#139 - Cop Stories: Practical Jokes

Published on July 8, 2022
Duration: 26:33

This episode of the Guns Magazine Podcast features a humorous discussion between host Brent Wheat and Special Assignments Editor Roy Huntington about practical jokes within law enforcement. They share anecdotes from their time on the force, detailing pranks involving police cars, locker rooms, and office equipment. The conversation highlights the camaraderie and stress relief that these jokes provided, while also acknowledging that such antics are largely a thing of the past due to modern technology and increased scrutiny.

Quick Summary

Police officers historically used practical jokes to relieve stress and foster camaraderie, with common pranks involving police cars, locker rooms, and office equipment. These ranged from filling cars with blaring lights and sirens to more elaborate schemes like wiring dead fish to exhaust manifolds or filling lockers with popcorn. While these jokes were a significant part of law enforcement culture, they are now rare due to increased surveillance and accountability.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro & Sponsor
  2. 01:08Cop Practical Jokes Discussion Begins
  3. 02:43Car Door Handle Pranks
  4. 04:49Drunk Driving Squad Stories
  5. 06:13Car in Dumpster Prank
  6. 07:46Car Lights & Sirens Prank
  7. 10:48Computer Messaging Pranks
  8. 11:44Desk Drawer Swapping Prank
  9. 13:17Confetti in Car Vents Prank
  10. 15:49Roadkill in Car Prank
  11. 16:45Dead Fish on Exhaust Manifold Prank
  12. 18:30Sex Toy Locker Prank
  13. 19:17Dispatcher's Photo Album Prank
  14. 21:35Popcorn Locker Prank
  15. 24:01Modern Law Enforcement & Pranks
  16. 24:30Closing Thoughts & Outro

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of practical jokes did police officers play on each other?

Police officers engaged in a variety of pranks, including packing kennels' contents or KY Jelly under car door handles, filling unlocked cars with blaring lights and sirens, driving cars into dumpsters, and wiring dead fish to exhaust manifolds. More elaborate jokes involved filling lockers with popcorn or rigging items to pop out of lockers. Some pranks, like modifying a dispatcher's photo album or using potent substances in car vents, were more extreme.

Why did police officers play practical jokes on each other?

These practical jokes served as a crucial outlet for stress relief and a way to build camaraderie within law enforcement units. They provided humor and a sense of shared experience, especially during demanding shifts or in the face of difficult situations. The jokes were often a sign of a strong bond between officers, allowing them to playfully tease and test each other.

Are police practical jokes still common today?

No, practical jokes of the kind discussed are largely a thing of the past in law enforcement. The widespread adoption of surveillance technology like cameras and GPS, coupled with increased accountability and a shift in workplace culture, makes such activities far riskier and less likely to occur. Modern officers often express surprise at the nature of older pranks.

What was the most extreme police prank mentioned?

One of the most extreme pranks involved modifying a dispatcher's family photo album with explicit images. This prank had a deeply unfortunate and inappropriate resurfacing when the modified album was inadvertently distributed at her husband's funeral, highlighting a prank that crossed significant ethical and emotional boundaries.

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