Law Enforcement - do you carry off-duty?

[mvpel]

Please only respond to this poll if you're a member of a law enforcement agency. Feel free to post details of your agency and role.

My adoption home study agency believes that off-duty carry is uncommon among law enforcement, and I'd like to get a sense of whether that's true or not.

 

[Michael]

Criminal Investigator; 23 years; Texas. Always carry, always will (although not required by agency). Good luck on the adoption, sir. I've been through the same process -- it's worth it. Feel free to PM for more.

Sincerely,

Michael

 

[Steve in PA]

I voted for always carrying, but its more like 99% of the time. Running down to the corner store on Sunday morning, etc.

 

[TCD]

I didn't vote or anything, but perhaps you should try some LEO boards and ask there as well?

GL

 

[mvpel]

That's close enough, Steve, thanks!

 

[obiwan1]

All of the time

My agency doesn't encourage it, but I do it. Excretions occur.

 

[Jeff White]

Carry all the time. The dept doesn't require it except when the Feds raise the terrorist threat level.

Jeff

 

[Line Rider]

I have,off duty, run into too many of the thugs not to carry.

 

[hikerpaddler]

Almost all the time. Why is it pertinent whether off duty police carry if you're not one? Just trying to figure out your case with the home study agency.

 

[siren]

Dept. doesn't require it. 28 years on the job. When I am outside my house, I am always armed. Truth is I can't remember the last time I wasn't carrying.

 

[El Tejon]

hiker, he's going through the application process on an adoption. He listed "firearms" as an interest and is receiving flak.

I did, but I was in minority in my agency as firearms were not required for the gig. Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Tippecanoe County (Indiana) Prosecuting Attorney.

 

[Scotchymcdrinkerbean]

Uniform patrol officer, 10 years, and I carry all the time when I'm off.

 

[Roadkill Coyote]

THR is generally composed of people that have an extraordinary interest in personal arms, and the Strategy and Tactics section is composed of people within that population that are specifically interested in thinking about the circumstances in which they might have to use them. As cool as this place is, it is most certainly not a representative sample of law enforcement in general.

I'm a patrol Deputy in a fairly rural area, and I belong to the American Express school of thought. Why? Because I realize that it can happen to me. It may be less likely out here, but who wants to guarantee I won't win that lotto? I might be out in the middle of Egypt, but I'm not in denial by a long shot.

 

[telcom911]

Unless I am going to have

a drink, I am armed.

 

[mvpel]

As cool as this place is, it is most certainly not a representative sample of law enforcement in general.

I'm mainly interested in this sample, though, if you know what I mean. ;-)

 

[Lamar Jaggears]

YES!
Gadsden Police Department in Alabama. About 100 officers. Off duty carry is encouraged. I am the rangemaster.

 

[Fed168]

Every day that ends in Y.

 

[Powderman]

Tribal Patrol Officer (Level 1 Reserve); 22 sworn officers and a heck of a lot of urban area to cover (Northeast Tacoma, City of Fife, parts of unincorporated Pierce County--all part of the Puyallup Indian Reservation.

Going to and from my normal job and patrol, I go through two reservations, with a lot of folks having dual membership and their families.

Three times so far, I have come face to face with people who have reason to not be too happy with me.

When I can wear a jacket or long tailed shirt--Colt Enhanced, .45 ACP, with two 8 round reloads of Hydra-Shok. Also carry cuffs and my cell phone.

When it's too hot out, Glock 22 with 1 LE hi-cap, total 31 rounds Ranger RA40T.

When I'm wearing shorts, S&W 915 with one reload of RA9T, or a G27, with RA40T

Occasions when I am not armed--never, except in the house.

 

[Coffee357]

I put most of the time because I don't carry when working out, swimming, or sometimes (depends on the laundry situation) at church. I have an obligation to protect my family and society as a whole and feel I should be prepared to do so.

Good luck on the adoption!

Coffee

 

[fastbolt]

Most of the time ...

The nature & location of some activities and interests mitigate against it sometimes.

It's not a requirement at my agency.

I've noticed an increased interest in selecting compact off-duty weapons among a growing percentage of our folks, of all lengths of service, and it appears this might indicate that interest in carrying off-duty more often is growing.

Also, as soon as my children were crawling, I invested in a real gunsafe ... (one which would still be considered a gunsafe even under CA's new storage laws) ...

 

[stevelyn]

Never step out the door without it. Usually within arms reach or at least the same room at home.