 Mystery: May 16, 2007 Issue [#1713] |
  Mystery
This week: Edited by: darkin
More Newsletters By This Editor 
1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions
Welcome to the Mystery Newsletter. Why are mysteries so popular? Because mysteries make you think. You follow every clue, examine the crime scenes and remember what each suspect said, until you solve the crime. A good mystery can keep you interested until the end. A great mystery will keep you guessing until the last page...when it makes you slap your forehead in surprise!
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| ASIN: B083RZ2C5F |
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** Image ID #916735 Unavailable **
Talk like a policeman
Last week I touched on the kinds of things a policeman would have with them when they worked. This week, we'll go over how a policeman speaks.
Every career has its own special lingo and law enforcement isn't any different. When writing detective stories, you want to make your story to read realistically so it draws your reader into the tale. But short of starting a law enforcement career, how do you go about making your police characters seem real.
One way to bring your officers to life is have them speak like real policemen. Adding bits of lingo to your officer's speech will go a long way to make them even more real.
Regular Talk
When speaking to each other, police officers will use the lingo of their job. Much like an accountant or lawyer, they have their own unique way to communicate to their colleagues. Here are some words and phrases you can use to make your detective sound more real. The civilian word is first, the police version second.
Go to --------------------- Respond to
Fight --------------------- Disturbance
Car ----------------------- Vehicle
Person -------------------- Party
Kids ---------------------- Juveniles
Ticket -------------------- Summons
Yes ----------------------- Affirmative
No ------------------------ Negative
Wait ---------------------- Stand by
Copy ---------------------- I understand
I'm on the way ---------- I'm in route
Got out of the car ------ Exited the vehicle
Tow truck --------------- Hook
Another thing to remember is most police don't call a bad guy a "perp", they call them suspects. In court, they call them defendants and when detained, they are arrestees. A particularly evil bad guy might elicit a "dirt bag" comment from an officer, but only if he isn't able to be overhear by a superior or the press.
Much of this "lingo" comes from the manner in which they have to write their reports. Because they have to be articulate and very formal, they tend to speak the way they write.
Radio Talk
Police spend a lot of time talking to each other, and to dispatch, on their radios. It is the easiest, and most convenient, method of communication. Most police radio conversations are in plain English, but they do have some "standard" codes they use when on the radio. Not all departments use these codes, but most do.
Code Two Regular response, no emergency.
Code Three Use lights and sirens. This is used when officers need back up quickly, but are still in control.
Code Four I'm okay. Officers will use this one to make sure a fellow officer is all right, or to let other officers know they are fine.
Code Eight Office needs assistance. This is used when an officer is in immediate danger; drawing fire, been wounded or being attacked.
Remember, these codes can vary from department to department, so if you aren't sure what the law enforcement in your story's area would use, then create your own codes. You can use these as a guide to come up with your own codes.
If you want to hear real police officers in action, Discovery Channel has several real-life police shows. One wonderful show is The First 48, which shows police men and women in action.
How your detective looks and acts will help bring him to life for your reader. Make him sound like a cop and your story will walk and talk like a policeman.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Happy Writing!
darkin
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Here are some items I found while traveling the highways and byways of Writing.Com!
| |  | The Watch (E)
A watch found at the antique shop leads to a discovery of lives well lived.
#984236 by Nanapockets   |
| |  | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#995756 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#969173 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#398740 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1240479 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1251195 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1241827 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1245412 by Not Available. |
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This item number is not valid.
#1017198 by Not Available. |
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This item number is not valid.
#1238086 by Not Available. |
| | | Invalid Item
This item number is not valid.
#1256183 by Not Available. |
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
Don't forget to support our sponsor!
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Thank you for taking the time to read, and hopefully enjoy, this weeks newsletter. Here is some of the feedback I received from my last issue
darkin
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Submitted By: dejavu_BIG computerprobs 
Submitted Comment:
Hi Demon squirrel of doom, Fantastic Newsletter ! This months issue gave me a whole list of information for my new novel, I see another draft coming on. You have a knack for coming up with information just when we need it most. Thank you for all your hard work in this newsletter, I always look forward to each issue.
SM Ferguson
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Submitted By: likenion
Submitted Comment:
Hey Darkin,
Great newsletter on detectives! I never paid that much attention on the small details that go with being a detective and this newsletter will help me so much with it.
Now I will know what to use and what to withhold on purpose. Great job!
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Submitted By: Vivian 
Submitted Comment:
Darkin, thank you for this very usable list of items to have for detectives. I've printed it and added it to my mystery file. ~~ Viv
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Submitted By: billwilcox
Submitted Comment:
Man, Darkin, if my detective had all that stuff he wouldn't need to solve the mystery...he'd be one. Crime-fighters today carry more gizmos than Batman's utility belt.
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| ASIN: B07YJZZGW4 |
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