Knife as a duty weapon?

[Redman]

How does your department feel about you carrying a knife specifically for a last result weapon? If you did use a knife as a weapon, wouldn't you face a lawsuit? (assuming that you weren't trained to use the knife as a weapon)

[TX-LEO]

I can use anything as a weapon if I want, if exigent circumstances present themselves, including the pen I use to write citations.

[mobrien316]

If the situation came down to either use your knife or get killed, are you going to be concerned about a lawsuit afterwards?

[Redman]

If the situation came down to either use your knife or get killed, are you going to be concerned about a lawsuit afterwards?

Of course not. I thought this could be a reason why some departments would not allow officers to carry one. I'm not talking about a pocket knife or a leatherman that most officers carry as a tool, but a fixed blade knife on the duty belt specifically for a backup weapon.

[smcc360]

Of course not. I thought this could be a reason why some departments would not allow officers to carry one. I'm not talking about a pocket knife or a leatherman that most officers carry as a tool, but a fixed blade knife on the duty belt specifically for a weapon.

Hmm. I'd be more concerned with the inevitable nickname I'd get from my co-workers if I were to start strutting around with a Gil Hibben Signature Edition Pig-Poker on my hip.

"Hey, Stabby. Check and advise on a 10-20 at 146 and Broadway."

[Rabbit23]

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...og&style=KN337

I, along with others in my department occasionally carry this.

[paternoster2012]

I keep blade on my left ankle. Nothing mentioned in dept policy. A BUG must be approved and you must shoot a qual course with it prior to carrying it.
I'd be worried about having a blade on my belt in a struggle as the offender is going to focus on the gun or randomly grab items on the belt. If they find the knife your day just got alot worse.

[cntryboy0531]

My dept doesn't care. I carry one huge on in my car, and a smaller one concealed on my person.

[mobrien316]

"Hey, Stabby. Check and advise on a 10-20 at 146 and Broadway."

That cracked me up!

I got to use that at roll call with one of the guys... "Hey, Stabby Joe. You're sector three tonight."

Rep enroute!

[TPDHellhound]

How does your department feel about you carrying a knife specifically for a last result weapon? If you did use a knife as a weapon, wouldn't you face a lawsuit? (assuming that you weren't trained to use the knife as a weapon)

We can carry one... as long as it's concealed. It's out of our uniform policy. Two weeks ago we had an officer get into a fight (he's a big guy too!). The suspect tore his gun from the crappy holsters we carry and had it pressed to his chest. The officer used one hand to support the gun (so the suspect couldn't fire it) and the other to grab for his knife.

Unfortunately he couldn't reach it, so he just beat the suspect unconscious!! (I know it's anti-climactic, but it's my only knife story! :D )

As far as it being a liability issue... everything we do carries a certain amount of liability. This would be the same amount as if we shot the suspect. If you have to resort to a knife, you've probably exhausted all other means and you're fighting for your life. I'll take the lawsuit over death any day!

[chewy]

How does your department feel about you carrying a knife specifically for a last result weapon? If you did use a knife as a weapon, wouldn't you face a lawsuit? (assuming that you weren't trained to use the knife as a weapon)

Absolutely prohibited in our agency... Of course, you CAN have a knife on you and, if you get into a deadly force situation you are authorized anything you can grab in order to save your life or that of other Officers BUT you can't carry a knife specifically AS a weapon. It's all about how you word it.

[LA5150]

Most officers on my department carry a knife or two, for a few reasons: In addition to it being a back-up weapon of last resort, we use it as a lock-bypass device (so handy for security gates), and to cut people out of seatbelts, among other uses.

As others have mentioned, pretty much anything goes during a deadly force encounter. I've heard of an officer stabbing someone with their pencil during a fight for his life. I don't know what the administrative findings were on his case, but as he is the one who told me the story and is still on the job, I'm assuming the department was okay with it in the end. Maybe his record has a small blemish from the incident, but he is still alive and on the job, so that's really what matters.

[Super Six 5]

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...og&style=KN337

I, along with others in my department occasionally carry this.

The woman bought me one of those

[deputywave]

There was a guy in my squad at the academy who carried a knife on his belt. It looked like the knife Rambo carried. Even the instructors started calling him Rambo.

[Valor55]

http://www.galls.com/style.html?asso...og&style=KN337

I, along with others in my department occasionally carry this.

I have one strapped to my vest. Our policy says we aren't allowed to carry backup weapons. I'm carrying it in case I need to cut a seatbelt. :rolleyes: