Officer's Testimony
If you ever testify in court, you might wish you could have been as sharp as this policeman. He
was being cross-examined by a defense attorney during a felony trial. The lawyer was trying to
undermine the policeman's credibility...

Q: 'Officer -- did you see my client fleeing the scene?'
A: 'No sir. But I subsequently observed a person matching the description of the offender,
running several blocks away.'
Q: 'Officer -- who provided this description?'
A: 'The officer who responded to the scene.'
Q: 'A fellow officer provided the description of this so-called offender. Do you trust your
fellow officers?'
A: 'Yes, sir. With my life.'
Q: 'With your life? Let me ask you this then officer. Do you have a room where you change your
clothes in preparation for your daily duties?'
A: 'Yes sir, we do!'
Q: 'And do you have a locker in the room?'
A: 'Yes sir, I do.'
Q: 'And do you have a lock on your locker?'
A: 'Yes sir.'
Q: 'Now why is it, officer, if you trust your fellow officers with your life, you find it
necessary to lock your locker in a room you share with these same officers?'
A: 'You see, sir -- we share the building with the court complex, and sometimes lawyers have been
known to walk through that room.'

The courtroom erupted in laughter, and a prompt recess was called. The officer on the stand has
been nominated for this year's 'Best Comeback' line -- and we think he'll win.

category: law and order  date entered: 2008-04-11