Cops can only operate within their own borders (like a NY cop cannot enforce the law in Canada) unless they’re granted special permission from Ottawa to the White House on catching high profile fugitives, even then: their powers are limited in order not to violate their sovereignty. Would their badge hold any weight while they are overseas (who have their own judiciary)?

That’s only speaking on official terms: but, what happens if an American on vacation (like off duty sheriff) witnesses or encounters criminal activity while they’re abroad? Are they allowed to detain that person or do they have to eventually turn them over to local authorities? For instance, they could flex a LAPD badge in Japan, but is that valid or considered null?

  • beliquititious@lemmy.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    12·
    7 days ago

    Cops don’t even have the ability to enforce laws of the United States outside their jurisdiction. That New York cop you mentioned couldn’t arrest/detain/engage a criminal if they were on vacation in LA. Depending on the place some departments might allow it, but just as often they get annoyed.

    There used to be a retired sheriff in my neighborhood growing up who maintained his peace officer license. He had lights and a siren on his personal vehicle and would pull people over and ticket them. The local court though would just dismiss everything he issued.

    Abroad it would depend heavily on the location, but it seems unlikely many countries would tolerate a foreign law enforcement officer doing anything related to police work. There are all sorts of treaties and agreements about that sort of thing so likely a vacationing cop would create an international incident if they tried anything. I’m sure in some situations like murder or sexual assault they might get a pass, but it seems unlikely.