Retired federal police officer

[Abracy]

I retired from the Dept.of Veterans' Affairs Police in 2009 due to an injury in the line of duty. I was given a retired police shield and creds. to go with it. Yesterday I was informed that the shield and the credentials have changed. They do not look like or say the same thing as the creds. I was given. They are totally different. My question is are the creds.that I have still valid or should I request the new updated creds. and shield?

[retdetsgt]

You could ask, but they are given more or less as a courtesy and recognition of service rather than have an official function. When I retired in 1998, the ID card I was issued is good until 2015. I assure you I look a hell of a lot older now than I did then.

I know that as far as a retired badge, if I lose mine, it's gone. Again, it's a memento, I'm not a cop anymore so it has no official standing.

[Abracy]

The reason I asked is because I carry my firearm everywhere I go and according to the officers' safety law, I must have the proper shield and creds. I just don't want to get snagged for something as simple as this.

[Abracy]

Thanks for your help.

[retdetsgt]

If it was the one you were issued, I can't see how it would be a problem. The badge isn't important, in fact it carries no weight as far as carrying a firearm. Only the ID card is acceptable. I've never carried my retirement badge, just my ID and my annual firearms qualification card for HR218.

Take care.

[1depd]

Yup, what retdetsgt said. The law stipulates you have to have the ID issued by your agency. You have what your agency gave you. Some local officer's might balk that you don't have the newest/best stuff out there, but neither your nor they can tell your agency what they must give you. Any issues will be thrown out in court and open the arresting agency/officer to liability. As long as you continue to meet all of the other requirements you should be good to go.

[retdetsgt]

Some local officer's might balk that you don't have the newest/best stuff out there, but neither your nor they can tell your agency what they must give you.

Although few would know what a DVA retired police ID looked like anyway to know if it's the newest or not. Every agency's ID is so different, the only thing we can look for is expiration date. They may have well changed my agency's retired ID since I left.

On the badge/shield thing, again they are useless for identification. In the mid 70's I stopped a guy who flashed a Seattle PD badge. I asked him for his ID and he said he left it at home. I took the badge and checked and sure enough, a Seattle cop had reported that badge number stolen. Badges or shields mean nothing.

[1depd]

Although few would know what a DVA retired police ID looked like anyway to know if it's the newest or not. Every agency's ID is so different, the only thing we can look for is expiration date. They may have well changed my agency's retired ID since I left.

The problem with looking for an expiration date, is some agency's don't have them. The retirement creds from my agency look identical to our working creds, except the retired creds have "RETIRED" perforated across it. If we want retired creds, we send in our working set when we retire which are perforated then sent back. If we don't want retired creds we turn in our creds and they are destroyed.

[retdetsgt]

The problem with looking for an expiration date, is some agency's don't have them. The retirement creds from my agency look identical to our working creds, except the retired creds have "RETIRED" perforated across it. If we want retired creds, we send in our working set when we retire which are perforated then sent back. If we don't want retired creds we turn in our creds and they are destroyed.

So if you don't get one, then you aren't subject to HR218 then, I guess.

Ours is identical to working cops except it has "Retired" in front of the rank.

[basher52]

You are good to go with what you have. The Retired ID with photo is all you require. You are good for a year from retirement with just that. You will need to requalify before the year is up by a range or agency that meets the criteria for LEOSA. Your retired ID and you LEOSA Qualification card is what you need to carry from then on.

It's nice to have the newer ID, but not required.

It is recommended that if your State or municipality issues a CCW that you get that also.

[retdetsgt]

It is recommended that if your State or municipality issues a CCW that you get that also.

Why, if the state statute is clear that honorably retired police officers can carry concealed? A CCW permit wouldn't give me any more legal protection. HR 218 requires the annual qualification, a CCW permit doesn't.

[marinepilot]

In Florida I carry a CCW because that allows me to purchase a handgun and walk out of the store with it. Otherwise, I can walk into the store in full uniform, wearing a weapon on my hip, purchase the gun, and be told to come back in 3 days. Stupid, I know, but that's the way it is.

[retdetsgt]

In Florida I carry a CCW because that allows me to purchase a handgun and walk out of the store with it. Otherwise, I can walk into the store in full uniform, wearing a weapon on my hip, purchase the gun, and be told to come back in 3 days. Stupid, I know, but that's the way it is.

I guess I'm spoiled up here in liberal Orygun. I can walk into a gun store and walk out with it and only show my driver's license. I don't even have to show them my Police ID.

[basher52]

Why, if the state statute is clear that honorably retired police officers can carry concealed? A CCW permit wouldn't give me any more legal protection. HR 218 requires the annual qualification, a CCW permit doesn't.

The federal law regarding carrying in a school zone is one of a few catch 22's. That, and as stated, some states require a permit to purchase a handgun. In NYS one can purchase a rifle or shotgun with their drivers license, but handguns require a license. You are good to go with just ID and qualification in NY, but you can't buy or sell without a permit.

The School Zone permits active LEO's and those with CCW's to travel in a school zone. It was in passed way prior to LEOSA. Now will any of us really have to worry about this? I think not, but it is one of those "letter of the law" issues we have to deal with. Many LEOSA friendly attorneys feel they can make a case that includes retirees carrying (school zones) under LEOSA, should they get arrested, but who wnats to deal with legal hassels if all you need is the extra insurance a CCW gives you.

[retdetsgt]

As a retired LEO, Oregon law says I can carry a gun anywhere an active duty officer can carry. I'm not subject to the restrictions that a CCW holder is.

Oregon has always been LEO friendly when it comes to firearms. An active or even retired police officer from any state in the union was allowed full carry rights even before HR218.