Off Duty

[slpope]

I read somewhere recently, that more and more use of force experts are advocating that LEO carry handcuffs when they carry their off duty firearm, and maybe even a small can of OC.

I can see the cuffs, they can simply be placed in the small of your back and will be there is you need them. What do some of the fellow LEO brothers do?

[Kieth M.]

It's so odd that you mention this, but after carrying an off-duty gun and spare ammo for 20 years, I actually added a pair of cuffs sometime in the last nine years to my waist pack.

I think it was after I saw a hilarious portion of an LASD training tape where they "strip" an on-duty deputy down, piece-of-equipment by piece-of-equipment, to make him an off-duty cop confronting a suspect and trying to maintain control.

I do keep a pen-sized OC in both of our cars now, after an incident where it would have been nice to have it. Now I just worry that my three little ones will try out daddy's OC. My 22 year-old did so when he was nine. He's never touched it since! :D

[GoldBadge]

I don't carry cuffs off-duty, but I'm a fed. The only way I'll get involved in something off duty is if someone's life is in danger. If that's the case, I'll either shoot, if appropriate, or prone the guy out until the calvary comes.

[WC145]

Off-duty I always carry a gun, a reload (spare mag or speed loader), a knife, a cell phone. In the last few months I've started carrying a set of cuffs about 75% of the time and if they're not on me they're in the car with a can of OC.

[zap]

Our policy is that off duty, if you carry your gun (which you are strongly suggested to do) you must carry at least one full reload of ammo...and have cuffs accessable (in the car is ok)

[kadetklapp]

I did for a very short time, but I kept getting picked on for being "over the top" with tactics....

[locke1419]

I just carry a zip tie in my back pocket for a quick and easy set of cuffs.

[Metro174]

My department's general orders state that if we carry off duty, we must carry cuffs. Prior to the SOP being rewritten, it was reccomended.

[John from Maryland]

I routinely carry handcuffs in a DeSantis belt carrier when off duty. It's not much additional weight. While it's generally better to wait for the on-duty troops before attempting to handcuff someone, you cannot predict how something will go down.

[towncop]

I did for a very short time, but I kept getting picked on for being "over the top" with tactics....

Don't listen to others when it comes to your own safety off duty. Especially if you have a family and are policing a smaller town/city where you come across your past clients frequently. That's just my opinion. We've got three old-timers on my department that dog me and the other tactical officers for carrying off-duty (gun/cuffs/). What's that saying? Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it? ;)

[OffDuty]

I keep a set in my personal car and also keep a set in my takehome. More often than not I usually grab them if we are going into a store somewhere. As mentioned, you can always prone out someone if you had to, but that just in case thing pops in my head so I like to have a set.

[Slattery]

lol, here in Victoria, Australia no one carries gear off duty that I know of.

[hawk1]

lol, here in Victoria, Australia no one carries gear off duty that I know of.

100% correct. Off duty means exactly that in Australia guys.

[IB1032]

My dept's policy is that if you are carrying off duty, your weapon must be secured in a holster, and you must have an extra mag/handcuffs along with your ID and star...none of the 50 cent putting the pistol in the front of your pants style...

[sflcop]

It is interesting to see how different things are across the country. Down here, I do not know any officers that carry extra ammo or cuffs off duty. Just the weapon.

[Tipsovr]

I've always carried at least one extra magazine with me when off duty. My wife thinks I am crazy, especially in summer trying to hide all that crap when wearing shorts in summer. Handcuffs are a great idea but I don't carry them, but do have a number of zip ties in the truck just in case.

[KenW.]

When I go to a busy or populated place where I'm more likely to run into a former business acquaintance, I'll drop a pair of thumbcuffs in my pocket. Not terribly secure, but if you closely monitor them it is better than keeping someone in a control-hold until the cavalry gets there.

[Blackdog F4i]

I keep cuffs in my car with the rest of my duty gear. Off-duty all I carry is wepon in holster and a knife.

If I am going somewhere that I need more than one magazine, cuffs, etc. then it's not something I "accidentally" found myself in. I won't intervene off duty unless it's to prevent serious bodily injury. Too many cops are killed off-duty doing crap they didn't need to.

I have seen several sets of "keychain" flex-cuffs that are folded up in a nylon pouch. Not sure how secure they would be, but they may be something to look at.

[Raptor5191]

Weapon, a reload, badge and ID, small flashlight and a pair of cuffs. Why would you leave the tools at home that you are used to relying on?

[extremesgs]

Interesting parallel...

EVERY paramedic I know or have met carries some sort of E-bag in their car at all times.

They have the skill and means to save lives. So do we. Bring your life saving tools at a minimum, more tools if able.

[RBrodowski]

Interesting parallel...

EVERY paramedic I know or have met carries some sort of E-bag in their car at all times.

They have the skill and means to save lives. So do we. Bring your life saving tools at a minimum, more tools if able.

Yeah but if their bag gets stolen, its easily replaceable stuff....if we get a bag stolen, there's another gun on the street. Plus the easiest way to carry all the stuff is the easiest way to be spotted as a cop....the fannypack :P. I don't know about you guys, but I try not to look like a cop off-duty.

[Raptor5191]

Yeah but if their bag gets stolen, its easily replaceable stuff....if we get a bag stolen, there's another gun on the street. Plus the easiest way to carry all the stuff is the easiest way to be spotted as a cop....the fannypack :P. I don't know about you guys, but I try not to look like a cop off-duty.

True dat. Definitely best to stay "on the DL" off duty. However, there are plenty of ways to carry your stuff without sticking out like a sore thumb.

Of course, it also depends on body type. If you are grossly out of shape, etc you will have a much harder time keeping stuff concealed as your shirt will be too tight on your waistline.

[extremesgs]

Yeah but if their bag gets stolen, its easily replaceable stuff....if we get a bag stolen, there's another gun on the street. Plus the easiest way to carry all the stuff is the easiest way to be spotted as a cop....the fannypack :P. I don't know about you guys, but I try not to look like a cop off-duty.

My apologies for not clarifying the whole point- I realize that medics leave their bags in their cars. I thought that it would be implied that we (re: guns) would carry the gear on our person). I guess I was speaking with the knowledge of my own state's laws.

I would hope that LEO's aren't leaving guns unattended in their vehicle.

Unless I'm wearing a jacket or flannel-type shirt, I carry IWB. If I have on a jacket or shirt or something, I may go with a compact slide holster or shoulder rig. However, I also try to stick with the IWB for consistency.

Fanny packs.... yea, I got one when I first started.. Its dust covered in my gear bag now! lol

[Blackdog F4i]

Just remember that statistics show you are more likely to be murdered while taking action off duty than responding on duty. You don't have a radio, armor, or the police presence that you have in uniform. The suspect is also not likely to believe that you are a cop.

Unless there is reason for me to believe that serious bodily injury will result from my lack of action I will be the guy behind cover on the phone to the cavalry. I don't need reloads or handcuffs for that. If I have to take action, then more than likely the suspect is going to have numerous holes in and about his person and handcuffs may not be necessary.

The only time I will respond off-duty is if it is worth me dying to do so.

[msouzajr]

Alabama has it so that as a law enforcement officer you can arrest for anything in your police jurisdiction, misdemeanors or felonies only in the county where you are employed, and felonies only in other counties when you are off duty.

[768B]

Sorry, I'm a Medic/LEO/FF, I work in a very small town where everyone knows my family, and I. I don't carry a med bag, usually a pair of gloves and a barrier device (pocket mask) the local EMS director is quirck, afraid we'd do too much before the bus arrives. In my POV I carry my fire gear, on my person the largest majority of the time, I carry my Glock 23 and badge.

[jeeper]

We are required by policy to carry a reload with our pistol if we carry off duty. Having said that, the department is not big on people carrying off duty.

Here's what I carry:
-Glock 26 in an IWB (rarely a Glock 17)
-Glock 19mag or Glock 17 mag in a belt pouch
-Strider folding knife
-badge on belt clip and neck chain
-department ID in wallet
-cellphone with nationwide service
-Surefire E2 flashlight
-First Defense (Def-Tec) MkIV OC can
-2 of those handy little fabric "quick cuffs"

I keep a pair of Hiatt handcuffs in the carr in a clip on belt pouch. If I could find some decent light weight cuffs (like the old American ones) I'd carry those. This is all easily carried in my cargo shorts or on my instructor style belt or painter style jeans and completely and comfortably concealed.

[eddog0415]

Sounds like you guys live in a war zone or somthing. You dont carry gernades or rocket launchers? In my town, a on Duty Officer is no more than 2 min away. I rarely carry off duty while in my own town. When i venture to the city for court or somthing i might grab my little glock 27, but then again, there are like 10-20 city cops armed at court. Kinda pointless. I know there are all the "what ifs" and stuff, but i guess i live on the "edge".

Stay safe and do what you gotta do to feel safe!
Ed

[KenW.]

We are required by policy to carry a reload with our pistol if we carry off duty. Having said that, the department is not big on people carrying off duty.

Here's what I carry:
-Glock 26 in an IWB (rarely a Glock 17)
-Glock 19mag or Glock 17 mag in a belt pouch
-Strider folding knife
-badge on belt clip and neck chain
-department ID in wallet
-cellphone with nationwide service
-Surefire E2 flashlight
-First Defense (Def-Tec) MkIV OC can
-2 of those handy little fabric "quick cuffs"

I keep a pair of Hiatt handcuffs in the carr in a clip on belt pouch. If I could find some decent light weight cuffs (like the old American ones) I'd carry those. This is all easily carried in my cargo shorts or on my instructor style belt or painter style jeans and completely and comfortably concealed.

HOLY SMOKES!!! All this OFF-DUTY? Do you live in Beirut? Two badges? 2 quick cuffs?

Wow.