle for no other purpose than to try and slight the general public on who they might be.
The above is a brief summery of what the difference is between intent and general user or someone with a sense of humor might be.
What type of security ARE we talking about?
I have been asked this question since I have taken a somewhat solid stance of security using emergency lighting. It has always been my understanding and my opinion that there are two types of security out there.
How I see it, there are Standard Security who are the types who guard our malls, drive our armored cars, and do general property protection. This type of security usually has minimal training on law enforcement tactics and usually has the training to perform their duties and that’s about it. There is nothing wrong with this type of security and they are needed to have our society function as it is. Over time though, this security has been a magnet for police and general law enforcement wannabes due to their close proximity to law enforcement. The attraction of these wannabes and the actions they have done to imitate law enforcement (usually illegally) has given all of the security one black eye after another. It’s a sad fact but with the meager wagers paid by some security companies, they can’t get more reliable and educated staffing. For those most part THESE are the types we talk about on this web site. Before anyone goes off on the “you don’t know the life of a security guard” I did work security over five years in all aspects of the profession from guard duties on clock rounds to surveillance and then management. A lot of my opinion comes from the types I have met while working in the field. It is also one of the main reasons I left the field. To further prove my point, I have been called a “wannabe” as an attack by others due to my security background and the information contained on this site.
The other type of security is what I call Specialty Security. These are the type who have the higher paying jobs and are usually staffed by former law enforcement or military or well educated professionals. You will find these types working Department of Energy or Department of Defense contracts among other high security/federal places. The most publicly known company I could use as an example is Blackwater USA. Usually this type of security works close or even hand in hand with law enforcement and is sometimes granted special powers to perform their job more efficiently. This type of security also uses law enforcement equipment in the performance of their job and usually is used professionally rather than some power trip you would see with the other type of security. As you might have suspected at this point, I am not talking about this type of security when I am discussing the issue on my web site.
Why do you have ads plastered all over your web site?
At this time I pay for all of the costs without asking for any donations. The ads are to help pay for the costs of running a web site of this nature.
You know some of your ads sell lights and you are against their use, isn't that ironic?
As some overlook, we have nothing against the purchase or use of lights by the proper individuals. Our site deals with the illegal, unethical, and immoral use of emergency equipment. There are plenty of honest citizens from the public safety field who browse this site every day.
Page Updated 10/14/08
