Misleading or Misnomer?

In the Criminal Justice world, there is an old saying;  the pen is mightier than the sword. The first lesson in the Police Academy is "Report Writing". We are only allowed to use certain words to describe certain things.  Believe it or not, they frown on creativity.

Granted, a person who may have committed a crime or is suspected of committing a crime, may be called a suspect  ...   or a perpetrator. A victim is always a victim. Of course, not every officer may be able to accurately define "probable cause" but we all know that there is ONLY probable cause. We don't have special probable cause or enhanced probable cause. Just doesn't happen. Either you have it or not. Its probable cause, period.

So why do we use "enhanced pat down"?

I have yet to find it in a dictionary. The word "enhanced" is there. It's defined by  thefreedictionary.com  as "to make greater, as in value or effectiveness. To provide with improved or advanced features".

Remember the First Lesson? Have we made up created a new word just to soothe the masses? Follow along with me. I believe the choice of "enhanced pat down" is more politician friendly than the proper terminology.  Unless the individuals responsible for this term have chosen to use it to be  ...  misleading. It is a possibility but I doubt we will ever find out. In the next post, we will look for our leading lady,   ...  
Miss Nomer.





As in misnomer.

Don't forget. There are a thousand personal experiences out there that are worth sharing. Write to me.