Contention between locals and feds: real or exaggerated?

**Animi** · 11-15-06, 01:41 PM

Hollywood has taught the general public the stereotype that local police don't like feds; that feds try to take all the credit; that feds may not respect locals; etc. In your experience is this realistic or not?

From my perspective it would seem that both need each other to effectively combat a lot of different types of crime.

**bayern** · 11-15-06, 02:38 PM

When dealing with the FEDS, it a Give and Take situation. We Give, They Take. Actually, the only one tht even seem to want to work with local agencies is ATF. The other agencies always deal with the BOSSES, who are generally clueless but like to rub sholders. US Marshalls aren't bad, they actually go out and catch bad guys.

**Hannibal** · 11-15-06, 02:43 PM

I can't speak for all Feds but I know fscf3801 and I try to work with local depts as much as possible. I wish we got the chance to work together more often. I think both sides would be better off.

**CT209** · 11-16-06, 04:14 AM

No problem with them.

If one shows up or calls us, we just do whatever they want without question. I mean, they are Feds after all.

**OfficerResource.com** · 11-16-06, 05:23 AM

I have no problems with feds as longs as they leave me alone!

**Lawdog32** · 11-16-06, 05:28 AM

The one time I had interaction with the FEDs they took. I seized 1300 lbs of marijuana from a Semi and we called the local DEA in to help. They took the weed. Forbide us from doing a press release on the bust for over a week while they tried to "deliver it". And to top things off when the department I was with at the time did do a press release they did not have me come in for it (I was on duty at the time). They didnt even give me any credit for it. The newly elected sheriff sure posed with it and took the credit.

**OfficerResource.com** · 11-16-06, 05:34 AM

Don't sweat it. The sheriff is elected let them get on TV!

**LAW DOG** · 11-16-06, 09:35 AM

I am federal unifromed and we relie on the local so we respect them more than they respect us. but I don't really respect the daprtment I'm with either so.

**MonsterMash** · 11-16-06, 10:39 AM

Ive had good/bad dealings with feds. The Marshalls.....I can't say enough good about the ones Ive worked with. They are like local guys with federal arrest powers. Laid back.

The FBI.....well.......they can take a flying fuck for all I care. And the ATF has been hit and miss. Had a real good rapport with an agent I called on an automatic weapons case I helped make off a traffic stop. He is good people.

Now.....for that other asshole. Back when the ban was still in effect I purchased a Bushmaster M4 with the "evil" collapsable stock and bayonet lug off of an agency letterhead. We had a standard form that had everything on it that the ATF wanted that the Chief signed for us for their records right? So, I take the letterhead up there, get the rifle (pass all the checks too. go figure), and take it home. My gun guy calls me and tells me to come see him cause there is a "problem with the paperwork." So I'm like OK. He tells me that this ATF agent says that the letterhead isn't good enough and that I, and my chief, have to sign this paper that has been copied straight out of the book cause it has to be "word for word." Ok.....no problem. My gun guy copied it on paper with a pen, word for word, and my Chief and I signed it. That wasn't good enough. It had to be typed. So he typed it out and we sign it. (I'm getting a little pissed at this point). Then the agent asks my gun guy "Well, why does he want it?" I told him to tell that asshole that he has gotten all of his required agency paperwork, and that I passed the background check. If he has a problem with it then he knows where I work and he can come see me there.

He never came to see me.

**BigDawg** · 11-16-06, 10:47 AM

there is no animocity between local and feds.

Locals think the Feds are over educated blow-hards that try to take the credit for all the work that the lacals do on a case.

Feds think that locals are under-educated back woods baffoons who couldn't find a kid in a Chucky Cheese.

Nah there is no animocity there at all.

All kidding asside Ive worked with some really good federal agents and Ive worked with some real fuck-ups. Kind of like some of the officers in my Dept. some are good some are fuck-ups.

**bayern** · 11-16-06, 12:31 PM

Heard a guy from LAPD say:

If you want to catch a fugutive, call the US MARSHALLS

If you want to catch a forger, call THE US SECRET SERVICE

**bayern** · 11-16-06, 12:33 PM

Heard a guy from LAPD say:

If you want to catch a fugutive, call the US MARSHALLS

If you want to catch a forger, call the US SECRET SERVICE

**bayern** · 11-16-06, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by bayern

Heard a guy from LAPD say:

If you want to catch a fugutive, call the US MARSHALLS

If you want to catch a forger, call the US SECRET SERVICE

HIT THE WRONG BUTTON:

here is the catch line:

If you want to have a news conference, call THE FBI.

**MissMyCaprice** · 11-16-06, 11:05 PM

LMAO!! Bayern is nailing it! ATF, DEA, USM, and SS are very helpful. Field-office FBI guys get used to doing nothing and are usually motivated to show up when they smell a press conference. But I'm basically in the sticks. Maybe big-city is different...

**bayern** · 11-17-06, 07:36 AM

forgot to add FED SPEAK

: WE CAN NEITHER CONFIRM OR DENY.....

**Lazy Fed** · 11-17-06, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by bayern

forgot to add FED SPEAK

: WE CAN NEITHER CONFIRM OR DENY.....

**Hannibal** · 11-17-06, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by bayern

forgot to add FED SPEAK

: WE CAN NEITHER CONFIRM OR DENY.....

"That agency doesn't exist."

and my personal favorite:

"They'll never know we were here."

**Lazy Fed** · 11-17-06, 06:18 PM

Originally Posted by Ronin Warrior

"That agency doesn't exist."

and my personal favorite:

"They'll never know we were here."

Yeah I have used that before, after I rape the guys vehicle and leave it in pieces.

**Jks9199** · 11-18-06, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by Animi

Hollywood has taught the general public the stereotype that local police don't like feds; that feds try to take all the credit; that feds may not respect locals; etc. In your experience is this realistic or not?

From my perspective it would seem that both need each other to effectively combat a lot of different types of crime.

There can be animosity or conflict between feds and local law enforcement, just like there can be problems between locals and state police or municipal cops and county cops/deputies.

It depends on the personalities involved (and often goes both ways!), and it depends on whether the parties have an accurate understanding of each other. Many smaller agencies think that the FBI, for example, has a bottomless pool of resources to throw in if they assist on a case. That ain't so! And the FBI frequently thinks that local or state agencies are clueless, untrustworthy and barely competent. That's seldom so, either.

Another common point of conflict is what I'll call the "destination" of a case. A local agency may not care how a gang member or drug dealer ties into a larger organization, for example. So long as they can wrap up their assault case or narc operation, they're happy. Feds are often looking larger scale, like RICO cases. So, Mr. Local gets frustrated when the feds won't let him bust someone because they're still putting a RICO case together, even though they've got the dirtbag for a stack of felonies.

But, if the agents and officers involved understand where the other guy is coming from, and are realistic in their expectations (Don't expect an FBI special agent to have the street skills of a rookie barely off of FTO, for example. It's not what they do!), local and federal partnerships can be a great tool, adding resources and skills to each other's effort.

(Gawd... I sound like some sort of effing cheerleader/grant requester!

)

**Retmilleo909** · 11-18-06, 06:45 PM

I've worked cases with the FBI, ATF and the US Postal Service and always received excellent cooperation and had a close working relationship with the agents and inspectors I worked with.
From my experience, these agencies would shy away from media publicity, as we with state LE did and let the local authorities receive the kudos, if there were any to be had.