Any more info on this please CasualSoul?

Hundy 500

Here's a coin effect from Bobo's that may fit. "Thieves and Sheep".

Surprised no one has mentioned the old "Trick Handcuffs." Seems most appropriate...

I share the same thoughts/questions as Rjenkins.
The main problem may arise in the fact that this will problably turn into a challenge situation. So you are right by concluding that a VERY good rapport with the teenagers is essential.
I would not have the same wish as you if I were in your shoes, but if I had to do some magic I would choose a couple of things that would signal a strong disciplined but also magical character. For instance:
-Bent coin transpo.
-a fluent coinroll with a short coin flurry.
-the coin routine that is provided with the X-pert.
-The coin catching routine (from the elbow) as performed by Roger Klause.
-A simple but clean coin vanish with a coin attached on an black elastic.

Your magic, at it's best should not only portray yourself as a likable person, but also as someone (with a fascinating skill) behind the face of the "police-officer". And all that WITHOUT the challenging attitude...
Hard job, but I wish you all the best with it!!

Dear Scrivomcdivo:

I highly recommend Hopping Halves. I do not think that I saw this effect mentioned on this thread yet, but it seems right up your alley, and is a classic. The routines and themes that you can use are endless, the effect is pretty much flawless, and the impact/entertainment level is very high.

Basically, an English Penney and (in the States) an American Half Dollar are shown. You basically tell the audience that it is a 2 coin trick and that the coins hop around. You show both coins in your open hand.

I then remove the EP with my other hand and put it into my pocket and ask what coin is remaining in my now closed hand. They say the 1/2 dollar. You open your hand and both coins are there, the EP and 1/2 dollar. You then tell them that you will make it easier for them to understand, and remove the 1/2 dollar and put it into your pocket. You ask what coin is in the other closed hand, and they say the EP. You open your hand and both coins are there again.

You then remove the 1/2 dollar now from your open palm, leaving the EP clearly in sight and the only coin left. You close hand with EP and put 1/2 dollar coin in pocket with your other hand and ask what is left in closed hand. The spec says the EP. When you open hand, there are both coins again.

Now for the closer. You remove the EP from hand and put it into pocket and ask spec what coin(s) are left in closed hand. They will now either say 1/2 dollar, or after catching on say both coins. By the way, here I give the spec 3 choices and they will invarriably say that the closed hand has either both coins, the EP only, or the 1/2 dollar only. I often say, if being playful, that since I gave you 3 choices that pretty much cover every possibility, if you are wrong, you have to agree to.... (in your case go to a drug clinic, get help, whatever...)

You open you hands, and there are no coins in the hand! Of course, you win the bet.

This is very visual, unexpected, you are left clean and the reactions are fantastic.

Now, as I said depending on the audience, I modify the effect and actually tell a story with it. The story can be modified, but I can see you saying as a cop that if you can fool them after showing an effect 3 times and giving them 3 choices on the last try, will they agree to (do whatever good suggestion that you have for them). You can also tell them that things are not always as they appear, building a theme around that. If you ever get the effect, just PM me and I will give you theme suggestions, once you are familiar with the workings of the effect.

I think that this is one of the best gaffed coin effects out there, in my opinion. It is easy to carry, easy to reset, and easy to learn. The most common makers (affordable and well made) of the coins are Sterling and Johnson. The Johnson ones in my opinion, while costing more, are better made and worth the extra money.

I think that another poster gave you the Magic Warehouse as a place to get an effect. They also have both Stirling and Johnson Hopping Halves. Make sure if you want the Johnson ones that you specify this.

Best of luck. Bob

I would be very careful of doing anything not PC that may effect your job mate.
You are an officer of the law and as such you may damage your reputation and invalidate an arrest if not very careful.

You arrest me and show me a trick where a coin vanishes. My legal gets me off as you failed too follow protocol and also displayed deception.

As I say, Nice idea. Be careful!

If you could run a PNC on me you would see I know what I am talking about.

Dear Partizan:

This is not what is at issue. The police officer in his original post indicated not that he will be showing magic tricks to arrestees, but to kids on street who need help, and to warn teenagers about alcohol, etc... The post specifically says that he is already using magic as a way to "break down barriers" so that he can establish a "good relationship" with the teenagers, so that hopefully they will "respect" him. This has nothing to do with arrests, but a vehicle with which he can open a dialoge with troubled teens and gain their respect, before they find themselves arrested.

Even if he were to have arrested a person that he shows magic to, I can not imagine that a court would invalidate the probable cause needed for that arrest, if the PO thereafter was kind enough to entertain the arrestee with a magic show. Arrests are rarley invalidated even when the ugly spector of police brutality and other untoward conduct is proven. It would be impossible for me to believe that being entertaining would be any worse.

Now, I also know what I am talking about, as I am a Certified Criminal Defense Attorney, and for years was a Prosecutor. I am familiar with law from the UK to some extent, which is, as I am sure that you know, very similiar to the US which adopted much of its legal system from the UK. The interesting issue, however, would be after an arrest if the magic were shown to secure a confession. Let's say that the PO used magic and said to the arestee that if he does not confess he will use his magical power to make him disapear for life. It would be a novel issue, but at least in the US, it is clear that PO's do not have to be "gentlemen" with suspects, and can even lie to them and deceive them into making confessions, so long as the arestee knows that they have the right to remain silent and do not invoke that right prior to the confession. Even aggressive conduct (short of actual or threathned physical harm) is protected.

There are many times that the police lie to the suspect and tell them that they have evidence that they do not have, make promises that they have no intention to keep (like offers of lower sentences and/or that they will not charge them if they just tell the truth), etc... In any event, when used in the fashion that the PO posted he will use it, it could not possibly affect a case, as he did not say that he will do it with arrestees, but to troubled teens.

I think that what this PO is doing this is GREAT, very innovative, and one of the best uses of magic that I have heard, other than in 1986 when I sucessfully cast a spell on behalf of the NY Mets in the World Series, Game 6.

Regards, Bob.

I am just telling him too be careful and that it would be best for him too check with a senior officer first.

You been a bad boy in your time Partizan?

If only I could make some of the criminals I deal with disappear, having seen how their victims suffer. Having said that, I'd then be out of a job.

Well in a sense you do make them disappear... from society that is!

Really, check out the Hopping Halves, it seems to be right up your alley.

Good luck. Bob

Wrong places at the wrong times and helping out less capable victims. Always treated well by our guys and girls though.

You could go into entertainment. Seems a win/win if you get the first part done.

Judge Dredd now wears a tophat and cape over his armor?
Is that a peacemaker or magic wand?

I wonder if that thing shoots spongeballs?

How aboot you do a bullet catch with some heroic story behind it?

Scrivo, I love your attitude! I've been arrested loads of times (never convicted, I'm FAR too smart for that!) A policeman with your approach would have wowed me every time! Actually, I was always one of those kids who was really OK, but just needed the right guidance, the right approach, and someone with a ***ed clever brain to bring me into the light. Finally, I found that light on my own, but I know that you have what it takes, simply because you asked the question....
You will discover the right tricks for you, and then you will be making BIG changes in the lives of the kids you encounter. I wish you all the success in the world. Please read my PM.
Best wishes, Doug.

How about "Sinful"......street magic impact at its best.
Pop a signed coin into a soda can. You could even use the symbolism of the soda can being a jail etc.
They would remember this for a long time!

During DWI arrests I personally enjoy concluding SFSTs (Standardized Field Sobriety Tests...you know, the alphabet, walk-and-turn, finger-to-nose, the 'ol "was Mickey Mouse a Cat or a Dog?" question, etc.) with a complete vanish of a coin and then asking them which hand it is in.....

And, on a serious note, I have used my limited "cold reading" skills along with a simple swami and my business card to EXTREMELY great effect during interviews and interrogations.


Bryn