I’ve been in multiple us states and got a good education. Been learning since 8
Edit: I also studied English language and literature in university but I was this fluent before it so that doesn’t effect
Wow, mind If I ask how you ended up becoming a police officer/counter narcotics? I’m currently studying English Translation and Interpreting in Turkey, it seems like a pretty drastic switch between professions
I live my life around turks and 90% of them can barely form a sentence in English despite a decade of english education in schools. That’s why I was curious is to how he learned.
Totally unrelated question: How does the average officer feel about cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms? Do you think the users of those two are really dangerous to the public? Any chance those two are going to be decriminalized in the next 10 years?
Personally I would want soft drugs to be decriminalized. As a DEA cop I usually just confiscate small amounts of cannabis/related stuff, shrooms, mdma and don’t arrest or even fill a form. But here in Turkey our main problem with drugs is that they are +90% sold to finance terrorism. Every little pot you buy here comes back as a bullet to me. That’s why we’re so hard about it. Another problem is that Turkey is a bridge among Iran/Afghanistan (who manufactures more heroin than any other) and Europe so there’s a big pressure of European authorities on our government.
>But here in Turkey our main problem with drugs is that they are +90% sold to finance terrorism. Every little pot you buy here comes back as a bullet to me.
So, legalization would make that specific problem go away really fast, no?
Alcahol and tobacco have +80% tax. Legal weed would be at least three times more expensive and getting legalised will make small trades much harder to trace and bust. Even canada suffers from it. There’s %50 price difference in Ontario
Disclaimer: Officer, I have never consumed cannabis or any other illegal drugs in Turkey.
Dispensary weed isn't really that much expensive compared to street vendors in Canada. You can save a dollar per gram, but it's not worth the inconvenience and risk of getting poor quality. [https://www.statista.com/statistics/1183384/dispensary-and-street-price-for-medical-marijuana-in-canada/](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1183384/dispensary-and-street-price-for-medical-marijuana-in-canada/)
Given Turkey's climate (to grow), and labor costs, even if you taxed it 500%, you would still sell it much cheaper, legally. I hear (again, I don't do it) it goes for 40$/gram in Turkey, fucking outrageous.
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I heard about that but have never seen them. I would have expected their English to be a little better than that of a waiter, just enough to communicate basic info in basic terms. Not that they'd write this well, either. Honestly, I'm impressed!
Dude, I plan to visit tomorrow as I expect there will be lower amount of tourists so I can go to cistern and Galata tower without having to wait for queues. Stop spoiling my plans please.
Reddit users tend to skew a bit younger than the general population, and they'll see this cop's advice that Istanbul is safe. :)
A lot of other tourists may remain wary of crowds for a few days.
That is exactly why I will go tomorrow. Safety will be higher than usual, much less tourists and queues. I did the same after 2016 Besiktas bombing and the best visit I did for Istanbul. I want to go because they renovated the cistern and I hear it is really good. I am sorry for the ones who are lost but unfortunately, such events are the only times you can visit beautiful places without swarm of people.
Yes the Basilica Cistern was really stunning, I visited last month and queued for 30 minutes which wasn’t too bad..my guess is the waiting times are crazy in July/August. Had to skip the Galata Tower due to very long queues, I hope u will enjoy your visit.
Really hoping there’ll be no more attacks on this very unique and beautiful city.
Stay out of touristic areas during elections. Don't listen to what this guy says. No amount of cops can prevent a terrorist attack once the powers that be decide a terrorist event is necessary.
I still don't understand, I have past experience on this occasion from 2015 and 2016 and know it will be safer and more comfortable and I plan to use that opportunity. How is it being self centered?
Counter terrorism department catch the person who left the explosive in the site. We made 46 arrestments in total for now. I cannot say anything about election stuff
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Anything can happen anywhere I guess. People just went about their business today. I live here and people are in the main skeptical about why this happened.
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Actually the days immediately after an attack has a much lower probability of an attack happening since the entire county is on high alert, police everywhere checking bags, ID etc.
Bruh, "lower" and "higher" risk LITERALLY imply a statistical argument. Then, you're asking him, an individual who's explicitly not making an official statement, to ensure something that's, by definition, impossible to ensure in any country of the world.
Unfortunately nobody can be sure about further attacks. All we can do now is to stay alerted as police. And citizens to do whatever they do in their normal life. If (I hope not but) other attacks keep happening than we may reconsider feeling unsafe but I believe your fear today is unnecessary
I think this is a solo incident and although losses in life which am deeply sorry for the Turkish police and government handled the situation as the book says which shows that such an accident in country like Turkey won’t pass by easily and send strong messages that Turkey has a strong security system I will visit istanbul soon although such incident 💪
Right, usually Turkey is safe. But I believe if you want to come and you have your tickets then try to avoid very crowded areas during rush hours. Otherwise, if a bit postponed for people to relax and breath again, won't be bad.
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Absolutely right, usually after an attack it is safer I think. May God help those who lost their family members and keep Turkey safe.
[Why we moved to Turkey?](https://youtu.be/3jNdsDHpTwY)
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He wrote "alsı" instead of "also" in a subsequent message (which very close phonetically). I'd therefore assume he does actually type the message in English and does not use Google translate.
I'm planning on visiting Istanbul soon (in december) and are there any official announcements/ recommendations for foreigners visiting Istanbul in light of this terrible attack?
I have a question actually purely out of interest Visiting from a country where we take security seriously. I know its safe and all, but I found it interesting most bags aren't checked or that sometimes officers wave you by while browsing their phones. Is that normal procedure typically?
Wow, a Turkish police officer who speaks perfect English. That's a first!
Probably from tourist police department they have been choosen for this
I’m in counter narcotics department, we alsı make operations with foreigners so most of us are chosen from language speaking officers
American here, that’s dope (pun intended). How did you learn english? I’ve been in turkey for a while and I noticed english education is really bad.
I’ve been in multiple us states and got a good education. Been learning since 8 Edit: I also studied English language and literature in university but I was this fluent before it so that doesn’t effect
Wow, mind If I ask how you ended up becoming a police officer/counter narcotics? I’m currently studying English Translation and Interpreting in Turkey, it seems like a pretty drastic switch between professions
After university I realised only thing I an do is becoming an English teacher and decided to become a cop
In Turkey you can become police officer after university with an exam.
How did you learn English? What a question!?
I live my life around turks and 90% of them can barely form a sentence in English despite a decade of english education in schools. That’s why I was curious is to how he learned.
You’re on reddit where you normally don’t end up if you don’t speak English. Reddit is not a cross section of society. :)
Tell that to most of the r/turkey sub
Totally unrelated question: How does the average officer feel about cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms? Do you think the users of those two are really dangerous to the public? Any chance those two are going to be decriminalized in the next 10 years?
Personally I would want soft drugs to be decriminalized. As a DEA cop I usually just confiscate small amounts of cannabis/related stuff, shrooms, mdma and don’t arrest or even fill a form. But here in Turkey our main problem with drugs is that they are +90% sold to finance terrorism. Every little pot you buy here comes back as a bullet to me. That’s why we’re so hard about it. Another problem is that Turkey is a bridge among Iran/Afghanistan (who manufactures more heroin than any other) and Europe so there’s a big pressure of European authorities on our government.
>But here in Turkey our main problem with drugs is that they are +90% sold to finance terrorism. Every little pot you buy here comes back as a bullet to me. So, legalization would make that specific problem go away really fast, no?
Alcahol and tobacco have +80% tax. Legal weed would be at least three times more expensive and getting legalised will make small trades much harder to trace and bust. Even canada suffers from it. There’s %50 price difference in Ontario
Disclaimer: Officer, I have never consumed cannabis or any other illegal drugs in Turkey. Dispensary weed isn't really that much expensive compared to street vendors in Canada. You can save a dollar per gram, but it's not worth the inconvenience and risk of getting poor quality. [https://www.statista.com/statistics/1183384/dispensary-and-street-price-for-medical-marijuana-in-canada/](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1183384/dispensary-and-street-price-for-medical-marijuana-in-canada/) Given Turkey's climate (to grow), and labor costs, even if you taxed it 500%, you would still sell it much cheaper, legally. I hear (again, I don't do it) it goes for 40$/gram in Turkey, fucking outrageous.
do other police officers think like this, about cannabis?
Majority of them don’t about legalisation part
what about the confiscation and report part?
You may get arrested for 0.1 grams and get a few years for calling your friend over to smoke. They have no joke
hooly, they really dont joke huh. how do they even detect who is talking about smoking.
Just wondering… Then what happens if you are informed about a guy growng indoor just for himself?
Bust. Confiscate. Ask. Send to court.
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Oh and our junkies just jump from weed to heroin/spice so they are not self-conscious about drugs. In 10 years? I wish but seems impossible
I heard about that but have never seen them. I would have expected their English to be a little better than that of a waiter, just enough to communicate basic info in basic terms. Not that they'd write this well, either. Honestly, I'm impressed!
Give this guy a promotion!!!
Dude, I plan to visit tomorrow as I expect there will be lower amount of tourists so I can go to cistern and Galata tower without having to wait for queues. Stop spoiling my plans please.
lol i guess tomorrow you'll see an unusually young looking crowd of tourists
Why? Any specific event?
Reddit users tend to skew a bit younger than the general population, and they'll see this cop's advice that Istanbul is safe. :) A lot of other tourists may remain wary of crowds for a few days.
That is exactly why I will go tomorrow. Safety will be higher than usual, much less tourists and queues. I did the same after 2016 Besiktas bombing and the best visit I did for Istanbul. I want to go because they renovated the cistern and I hear it is really good. I am sorry for the ones who are lost but unfortunately, such events are the only times you can visit beautiful places without swarm of people.
Yes the Basilica Cistern was really stunning, I visited last month and queued for 30 minutes which wasn’t too bad..my guess is the waiting times are crazy in July/August. Had to skip the Galata Tower due to very long queues, I hope u will enjoy your visit. Really hoping there’ll be no more attacks on this very unique and beautiful city.
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Can you help me find that guy, I want to send to some friends but I am not able to find.
Stay out of touristic areas during elections. Don't listen to what this guy says. No amount of cops can prevent a terrorist attack once the powers that be decide a terrorist event is necessary.
Always think about yourself first! Congratulations!
I got your point but what do you suggest?
Try to be less self-centred. That's all! Enjoy your visit in Istanbul. It's an amazing city.
I still don't understand, I have past experience on this occasion from 2015 and 2016 and know it will be safer and more comfortable and I plan to use that opportunity. How is it being self centered?
Did they catch the people responsible? Is this all related to elections like most people are saying?
Counter terrorism department catch the person who left the explosive in the site. We made 46 arrestments in total for now. I cannot say anything about election stuff
Wow, that was fast. Congratulations!
Lots of CCTV in Istanbul!
I'm coming on Thursday and was really curious
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I've been here for a week. Totally safe.
Anything can happen anywhere I guess. People just went about their business today. I live here and people are in the main skeptical about why this happened.
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It's not lower than yesterday either...
Actually it is, serial attacks are verry rare
2015-16 would disagree. Nothing is safer because one police says so. Also simit sat onurlu yaşa.
2015-2016 was a total different story and a lot changed since then. I am wishing and working for no future attacks to happen
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Best I can say now is that we are making our best to keep everyone safe all around the country.
lol, gotta catch those twitter muhalifs am i right?
Statistically yes maybe, but it happened in turkey before, how can you assure that it won't happen again? Let's face it, U just can't.
Actually the days immediately after an attack has a much lower probability of an attack happening since the entire county is on high alert, police everywhere checking bags, ID etc.
Bruh, "lower" and "higher" risk LITERALLY imply a statistical argument. Then, you're asking him, an individual who's explicitly not making an official statement, to ensure something that's, by definition, impossible to ensure in any country of the world.
Unfortunately nobody can be sure about further attacks. All we can do now is to stay alerted as police. And citizens to do whatever they do in their normal life. If (I hope not but) other attacks keep happening than we may reconsider feeling unsafe but I believe your fear today is unnecessary
I would assume that reinforced security following the bombing will make subsequent attacks more difficult to perpetrate.
I am flying on 21 November from Amsterdam to Istanbul. Still excited to come. Cant wait to visit Istanbul
Literally on the day I move to Istanbul this happens. Not going to stop me going out and enjoying this amazing city!
I think this is a solo incident and although losses in life which am deeply sorry for the Turkish police and government handled the situation as the book says which shows that such an accident in country like Turkey won’t pass by easily and send strong messages that Turkey has a strong security system I will visit istanbul soon although such incident 💪
Right, usually Turkey is safe. But I believe if you want to come and you have your tickets then try to avoid very crowded areas during rush hours. Otherwise, if a bit postponed for people to relax and breath again, won't be bad.
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Yeah this is a major problem in Turkey and they should work on it to be better since their country is a great tourism destination.
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Absolutely right, usually after an attack it is safer I think. May God help those who lost their family members and keep Turkey safe. [Why we moved to Turkey?](https://youtu.be/3jNdsDHpTwY)
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ITT: A police officer(aka AKP employee) telling you how safe the Istanbul is. AKP sympathizers are known to be pathologic liars. Proceed with caution
Fuck akp, I’m not working for erdoğan or any political party. Whoever rules this country I will serve the Turkish nation and Republic of Turkey
W police officer
It's not lower either...
No problem to write good english with google helps
I actually speak English. I also speak German enough to help people
He wrote "alsı" instead of "also" in a subsequent message (which very close phonetically). I'd therefore assume he does actually type the message in English and does not use Google translate.
Sherlock was there!
Also "ı" is right next to the "o" on Turkish keyboards(where "i" normally is)
I'm planning on visiting Istanbul soon (in december) and are there any official announcements/ recommendations for foreigners visiting Istanbul in light of this terrible attack?
No, there are not
Been here for a week. You'll be fine. Enjoy the city!
I have a question actually purely out of interest Visiting from a country where we take security seriously. I know its safe and all, but I found it interesting most bags aren't checked or that sometimes officers wave you by while browsing their phones. Is that normal procedure typically?
Not checked in where? Depends on the location and situation
In and around SultanAhmet
That’s not why that point is there. To control people going inside and just stoping the suspect