What is your opinion of bounty hunters?

**nitestokker** · 08-08-06, 11:17 PM

What do you guys think about bounty hunters and car re-po people? Just wondering. Our agency has a strict policy that these guys only operate in our jurisdiction with written permission from the chief and sheriff. I personally don't like them because they can act outside normal law enforcement guidelines and not get prosecuted. Just curious about your thoughts and experiences.............

**Emily** · 08-08-06, 11:24 PM

They irritate me for some reason. More so the bounty hunters.

Haven't had any personal experiences with either, though.

Ever watch Dog the Bounty Hunter on A&E? One minute he's calling them a worthless piece of shit (for committing the same crime that he himself has done plenty of times) and then the next he is all buddy-buddy with them. Give me a break.

**slamdunc** · 08-08-06, 11:48 PM

In Illinois, we don't have to deal with them. We have Supreme Court Bail Rule, which allows the accused to post 10% cash bond and not post any surety. This prevents bail bondsmen and bounty hunters from operating here.
I recall a case several years ago where a bounty hunter called in and expressed his intent to take a subject into custody. We informed him that if the guy was in NCIC, to give us his location and if not, he could be charged with unlawful restraint and possibly kidnapping.

**OfficerResource.com** · 08-08-06, 11:55 PM

I have never delt with a bounty hunter in the 9 years of being a LEO. We deal with repo men all the time. The are required to notify us when they are in town working. We stay out of their way and they don't bother us.

They are just doing a job!

**Terminator** · 08-09-06, 12:38 AM

I just watched this episode of Dog The Bounty Hunter where he went to California to track a fugitive, and he was willing to violate state law to capture this guy. He was also acting totally ridiculous. What a tool. For some reason, the bounty hunters annoy me.

**TwanimusPrime** · 08-09-06, 12:48 AM

Haven't dealt with any yet. Had some bail bondsman come into the town I worked to repo a car which was used as colateral when he posted bond. They walked up to me and told me what they were doing. I told them to tell me if the guy was there and I'd go hook him for warrants, but other than that just do what they gotta do and I wouldn't be involved.

Shortly after the repod the car, called back and said one the the guys kids stagged the keys and hid them, and theyw anted to report the keys stolen. Yeah, i wasn't gonna take a stolen keys report on a bail bond repo, told them they were SOL on that.

For the most part repo guys in our area call dispatch and let them know what they're doing, just so when the people call to report the stolen we know what happened to it.

As far as Bounty Hunters go, I really don't care what they do around here as long as we don't have to get involved.

**Retdetsgt** · 08-09-06, 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by slamdunc

In Illinois, we don't have to deal with them. We have Supreme Court Bail Rule, which allows the accused to post 10% cash bond and not post any surety. This prevents bail bondsmen and bounty hunters from operating here.
I recall a case several years ago where a bounty hunter called in and expressed his intent to take a subject into custody. We informed him that if the guy was in NCIC, to give us his location and if not, he could be charged with unlawful restraint and possibly kidnapping.

That's the way it is in Oregon. The bad news is that if they don't show up for court, nobody looks for them unless it's a pretty serious felony.

**dlefdal** · 08-09-06, 01:49 AM

Originally Posted by Retdetsgt

That's the way it is in Oregon. The bad news is that if they don't show up for court, nobody looks for them unless it's a pretty serious felony.

Yeah, and if they come down to CA with a warrant, you wont abstract, FUCKERS!

**Jenna** · 08-09-06, 08:14 AM

So why hasn't Dog the Bounty Hunter been arrested and imprisoned yet for violating all those laws in the course of his bounty hunting (with videotaped evidence of the violations)? And why would any criminal still choose to do business with him and his crazy family rather than with a less notorious bail bonds company?

**bayern** · 08-09-06, 08:35 AM

Wasn't he the Ass hole that jammed up in Mexico a while back, or was it some other cowboy?

**TXCharlie** · 08-09-06, 08:38 AM

I usually watch Dog but must notta caught that episode... But in most states, the Necessity laws allow even ordinary citizens to break minor laws if it is necessary to prevent a greater harm, or greater evil as it's sometimes stated in the law.

I think Bounty Hunters perform a valuable service, and so LEO's should cooperate with them as long as they don't break any serious laws or harm innocent people or property.

I don't know if Necessity laws apply to Bounty hunters' duties (probably not), but the spirit applies - I would hope that it depends entirely on the situation, as to whether cops would use their lawful discretion to look the other way, if no one is being harmed - I would hate to think that cops would allow a felon to go free just because the Bounty Hunter is not LEO.

Generally speaking, the felon has signed over many of his civil rights to the bond company, so breaking his civil rights is not an issue as long as the bounty hunter doesn't cross the line beyond the rights that were signed over.

**BigDawg** · 08-09-06, 09:05 AM

In NC I have used the Bail Bondsmen all the time. When I was on the Warrent squad we shared info. Usually the one we were looking for on a FTA (Failure to Appear) warrant were the same scum bags they were looking. The law allows them to enter a residence to apprehend with out a search warrant. At times we would stand outside and let them enter and search. If they located them, then we could enter or we would let them bring them to us and we would transport. They are just doing their job for the most part. But if they messed up, we cited or busted them and they knew that. I actually had a really good working relationship with most of them.

The repo guys are required to notify our dispatch when they are going to snatch a car. So if they try to reportit stolen later we can explain it's not stolen you lost it.

**sflcop** · 08-09-06, 09:26 AM

No experience with bounty hunters, but from what I have heard from others most of them go out there like cowboys. When it comes to repo's, I have never really had a bad experience. 99.9% of all repo guys call dispatch to advise what they are doing. Dispatch has a repo log. This way, when Joe Blow calls in to report the car stolen, he can just be told it was repo'd. The repo guys for the most part know the laws. They can't move another vehicle to get to the one they want to repo, has to be out in the open, i.e. they can't go into a garage and take it, as that would be considered burglary.

**Andrewtx** · 08-09-06, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by bayern

Wasn't he the Ass hole that jammed up in Mexico a while back, or was it some other cowboy?

Yeah, he caught that super rich fugitive from the United States. I don't remember who exactly he was; an heir to some financial fortune though that had fled to Mexico.

"Dog" seems like a bonehead but as long he's catching bad guys with fire-extinguisher sized canisters of pepper spray, it seems like he's ultimately performing a public service regardless of how unprofessional his tactics might be.

**Retdetsgt** · 08-09-06, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by dlefdal

Yeah, and if they come down to CA with a warrant, you wont abstract, FUCKERS!

Abstract? You mean extradite?

I wish we had bailbondsmen again. They would bring these guys back.

**Retdetsgt** · 08-09-06, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by sflcop

When it comes to repo's, I have never really had a bad experience. 99.9% of all repo guys call dispatch to advise what they are doing. Dispatch has a repo log.

Same here. They're required by city ordinance to notify us of a pending repo. The vast majority are sneaky enough (or big enough) that we rarely even get calls when they go to shit. When the deadbeat calls to report his car stolen, he's told over the phone by our auto records division to forget it.

**dlefdal** · 08-09-06, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Retdetsgt

Abstract? You mean extradite?

I wish we had bailbondsmen again. They would bring these guys back.

Same thing. We call them abstracts here. That is what we turn into the jail with the booking paperwork.

**TXCharlie** · 08-09-06, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Andrewtx

Yeah, he caught that super rich fugitive from the United States. I don't remember who exactly he was; an heir to some financial fortune though that had fled to Mexico.

"Dog" seems like a bonehead but as long he's catching bad guys with fire-extinguisher sized canisters of pepper spray, it seems like he's ultimately performing a public service regardless of how unprofessional his tactics might be.

Exactly - If a Bounty Hunter wants to risk getting thrown into a shithole Mexican prison to catch a fugitive, more power to him. Mexico can go screw themselves.

**slamdunc** · 08-09-06, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Jenna

So why hasn't Dog the Bounty Hunter been arrested and imprisoned yet for violating all those laws in the course of his bounty hunting (with videotaped evidence of the violations)?

It is just for entertainment value (like Pro-Wrestling). I'm sure that before the show airs, the network has signed waivers that cover all of his misemeanors.

Originally Posted by Jenna

And why would any criminal still choose to do business with him and his crazy family rather than with a less notorious bail bonds company?

They must be really desperate or just wanting their fifteen minutes of fame.

**TXCharlie** · 08-09-06, 11:18 AM

And many Bounty Hunters are armed to the teeth and not quite as polite and understanding as "The Dog"...

Although the bondsmen do consider the fugatives to be their "customers" and "merchandise"... They depend on repeat business from their customers - So the Bounty Hunter may not be called for another job if he damages the merchandise unnecessarily or causes a customer to go elsewhere when he needs another bond.

Or so I'm told - I've only taken a basic course so far. More to come, perhaps

By the way, the instructor to the Bounty Hunter course thinks The Dog is a jerk and a clown, too - When the instructor goes out, he said he's more likely to wear a suit or casual clothes than all the getup the Dog has on (depending on the surroundings - The goal is to blend in, and it's easier to hide weapons under a suit coat).