PoliceOne did a survey of law enforcement officers and their off-duty carry choices. The results were unfortunately indicative of how complacent a lot of police officers are.
According to the survey, less than half (only 43%) of the respondents always carry a firearm while off-duty. While another 15% “rarely” or “never” carry off duty. I guess this means that less than half of the responding police officers believe that they can encounter a deadly force situation while they are away from the job…a situation in which the lives of their families and their own can hang in the balance.
The 15% who never or rarely carry off duty should re-evaluate their career choice, because they do not have the right mental attitude to be a cop. Sound harsh? The real world is. You never know what you may encounter off-duty, but these 15% have made the decision to not be an active participant in their own survival while out of uniform. If they don’t care enough about their own life when they are off the clock to slip a pistol into their pocket or onto their waistband, then they probably aren’t setting any good examples of officer safety on the clock either.
If you don’t carry a gun off duty, and you think you have a legitimate reason (like you are bullet proof)…leave a comment. I would love for someone to prove to me that they do not need to carry a pistol while out of uniform.
Stay safe!
Richard is a police officer with a medium sized, central Florida department, and previously worked for a Metro-Atlanta agency. He has served as a field training officer, court officer, corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, watch commander, commander of a field training and evaluation program, and general pain in the butt to management-types looking to cut training hours.
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I never leave my house with it and it’s often handy inside too. I’ve already used it once in an off duty apprehension. I’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
I agree, except to say that this should apply to anyone weather they are in law enforcement or not. Lets face it, there is not always a cop around to save the average citizen. Being responsible for your own defense is the best sort of defense.
you never know when that guy you arrested a year ago will catch you off duty in a dark parking lot. you may not remember every person you’ve arrested but you can bet they remember you. don’t be stupid carry a gun always.
I could not agree more. It seems that many officers feel that their day as an officer ends with changing clothes. We affect so many peoples lives in so many ways. Mostly, the affect is one that becomes hatred toward the police officer.
I can’t imagine not being able to protect my family from one of my past arrestee’s just because I chose to ignore my responsibility. We all chose this job at some point and understood its demanding schedule, physical requirements and exhausting affect to our families. If it is not for you retire or leave!!! Otherwise you may hurt your fellow officer or your own family
I know the laws are much different in the US, than in Canada, however most if not all departments here actually do not allow you to carry off-duty. There are some officers that do anyway, but if you were seen carrying in an off-duty context — you could face reprimand or charges as a result. Its a different culture up here of sorts, but in defence of officers here, they simply just aren’t allowed to. There are exceptions, such as federal officers (RCMP) who can carry as they are on callout, etc.
Dave,
Thanks for checking in. That is an unfortunate legal situation for you and your partners. Do the best you can and stay safe!
–Richard
If you choose to be armed at all times, you can make a rational decison to intervene during a critical event. If you are not armed, the decision has often already been made for you.
Here in Los Angeles, it is beaten into your head from day 1 in the academy to ALWAYS carry when off duty.
In the last 20 years, we have had at least 5 off duty LASD deputies who were murdered after being IDed as LEOs. I dont plan on being #4 if I have anything to say about it.
Laws only apply to law abiding citizens, that is the problem. The criminal doesn’t care that its illegal to carry a gun to facilitate his illegal action. All the laws are succeeding in doing is disarming law abiding citizens.
I you are a sworn officer the oath does not quit when you sign “off Duty” and some of these mugs will follow you home, then your family and friends get involved. Think it over!
I’m a s—- magnet even off duty. I’ve been a major texas city police officer for 16 yrs. Off duty I’ve arrested Burg. Hab’s, Thefts, BMV actors and encountered a Public Intox. person at a family owned restaurant with the charge enhanced to assault public servant. I’ll carry even when I retired.
I agree that it is absolutely disturbing that many officers don’t carry. I know a lot of guys that dont simply because it is uncomfortable or in their mindset they’re “off the clock”. I’m lucky in my career to not have had any perps (at least that I’m aware of) that have a vendetta against me. But still, this job has opened my eyes to what’s out there and made me more aware of the possible dangers that exist. I don’t plan on being Det. John McClain, but should a situation arise, I’d rather know that I have the ability and tools to react rather then live with the regret that I couldn’t.
Im a federal police officer and my Deparment wont let us carry off duty. What can i do about this.
A cop is a cop on duty and off. most are thought of in this way.
I do carry a gun all the time. The day I became a cop I went out into the world armed. My left-wing liberal wife (in art school at the time) was appalled. Not knowing that this was “normal” she actually called my department (behind my back) to report my unstable and obviously deranged behavior. They explained to her that yes, cops do carry guns off duty and it is perfectly normal and legal. I didn’t find out about that call till years later… So, here even the wife of a cop is so deep in sheep-dom that as an adult, she didn’t realize that cops carry guns all the time for whatever may come their way.
In 16 years as a cop, I have only had to draw and present my handgun 1 time in an off-duty situation. Didn’t have to fire which was good. But the whole thing happened almost on auto-pilot. Trouble erupted before my eyes and rapidly came my way. I was on a cell phone call, fat dumb and happy… Without hesitation I dumped the phone, drew from under my untucked shirt, and presented in textbook fashion. All a product of obvious massively redundant training. The speed of my response and the no-BS challenge from me shocked the evil-wrongdoer into submission. Without the gun, I was a statistic…no doubt.
Parting thought:
We had a case here at my Southern California agency about 3 years ago that sums it all up. Middle class family (dad, mom, 2 kids) are eating in a well known restaurant chain in a nice mall in a really decent part of town. Birds chirping, violins quietly playing, no chance of danger…Sheep’s paradise. A few tables over, a parolee and his girlfriend are eating. The parolee has been without sleep for 3 days on a Meth binge. He was becoming very paranoid and was starting to break down. The dad starts laughing at something the kids said. The parolee is convinced that the dad is ridiculing and laughing at him. The parolee pulls an 8 inch combat knife from under his coat. The knife has built-in metal knuckles with spikes on the tips. A trench knife, a really nasty tool. In a rage he confronts the dad and his family about his perceived wrongs. Brandishing the knife at the family, yelling and challenging the dad.
Thank god, the parolee bailed without stabbing anybody. But the point is that the outcome was pure luck and rested exclusively with the parolee. The man and his family were completely helpless to act. They were at the mercy of the Meth-head.
I got home from work and told my entire family (even the 5 and 7 year old sons), If anything like that happens to us as a family, the moment you see that knife come out, for God sake, please put your hands over your ears to protect your hearing! Its, going to get very loud in that restaurant….
Howard,
Thanks for checking in. I wish more good people (cops and citizens) would get their heads right and carried the tools they might need to protect themselves.
Stay safe,
Richard
I ma just a student that wants to be a corrections officer so I do not presume to know anything about policing yet. But I do hope that officers will keep in mind that there paramount aim is to protect people. Yes they should protect themselves and their famalies but one can never be prepared for every situation. My opinion also depend upon the temper of the officer and what he plans to do while he is out of his home. If he just plans on going shopping or to the movies or some other social gathering than I say more power to ya. If on the other hand he is planning on going drinking with a few of his buddies from the force, then for pete freaking sake leave the stupid gun at home, please. We have enough problems with the bad guys trying to hurt the publice and now we have to deal with a drunk cop waving his gun around. I am not calling all police officers drunks, please do not think that I am. All that I am requesting is that police use commone sense when deciding to go out and have a “few” beers.
Thank you for listening.