Rules for plain clothes officers and gun carrying in the US

[wiking]

I'll put this in the Equipment & Gear forum, best one for it as i can see.

This has been brought up before, but never fully been explained, so i'd ask.

I've watched lots of movies and TV series with cops, and most all of them carry their firearms fully visible (when in plain clothes), either under a coat or just hanging on their side wearing T-shirts.

Considering the rules for civilian concealed carry, i atleast assume the rules are similar, since an apparent civilian with a gun in a holster would be conceived as, well, politically incorrect to say the least by the average Joe and Jane in the street.

I have seen a documentary though, where a off duty police officer who was riding a motorcycle and only wearing a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, had the grip of a revolver sticking out of his pocket.
clearly he was carrying it in a pocket holster.

So, anyone here a law enforcement officer who carries off duty or work out of uniform, or just someone with this kind of info?

[Glass2]

Specific policy varies with dept., and it also varies alot depending on the capacity inwhich officers are operating in. I mean that in the sense that there are several roles in which an officer may work in plain clothes, and those roles will often determine how they wear their duty gun.

Typcially though, it is mandatory that your badge be visable if your weapon is worn open carry. This is why you often see the badge worn on the belt, same side as the weapon. Logic being if someone glances and sees your gun, it is a good chance they'll see your badge too.

As far as off duty carry, most depts. require that your firearm be concealed when carrying off duty. I say most as there is always the potential for exception, but I've never heard of a dept. allowing officers to carry open when off duty.

Most, and probably all, depts. required officers to carry their badge at all times if they are going to carry off duty. If they have to draw their weapon and become involved while off duty, it is important to their safety that they be able to immediately identify themselves as a LE officer to the responding unit.

Alot of depts. require officers to carry concealed at all times when off duty.

I know federal law was just passed that allows LE officers to carry concealed across state lines anywhere in the country. This applies to current LE and Retired.

[wiking]

Thanks, been wondering about this for a while.

It's a bitch when something is in the back of your mind and you don't know the answer.

[sgtmonroe]

All it depends on your department's SOP.

When I worked for Dallas County - off duty officers had to carry totally concealed [i.e. under a coat or jacket or ankle holster]. Weapons could not be worn out in the open while off duty.

At Brown County off duty weapons could be worn totally concealed or out in the open with badge displayed.

Now I am with Nacogdoches County and the same applies as with Brown County - concealed or in the open with badge displayed.

[Creeper]

have a nice day.