I write about a lot of police officers in my stories. There are cops in Hurricane Crimes, 30 Seconds, my unpublished supernatural-thriller series, and the next short story I plan to publish. I just love cops as characters, so it’s about time I create a post dedicated to them!
By the way, 30 SECONDS is now available on Amazon!!! :D
Here are 10 things to keep in mind if you use
police officers in a story:
1. Good
Name
Men and women in the police
force have all kinds of names, but when you’re in control, you get to create a
good, strong name for your character, and a name that will sound perfect with
“Officer” or “Detective.” In 30 Seconds, my hero is Blake Herror, and in the
sequel to Hurricane Crimes there’s a Detective Thorn.
2. Strength
Your character has to be
tough both mentally and physically. Police officers see a lot of horrible
things, and they hear the most bizarre stories, so your character needs to have
a mind and stomach of steel. He/she will also need to be able to run far and
defend him/herself in a fight.
3. Uniform
If you’re writing about a
police officer, he/she will frequently wear a uniform, Kevlar vest and utility
belt complete with a sidearm, handcuffs, baton (nightstick), and radio.
4. Vehicle
Your character will most
often be driving a police car. Is it a typical police car or is it an unmarked
car used for undercover work?
5. Station
Where will your story be
set? This is the home of your character’s police station. You’ll need to
mention the station throughout your story. Some places in the station you can
use for scenes are interrogation rooms, holding cells, and locker rooms.
6. Boss
Your character will need
people to answer to. Don’t forget to introduce a captain or police chief.
7. Stealth
All police officers have a
special way of moving, and can sense when something is wrong. Make your
character quick on his/her feet, and give him/her a ready-for-action posture
when it’s needed.
8. Physique
This should go without
saying, but make sure your character is fit.
9. Personality
Give your character these
personality traits: determination, intelligence, common-sense, cleverness and
even stubbornness, if you’d like.
10. The
Job
Follow your character on
his/her job as he/she patrols the streets, makes arrests, writes reports, and
chases speeding cars. Tie some of this into the actual plot of your story.
TIP #1: Be knowledgeable about guns, police procedures, and cop lingo. Check out this website: How to Become a Police Officer. They created a list of blogs by law enforcement professionals that offer a wealth of information into the police world. And one of our blogging friends, Slam Dunks, made it as #9 on the list!
TIP #2: Read crime books. Also watch movies and TV shows like Chicago PD, Blue Blood, and Rookie Blue.
SHARE: Your tips for writing about police officers.
QUESTION: What are your favorite police books/movies/TV shows?
A good name does make all the difference. The boss is fun to work in too.
ReplyDeleteIt sure does! I always like to get creative with my character's name and make it match their profession. :)
DeleteThe things that helped me the most to realistically portray police officers and detectives were: (1) read true crime books, especially ones (if there are) set in the same PD where my story is set; (2) meet police officers and talk to them. Police officers have a very unique lingo and, turns out, they LOVE to talk to people! Also, so many thrillers/police procedural books are so dramatic, but the truth is, these guys have a strong, dark, wonderful sense of humor. It's their way to shake off all the horrid stuff they see on their job line. So, please, when you portray police officers, don't forget to make them crack a joke here and there!
ReplyDeleteTalking to real officers is wonderful advice, E.E.! It would definitely help a writer who needs to understand more about the job and has questions that he/she can't find through research.
DeleteAnd I'm pretty sure Blake cracked a few jokes throughout 30 Seconds, Dani, too. I had to do something to lighten the mood. :)
oh, and I forgot to say: good luck on your launch tomorrow, I've got the post scheduled on my blog for the 18!
ReplyDeleteThank you, E.E.! :)
DeleteAttending the annual Writers Police Academy is a fun way to learn more about all public safety people, their psychology, and procedures. Contact the Public Affairs officer at your local police department for assistance. And checkout The Graveyard Shift, Lee Lofland's blog. He's also written a comprehensive book on police procedures that's an excellent reference.
ReplyDeleteThose are all great tips, Ashantay! Thanks for sharing!!
DeleteE.E. definitely has some great suggestions! I used to watch a lot of true crime shows on the Investigative Discovery channel and that helps as well because they interview the cops associated with the cases. And best of luck with your release tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteShe sure did have great suggestions. Anything true crime whether it's a book, show or movie is golden.
DeleteThank you! :D
Favorite? Dirty Harry!
ReplyDeleteThey do need stealth, although not as much as a Ninja.
Tomorrow is the big day!
Dirty Harry is a classic.
DeleteI know! Eek! ;)
Oooh, Chrys you've made me want to make one of my characters a police officer after reading this. I don't write mystery though. I love watching the true crime shows such as forensic. They always interview the PI on the case at the time and I find these men interesting. They're so very dedicated to solving the crime for the victim's family. Is you book 30 second available as a regular book or on itunes? I don't have a kindle.
ReplyDeleteI find officers, detectives and investigators interesting as well, which is why I always write about them. :)
DeleteOh, dear, 30 Seconds is only available as an eBook, but on my publishers website you can order a different format (pdf, mobi, or ePub).
http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5801
These are awesome tips for writing about police. I watch those true crime shows and I'm amazed at how the cops work.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kimberly! I am amazed at how cops work, too.
DeleteI have police officers in my latest WIP. It was not easy to write them since it was my first time using them. I was vague if I didn't know something, but I did draw from all the shows and books I've read.
ReplyDeleteUsing shows, movies and books as inspiration is always good. :)
DeleteI love crime and suspense novels. My WIP has a detective and a police officer, currently, and I had to do A LOT of research for their roles and surroundings. I remember spending hours looking at different guns and terminology I wasn't familiar with. These are some great tips, Chrys!
ReplyDeleteI downloaded your book this morning to show my support=) Best of luck with the release and I will be looking forward to having you over on my blog for the tour!! Hugs
THANK YOU SO MUCH for downloading 30 Seconds!!!!!! I do feel your support. All the time. :) Thanks! Hugs
DeleteI like the tips, but I also like turning them upside down. What about a detective with a skinny, weak physique who appears to be ineffective and passive? What if he uses his appearance to disguise a very clever mind? Or what about a dirty cop? See, this is why these tips are great. You can use them to create a strong, good officer, or you can use them to turn that cop on his head and make him evil :)
ReplyDeleteYou can definitely turn them upside down! That's the beauty of writing your own book and creating characters. I just decided to stick with the typical cop character for this post, but in my story Hurricane Crimes and the sequel, I did write about dirty cops. I'm glad you like my tips, Liz. :)
DeleteI actually work for the police, though as a programmer. I must say, it is fun to watch the troopers train.
ReplyDeleteThat must be so interesting!
DeleteI read Ed McBain's first 87th Precinct novel, Cop Hater, awhile ago, and enjoyed it. I'd read some mysteries before, but never a police procedural.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite secondary characters in my Russian historicals is the police officer Harry Baron, whom I've included in all three books so far. I wrote about him at http://carrieannebrownian.wordpress.com/2012/04/09/harry-baron/. There's also a minor recurring cop character in my Atlantic City books, who's always referred to as "the cop with the cute ass." He's finds it rather frustrating how he's almost always assigned to stupid, ridiculous cases (like trespassing at a private swimming hole) instead of real criminal matters.
I'll have to check out Cop Hater.
DeleteI love cop characters and create new whenever I can, or carry one over into other stories. Like you, I can't seem to let them go. If I was your cop, I'd be frustrated, too. :P
I think you've summed up how a police character should be quite nicely!
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
DeleteCongratulations on the release! Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!!!
DeleteThere's so much to learn about police work. When I wrote romance, I always wanted to write a romance with a police officer hero...but the research was grueling!
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Stephanie! There is a lot to learn, but it's not impossible. Maybe one day you'll write that romance with a police officer hero. :)
DeleteI love cop dramas: Law & Order (especially SVU), Criminal Minds, The Closer, and British dramas like Midsomer Murders, DCI Banks, Wallander, Inspector George Gently, Line of Duty ... I hope to write crime fiction in future as well. Oh and Chrys, I learned about your 30 Seconds sale just minutes ago. Heading over to purchase a copy after this. Very excited for you!
ReplyDeleteCriminal Minds is one of my favorites!
DeleteThank you, Claudine!!! I appreciate your support! :D
I've written about police officers. I had to research police procedures for my Touch of Death series and The Monster Within.
ReplyDeleteI like knowing that, Kelly. Thanks for commenting! :)
DeleteI find officers, detectives and investigators interesting as well, which is why I always write about them. :)
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