Off duty drug deals

[Integrity]

Ok, here in Canada we are a little more tolerant when it comes to Marijuana...however, it is still illegal to sell. When walking downtown it is not uncommon to pass a dealer asking if you want to 'go uptown' or 'need bud'.

My question is...if you were walking through town off duty (keeping in mind in Canada off duty officers are unarmed) and were approached by a dealer/seller asking if you want to buy, what would you do...or what would the proper procedure be?

[Group9]

I arrest enough people on duty that I don't feel like I am screwing the taxpayers if I keep walking for something that piddly.

Whether to take action as an off duty LEO is really only a question when someone's life is in danger in my opinion. The rest of the time, it's generally a bad idea for a lot of reasons.

[Integrity]

Thanks!

[Deputy757]

Since it would in all likelihood be a felony here in KY, depending on various factors (cuffs, who was with me, who was with him, etc.), I might take action there and then. In all likelihood, I'd say no thanks and then call dispatch while watching him from a discreet distance. This would be the only thing I would do if I were not carrying a firearm.

[scott715us]

If in Canada, I would probably let him be. Down here in TN, I'm always armed, and he would be in cuffs until a zone car arrived. ;)

[sgtbear111]

Not knowing who, or how many, are with the guy offering the dope and being alone and off duty, keep walking. Two sides to a dope deal, and the bad guys may have some friends lurking.There might be some third party watching with intent to rob both of you. Robbing a dope dealer or dope customer is relatively common and and flashing police ID may bring some unexpected violent behavior further up the use-of-force scale. A lone off-duty cop, trying to act on a UDOCS (unlawful delivery of a controlled substance) alone, needs some serious retraining in survival skills. Such an incident should be dealt with by the on-duty gendarmes. Call it in right away, but remember that any drug transaction is very high-risk, and if you are off duty, you are not prepared or equipped to respond, period.

This is the kind of BS & crap for "Rambo" TV cop shows; makes as much sense as the "Steven Seagal stance" of firing your gun sideways.

[acreature]

If I am unarmed, which is rarely... no.

But I despise narcotics and would hook 'em for free.

[acreature]

wow, old thread yo

[retdetsgt]

I was given my authority because I passed a civil service test, not some ordination from God. When I was off duty, I was off duty unless there is something life threatening.

This is a job, not a life style.

[FloridaLEO]

Yeah; another "integrity" thread.

[marchaa]

The town I work in is small enough that I usually can call the duty car to respond. If that was not the case it would depend on who the bad guy was( small town again), where he was at. If my family was with me, ect. I am always armed that isn't a concern, all the other people around me that are ignorant to their surroundings is what concerns me.

[Sleuth]

" Local Officer Arrested in Undercover Drug Sting!"
What a great way to get popped by the SO, DEA, State Narcs, whoever. You have no backup, no supervisory approval, no nothing, so, you must be buying the drugs for yourself. Say:"Goodby career/pension."

[Joeyd6]

Ask him if he took this for paymenet and show my shield....and watch him run! LOL...
Just kidding...we have units for that. Just say no...get a photo on the cam phone and pass the intel along.

[fatboyjim154]

I'm unarmed all day every day. I do get the odd (ODD is an understatement) dealer ask if i'm interested.

Depending on the situation, I normally just flash my badge and watch 'em swallow & run like loons to get away :D