How would you handle it off duty?

[55chevypost]

"Popped Tin?" That's the last thing I would have done. Usually when you "pop tin," it only escalates situations when at the current moment, they didn't need to be escalated. Simply swallowing your pride and walking away with your mouth shut would have ended it. Had the guy come after the off duty OP, then that would have shown him as a "true victim" who retreated first, yet was attacked and did what was necessary to stop the aggressor. It's sad it has to be that way nowa days, but that's the way it is.

I know one cop that "popped tin" and the bad guy went around the corner, called 911 and said he just got 245'd by a "bad guy " with a gun! The Calvary rolled and did their thing. It was the cops word against the real bad guy. The off duty cop went through embarrassment, hell and an IA with his dept.

Many people use the off duty badge-flash against cops. Hell, standing in full uniform with a Sam brown on nowa days doesn't even intimidate bad guys, let alone flashing a badge with your wife there, all the while you're wearing flip-flops and a tank top.

I'd only pull that badge out after I was forced to defend myself and shoot someone (God forbid), as the police drove up. In California, one isn't required to flash the badge anyway. Merely stating you're a police officer is sufficient in the eyes of the court.

Under the given circumstances presented by the OP, flashing the badge off duty like that Isn't a smart move if you ask me. Then what do you do when the two bad guys feel even more brave, laugh at you and take it to the next level? Again, walking away like the OP did, solved the problem. Mouthing off is what I or anyone else would LOVE to do too, but it's not a good idea in today's litigious anti-cop society.

Well said.

[infamous1979]

Call his work and make a complaint. Get those bozos in work clothes and work vehicle fired!

[epilepticninja]

Most of the dirtbags in this state know that they can cause a whole bunch of **** with someone, and end up coming out as the victims when you smack them upside their heads. OP, you did the best thing possible.

[Che762x39]

Call his work and make a complaint. Get those bozos in work clothes and work vehicle fired!

That might work if they are city employees or work for Edison or AT&T.

But "Homeboy Landscaping"? No one is getting fired there.

[Rickrock1]

This is normal behavior in CA, just don't take your eyes of the prize.