L.E.O.'s and concealed weapons....

[K-9]

Hi all,

As a reserve deputy sheriff applicant, I have some questions regarding L.E.O.'s and concealed weapons.

I can only assume that most, if not ALL , full-time officers carry a concealed firearm when off duty. It only makes sense.

What is the protocol when an off duty officer has his/her weapon detected, or when the officer knows the weapon may be detected in a public place?

Example: I was at a Denver Nuggets basketball game the other day (don't hold that against me) when I was greeted by security guards screening fans for knives/guns with a metal detector. I thought to myself, if I was an L.E.O. at the time and "carrying", would simply flashing my shield number allow me to pass? Or would it take a little more than that.

I believe that most off duty officers would appreciate discretion when confronted, to avoid public disruption.

As a reserve (if I understand this correctly), I would have NO arresting power when off duty. Do reserves typically carry concealed weapons anyways? I don't plan on making many friends busting crooks, so I'm an advocate of ALL L.E.O.'s qualifed to carry a "piece". Another option would be a civilian concealed weapon permit.

Any thoughts?

BTW, this forum is a great resource for ALL active and potential L.E.O.'s.


K-9

[Fin]

I know our reserves have to have a valid concealed weapons permit (full-time sworn LEO's do not). As such, I would guess they would have to abide by the rules set forth under state law regarding the carrying of a concealed weapon. If there is no law that says you couldn't carry in your situation mentioned, then it shouldn't be a problem. I'm not familiar with the laws in your state, either. If you had had a weapon on you at the time, I would have let the security personnel in charge of the screening know about it prior to them finding it. Either that, or just show them your badge or some type of ID (do reserves have ID like a commission card?).

[Stump]

Certain places here do not allow pistols on premises, no matter who you are (unless you are working). The only exception I have seen is police supply stores, where coppers are allowed to bring their weapons in, but civilians aren't.

[Soon2bRookie]

I am not sure how toanswer this because i am not quite sure myself. With th reserve program that i will be going into, the reserve officer has the exact same powers as a full time officer. The only difference is the reserve postion is part time. Since the reserve officers for my department have to pass the academy and b certified by the stte by passing the exam, i would assume they would allow the right to carry off duty. I will let you know as soon as i find out.

Stump is right though. Some places don't allow ANY concealed weapons, whether your an officer or have a permit. I would also assume that if yur firearm is in plain sight, not concealed, a badge would also have to be in plain sight to show that you ae an officer. I am not sure on this, but would assume this makes sense.

[K-9]

Yep, I hear you guys....

It will boil down to specific department/state policys I'm sure. Keep me posted on any more info regarding reserve L.E.O. privileges.

Thanks,

K-9

[warlock]

I was under the impression that off-duty PO's are under the same restrictions as civilians when it comes to CC. My CJ prof put a question on a test asking "Do police officers have any more rights than the ordinary citizen?" This was a BS question and of course I put "yes they do." They have the right to carry a firearm in the open, pull people over/arrest them for violations...I mean if you think about it they can do many things the average citizen cannot.

I really think this is a politically correct charged question. The answer on paper really isnt the case in the real world.

[jeff92k7]

In Texas, a Reserve Officer now has the same authority while on duty and has to meet the same requirements as a full time officer. Off duty however, a reserve officer does not have the authority to carry a weapon or act as a peace officer unless the head of the employing agency authorizes reserve officers to do so.

In my department, our off duty reserve officers are not authorized to carry and are basically considered civilians by the department administration.

[Lfpdlieu302]

our reserve officers are allowed and encouraged to carry a weapon off duty. they also have arrest powers while off duty. if i trust them enough to let them do it on the clock, why would i not trust them off? as far as concealed carry, i carry everywhere, the only place i beleive i cant carry is the state capitol, i think... as far as hosptials , schools, etc.... i carry regardless of what their signs say. in our state we are law enforcement and techincally have jurisdiction for any misdemeanor that occurs in our presence as well as felony. the only stipulation we have in our department is that the weapon must be concealed. my son was in the little rock childrens hospital a year ago, they have metal detectors going into the er, they also have armed security at the detectors, when i went in , i just advised the guard that i was a leo and carrying, i then walked around the detector after showing my badge. if i'm going into a school or such i usually let somone in charge know who i am and what i am doing, just in case though.

[K-9]

It sounds like the political consensus is reserves revert back to civilian status when off duty. I don't necessarily subscribe to that point of view, since reserves are expected to carry the same professional disposition as a FT on, or off duty.

A FT "carrys" off duty for protection against possible confrontation with the general public and/or a perpetrator looking for revenge. A reserve may very well generate the same "friction" while only working part time.

If I were confronted on the street by some punk I previously busted, I'd be damn glad to be "carrying".

Here's a hypothetical question generated from all of this..... I'm a reserve officer and off duty... I have a legal concealed weapon permit and I'm carrying... I'm confronted by a perpetrator that knows I'm a reserve L.E.O. and I'm forced to use lethal force to protect myself. I'm technically a civilian at this point... would the department/state stand behind me in a court of law regarding my actions, and defend me as a L.E.O.?

K-9 :eek:

[jeff92k7]

Here's a hypothetical question generated from all of this..... I'm a reserve officer and off duty... I have a legal concealed weapon permit and I'm carrying... I'm confronted by a perpetrator that knows I'm a reserve L.E.O. and I'm forced to use lethal force to protect myself. I'm technically a civilian at this point... would the department/state stand behind me in a court of law regarding my actions, and defend me as a L.E.O.?

Most likely not. If the department doesn't authorize you to act as a LEO off-duty, then they aren't likely to back you up if you do. You would be tried as a civilian and the media would hang you out to dry regardless of the verdict/outcome.

[Lfpdlieu302]

unfortunately i agree, you would probably be toast. its tough, i know, that s why i made damn sure that our reservists could carry off duty.

[K-9]

I will research these exact questions with the department I'm being considered for.

Lfpdlieu302: I'm an advocate of your department policies. It DOES come down to trust. Logical, rational thinking doesn't stop when you punch out for the day. A reserve that can't make the right decisions "off the clock" probably won't make the right decisions on the clock. You either think like a LEO, or you don't.

K-9

[Soon2bRookie]

K9..i spok to someone today who has worked at the department i plan to reserve at. She said that as long as you are employed and sworn in,a reserve officer has the same powers onuty/offduty as a regular full time officer. Hope this helps. This might not however apply to your department.