Off Duty

[marinepilot]

I look at it this way, better to be a live, good witness than a dead off-duty cop not able to help anyone. I do carry at all times off-duty, but as someone above said, more for the protection of me and my family as I've arrested some real doozies out there, and I've actually seen some of them out on bail when off-duty.

But in no way do I believe that I should intervene in anything other than an extremely violent forcible felony where someones life may be in danger when off-duty. I've got the office on my cell phone and can easily get an on-duty officer there should the situation warrant it.

I do, however, stop whenever I see an accident, or someone changing a tire on the side of the road, and stuff like that. But I did that before I was a LEO.

[G35 Mass]

I don't feel like I'm working 24/7, but I act differently at all times compared to before I was a LEO. Some things in terms of personal safety (carrying a gun, a lot more aleret when in public). Some things in terms of how I handle situations (a lot LESS apt to get involved and more apt to be a good witness, etc.)

Interesting note: the more involved in LE I got, the less I made it seem like I was LE.

Part-time dispatcher: TBL stickers / plates, sweatshirts with ____ POLICE on the back.
Full-time dispatcher: Discrete local union sticker, shirt with small embroidered logo
Full-time LEO: No stickers. No shirts. Badge in my front-left pocket separate from the rest of my wallet. No one has a clue, it stays that way.

[lawduck]

The only time I've ever intervened in something off duty is when me and my old lady were walking into the county fair. I noticed a guy in the parking lot that BARELY made it to his truck without falling on his face. This guy was HAMMERED drunk at about 1900 hours and he was trying to get into his truck. I was thinking to myself, "There's no way me as a human being can let this guy drive off and go to sleep tonight." I went and identified myself with my ID. It was really weird feeling since I wasn't in uniform....I was actually kind of nervous. And I never get nervous in dealing with a drunk on duty. I reassured him that I wasn't just harassing him. I told him to hang tight and called the local police. Two officers were on scene in less than a minute and they gladly arrested him for PI. I reassured them that I didn't call stuff in off duty. I felt stupid because the last thing I like to hear on the radio is "an off duty officer is..." (whatever he's calling in). I told them I was sorry for bothering them but my conscience wouldn't let this guy drive off. They were really cool about it.

A co-worker of mine held two car burglars at gun point at a business district parking lot near Houston, TX. He was out shopping and had his Glock with him. He observed them hitting on cars with a hammer (checking for alarms he guesses). He then watched them and they started breaking into a car. Responding officers got there and charged them with Criminal Instruments and something else. Got damn I hate burglars. I'd definitely step in and stop a burglar. I HATE THEM.

[tcop733]

Buddy I once worked with was on his way home to the Houston area from northeast Texas. It was about 2 or 3 in the AM and he decided he was too tired to continue the trip. He made it to north Harris County then pulled off the road to get a few minutes of shut eye. He was awakened a few moments later by two black males armed with rifles. They had him exit his pickup and talked with him at the back of his truck, demanding he give them his wallet. He knew if he gave them his wallet he would be dead where he stood (ID and badge inside), so he told them it was in his center console.
These not so bright robbers stayed at the back of the truck while he calmly opened his center console and obtained his service weapon.
Both robbers were justifiably shot and killed by him.

[Get_Some]

Buddy I once worked with was on his way home to the Houston area from northeast Texas. It was about 2 or 3 in the AM and he decided he was too tired to continue the trip. He made it to north Harris County then pulled off the road to get a few minutes of shut eye. He was awakened a few moments later by two black males armed with rifles. They had him exit his pickup and talked with him at the back of his truck, demanding he give them his wallet. He knew if he gave them his wallet he would be dead where he stood (ID and badge inside), so he told them it was in his center console.
These not so bright robbers stayed at the back of the truck while he calmly opened his center console and obtained his service weapon.
Both robbers were justifiably shot and killed by him.

NICE. That's one BAMF right there.

[Get_Some]

Buddy I once worked with was on his way home to the Houston area from northeast Texas. It was about 2 or 3 in the AM and he decided he was too tired to continue the trip. He made it to north Harris County then pulled off the road to get a few minutes of shut eye. He was awakened a few moments later by two black males armed with rifles. They had him exit his pickup and talked with him at the back of his truck, demanding he give them his wallet. He knew if he gave them his wallet he would be dead where he stood (ID and badge inside), so he told them it was in his center console.
These not so bright robbers stayed at the back of the truck while he calmly opened his center console and obtained his service weapon.
Both robbers were justifiably shot and killed by him.

I guess that's what you always keep 1 in the chamber. I dont have my conceal to carry yet but I always thought about how I'd keep the pistol loaded.

[Safety Steve]

I guess that's what you always keep 1 in the chamber. I dont have my conceal to carry yet but I always thought about how I'd keep the pistol loaded.

What's the purpose of having a pistol that is not loaded? I guess you could throw it at the bad guy like a rock!


Be Safe.

[retdetsgt]

A friend of mine and I broke up a fight once on the street.

Oddly enough, for a guy who hated working traffic the other one was a DUI. Not an ordinary DUI, this guy was nearly comatose and driving. I was headed home and outside the city when I got behind this guy. He did stop a red light (which surprised me) and I got out, badged him and pulled him out of the car. This was pre cell phones so I asked a guy who slowed down to call the S.O. A deputy showed up and tried to tell me there was nothing he could do so I told him, fine. I got in my car and went on home. He could do what he wanted with him.

[Get_Some]

What's the purpose of having a pistol that is not loaded? I guess you could throw it at the bad guy like a rock!


Be Safe.

Well having it loaded, but not cocked back. That split second to get a bullet in the chamber could be costly.

[Citicop]

Well having it loaded, but not cocked back. That split second to get a bullet in the chamber could be costly.

Unless you're carrying a 1911, most modern autos are either DA/SA or DAO. Keeping the hammer "cocked back" while carrying is pointless and possibly dangerous depending on the safety configuration on the gun.

[G35 Mass]

This is EXACTLY why my badge and dept ID are in my front left pocket of my pants, alone, at all times. My wallet or money clip are in my front right pocket, far away from my tin. I don't want that thing being flashed every time I'm buying a drink at the bar, and I certainly don't want that thing being flashed next time I'm the victim of another armed robery.