72 hour law?

[worriedmom]

Is it true that an officer that has fired his/her gun has to take a 72 hour leave before returning to active duty?

[Switchback]

It depends on departmental policy.

We have no such policy. When killing a person, a supervisor may put a person on leave.

...another tidbit of ino...only an agency supervisor may assume custody of the weapon of USMS personnel. We are not authorized to give it to locals on scene (very upsetting to some departments), but have to wait until a supervisor arrives and assumes custody of it.

[BHG]

depends on the departments SOP

[corporal716]

No set time where I worked.

[TheGodFather21]

It justs really depends on your department's policy and procedure. When a person has been killed alot of departments want the officer evaluated by by psychologist now.

[mcsap]

Most departments will put the officer on either paid leave or desk duty with a mandatory appointment to see the dept shrink. It is a good idea, killing another human being is or certainly can be traumatic to the officer. And it shouldn't be assumed that the officer is OK to go back and hit the street.

OK, I should add that I was referring to an officer shooting and killing someone, NOT just shooting his firearm. I have shot deer and other assorted animals for various reasons , namely hit by a car. We do not have any mandatory time off for this. Just go get another round at the end of your shift.

[steelcityk9cop]

72 hours off......hmmm..... where is a racoon or deer when you need one.

[Samuel]

I don't see anything in the original question specifying any circumstances/results of the supposed firing of a gun...

I once had a 3 day weekend after qualifying with my duty weapon at the range. I guess you could say I took a 72 hour leave...

[Sleuth]

The time off requirment and/or allowance is usually to allow the officer to decompress from a critical incident. Due to certian high stress reactions, such as auditory or visual exclusion, statements made right after an incident may be inconsistant with the evidence. The most common is: "How many rounds did you fire? 2. But we found 7 pieces of brass at the scene."

After my critical incident, I declined to make any statement for 24 hours. I felt OK, but I used to teach PTSD classes, and for once took my own advice! My report help me win the wrongful death lawsuit.

PTSD = Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

[goldstargirl]

Im my department it is a 3 day minimum. The weapon is taken by supervisors, and the deputy is placed on maditory paid admin leave. There might also be a release by a phycologist as well.