Question about corrections and firearms

[Slimyslipknot]

Im strongly looking into becoming a C/O in hopes to become a COP later down the road. But i was just wondering as a C/O Can you carry a fireArm off duty? if it requires something what is it? and how could i do it?

Also i was just wondering... i know C/O are NOT LEO but say you were in a store and off duty but you had your gun and badge on you and someone came in and tried to rob the place.. could you draw your gun and badge and take him down like a LEO and call for a real LEO to take him?

[drkknght]

Yes you can pull your firearm but only if you fear for your life, a customers life, or the clerks life is in danger but again this has nothing to do with being a C/O it is our rights as a civilian to defend ourselves.

If you were a C/O why would you want to flash your badge? All it will do here is get you in trouble and perhaps impersonation charges. I would leave the badge/ ID in your pocket until the police arrive and present if asked.

Personally if I had to pull my firearm on someone I am sure as hell not gonna run and struggle with the guy. IMHO that is probably the dumbest thing possible. Keep your gun drawn and take control of the person with verbal commands while keeping your distance. If the suspect runs oh well give the info to the police and keep yourself safe. If the person approaches you with a weapon despite your commands then do what you need to do to keep yourself safe.

I may not be 100% correct on everything and I am sure someone with more knowledge will correct it but this is what I have been told.

[Lawson]

I'm not sure what state you are in but here in Washington C/O's can carry a firearm off duty but it has nothing to do with them being a C/O. C/O's have just as much rights as a civilian does and is held under the same laws as the rest of us. If he/she wants carry concealed they must get a concealed weapons permit or they can carry openly because open carry is not illegal in this state however I do not suggest it.
...
I may not be 100% correct on everything and I am sure someone with more knowledge will correct it but this is what I have been told.

Actually being a CO has a lot to do with it. They are held as LEOs not as civilians.

Commissioned Correctional Officers generally do not require a Concealed Pistol License in Washington State.

The provisions of RCW 9.41.050 shall not apply to:

(1) Marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens or their deputies, or other law enforcement officers of this state or another state;

----------

As far as the OPs question:

A lot will have to do with your state. Some states recognize COs as LEOs, many do not. It will also depend on the type of commission your agency grants you and your agency's policies.

You likely arent going to get the training as a CO that an LEO would get to conduct a stop such as that. Im not saying it would be bad, but there's a lot of factors to take into consideration when dealing with a robbery, especially if off duty (i.e. no radio, no cuffs, no body armor, no less-lethals, etc...).

[drkknght]

Told you I would be corrected:D Do they have any authority off duty though? Kind of a separate question but I'm curious now.

[Slimyslipknot]

You likely arent going to get the training as a CO that an LEO would get to conduct a stop such as that. Im not saying it would be bad, but there's a lot of factors to take into consideration when dealing with a robbery, especially if off duty (i.e. no radio, no cuffs, no body armor, no less-lethals, etc...).

I understand what you mean about CO not being trained like a LEO.. but personally im trained for situations like that. Im also in the Army.

[Slimyslipknot]

If you were a C/O why would you want to flash your badge? All it will do here is get you in trouble and perhaps impersonation charges. I would leave the badge/ ID in your pocket until the police arrive and present if asked.

I know your not a REAL LEO.. you would think as a part of law enforcment your badge could be used for a situation like that to help you out.. i mean come on.. if some civilian pulls a gun the robber could just turn and shoot him.. if you pull your gun and badge and yell police he most likley will just run or give up. cause shooting a cop is never good.. lol

[drkknght]

I understand what you mean about CO not being trained like a LEO.. but personally im trained for situations like that. Im also in the Army.

I've been in the army for seven years (combat arms) even with all of my combative training and other stuff plus some defensive tactics that I have learned doing security I still would not get up close and personal with a potentially armed and dangerous person if I did not need to do so.

Even if I was an on duty officer and in uniform I still would not attack the suspect. I would have him at gun point and wait for responding units to get to my location before I make a move. I personally would not want to fight someone like that alone unless I absolutely had to.

But then again when I was active duty I was not trained in armed robberies:rolleyes: All I was taught was distance is your friend and maintain it if possible.

[drkknght]

I know your not a REAL LEO.. you would think as a part of law enforcment your badge could be used for a situation like that to help you out.. i mean come on.. if some civilian pulls a gun the robber could just turn and shoot him.. if you pull your gun and badge and yell police he most likley will just run or give up. cause shooting a cop is never good.. lol

Your 100% correct I am not a LEO and I never said I was either. Just pulling your badge could be what gets you shot maybe not.

I know of robberies where there have been off duty police officers present and are killed just for that reason. The officer gives the bad guy his wallet with his badge and commission card and that is enough for some criminals to kill for.

Do what you want slipknot I will not stop you and if you are ever put in one of these unfortunate situations good luck to you I hope the best for you.

[Lawson]

I know your not a REAL LEO.. you would think as a part of law enforcment your badge could be used for a situation like that to help you out.. i mean come on.. if some civilian pulls a gun the robber could just turn and shoot him..

You should spend some time on the ODMP page. You'll get a good look at the LEOs killed while taking action off duty.

if you pull your gun and badge and yell police he most likley will just run or give up. cause shooting a cop is never good.. lol

Shooting a civilian isn't good either. Badge or not, when you enter this situation you're going to have an almost equal chance of being shot at.

I understand what you mean about CO not being trained like a LEO.. but personally im trained for situations like that. Im also in the Army.

What's your MOS, and what type of training do they give to take down a robber?

Told you I would be corrected:D Do they have any authority off duty though? Kind of a separate question but I'm curious now.

It's a lot dependant upon the agency here I believe. They have authority as they would as a CO. I dont think they generally have any law enforcement authority. Its kinda like how I was, I was able to carry a gun off-duty, but I didnt have the same arrest authority as on duty.

[Slimyslipknot]

What's your MOS, and what type of training do they give to take down a robber?

Im a Combat Engineer. Part infantry part engineer. we are trained to detain and Neutralize. Much like S.W.A.T.

[Lawson]

im a combat engineer. Part infantry part engineer. We are trained to detain and neutralize. Much like s.w.a.t.

I see. I thought Combat Engineering was like clearing mines and stuff. Nevertheless, I had lots of guys in my academy class who were infantry and other combat arms, it's not as SWAT-related as one may think.

[drkknght]

Im a Combat Engineer. Part infantry part engineer. we are trained to detain and Neutralize. Much like S.W.A.T.

Wow I got screwed then. I was infantry for my full enlistment and sure it could be considered kind of like S.W.A.T.

I spent a year doing raids on cities and homes but never responded to an armed robbery. Even state side we trained on room clearing etc...etc...etc... and still no robberies. Guess I should write my congressman.

Maybe I should have gone engineer:rolleyes:

[Slimyslipknot]

Your 100% correct I am not a LEO and I never said I was either. Just pulling your badge could be what gets you shot maybe not.

I know of robberies where there have been off duty police officers present and are killed just for that reason. The officer gives the bad guy his wallet with his badge and commission card and that is enough for some criminals to kill for.

Do what you want slipknot I will not stop you and if you are ever put in one of these unfortunate situations good luck to you I hope the best for you.

I never said i would engage the shooter or try... I said IF i was to. not that im going to. Not that i have been trained in robbery's but if at gun point i have enough confidience in my martial arts background and size over power and to remove the gun from harming me or others

[Slimyslipknot]

Wow I got screwed then. I was infantry for my full enlistment and sure it could be considered kind of like S.W.A.T. but I never was trained in robbery situations.

Maybe I should have gone engineer:rolleyes:

Dono what years you were in but maybe you did get screwed. maybe not a STORE robbery but we were trained in hostage situations. Iraq had a lot of them

[drkknght]

I never said i would engage the shooter or try... I said IF i was to. not that im going to. Not that i have been trained in robbery's but if at gun point i have enough confidience in my martial arts background and size over power and to remove the gun from harming me or others

What if he shoots you before you get to him?

Dono what years you were in but maybe you did get screwed. maybe not a STORE robbery but we were trained in hostage situations. Iraq had a lot of them

I've been in since 2002 five years active and the past two years as a reservist. We did have hostage training though. I'll give you that one.