CWP for Local, State & Federal Officers?

[tennisguy]

I'm not law enforcement, but I was curious if local, state and federal law enforcement officers need a conceal carry permit to carry while off duty?

Several years ago, there was an incident outside a local performing arts theatre where 2 guys attempted to rob a woman who happened to turn out to be a visiting FBI agent in town visiting family. If memory serves me, she shot both of them. I don't think that venue allows weapons so I always wondered if she, for example, could carry anyplace since she was a federal officer even though not on official duty.

Just curious.

 

[GLV]

Likely not but

might be advisable. Most off duty cops do not have radios, cuffs, vest, etc. The point being that without that equipment and with a CCP, they can act as armed citizens, and if not contrary to their regulations, become good witnesses.

 

[WC145]

We just need our IDs and badges to carry anywhere in the US and it's territories. Google LEOSA (Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004) for more info and clarification on limitations.
Also, feds, like the FBI, operate under different rules than the rest of us. They can carry on planes, etc. where state and local LE are more limited.

 

[photoman]

I'm not law enforcement, but I was curious if local, state and federal law enforcement officers need a conceal carry permit to carry while off duty?

Not if they are in their department's jurisdiction.

The FBI is a different situation all together. That's federal and, I think, they can carry just about anywhere they want. Same thing with US Marshals.

 

[The Big D]

Off-duty Carry for LEO's

Per LEOSA, LEO's may carry in all states and US Territories provided they have their credentials with them. No badge is required. There are certain limitations (e.g. still need specific authorization for on-board airline carry) but carry is permitted in all states.

Generally speaking, LEO's are authorized to carry both on- and off-duty anywhere in their jursidiction. That's rather obvious, I think, as most professional law enforcement organizations want their personnel to be involved off-duty...when required/needed, of course. (Don't flame me; many times that involvement is as a professional witness.) In my experience, many organizations REQUIRE off-duty personnel to be armed when in an area of primary jurisdiction. That said, most do not want them involved in all situations but do mandate they act in life threatening situations. To be more specific, an off-duty LEO would not investigate a MVA but would act in some proper manner if on the scene of an armed assault.

All LEO's assigned a take home vehicle are required to be armed whenever operating that vehicle regardless of duty status. (If there is an organization that does not require that I would be greatly surprised.)

Though I have need seen this codified, it is widely held that LEO's can be armed wherever they have powers of arrest.

Hope this is useful.

Be safe.

 

[The Big D]

LEO's are never "armed citizens" in their jurisdiction. If in jurisdiction, their actions are as LEO's. Further, they do not need any permit(s.)

LEOSA covers their off-duty carry out of jurisdiction. Then they would likely be acting as an "armed citizen" should they undertake any enforcement action.

Trust this helps clarify the question.

Be safe.

might be advisable. Most off duty cops do not have radios, cuffs, vest, etc. The point being that without that equipment and with a CCP, they can act as armed citizens, and if not contrary to their regulations, become good witnesses.

 

[kraigwy]

As mentione, there is the LEOSA.

Just to add, the dept I worked for (prior to the LEOSA), REQUIRED off duty officers to carry their badge off duty.

 

[tennisguy]

I know a lady whose son is a local officer, and she says he doesn't go anywhere without a weapon but I think she said he has a permit as well. That's one of the reasons I asked the question. I think it was a little strange that a professional law enforcement officer would need the same basic permit class as a regular citizen.

And I figured that federal law enforcement had different rules--I mean, their jurisdiction is pretty much the entire USA--like FBI, US Marshals, Secret Service, ATF, etc.

In the piece I mentioned about the lady FBI agent, I bet those 2 robbers were surprised when she pulled a gun and took on both of them. I think they found 1 shot at the scene and the other one they found later away from the scene. It seems like both died, but can't remember.

 

[ASA335]

In some states, like mine, peace officers are given state wide authority, 24/7; as long as we're in our home state, we are not limited to city/county jurisdiction to act as a peace officer. Doesn't mean we "poach" in another jurisdiction, but we can act as peace officers state wide if need be. Individual department rules may restrict this for their officers, but state law allows for state wide authority.

As stated above by others, LEOSA applies elsewhere, and Feds are a different ball team.

 

[gboling]

Laws differ by state and policy differs by department. In Calif. The officer's police ID card is the permit. The police officer is a Police officer for the city and a peace officer for the state. Most departments permit concealed carry off duty within the state.

A while back the Chief in the Soviet Socialist Republic of San Francisco denied their officers the privilege of carrying a gun while off duty. I haven't kept up with that flap and do not know their policy today.