LEO firearms laws/off duty carry etc

[ad40]

hello all,

I will be graduating from the police academy next week and begin FTO. I have worked so hard to graduate and feel so happy and humble to complete the academy. I have pushed myself more mentally (stress), physically and academically than ever before in my life. I realize this is just the start of my journey. I will start FTO shortly and I am really excited, nervous as well. I have a few questions:

1. Do the firearms exemptions for LEO still exist in regards to firearms for off duty carry? Specifically the 1-30 handgun law. Do you prefer single stack handguns for comfort in carrying concealed? If so, which firearms do you recommend?

2. Which duty knife do you prefer and why?

3. Any tips for FTO would be appreciated



Thank you for any advice you may give.

[Anti-Hero]

Congratulations, the academy is a major life achievement.

1). Yes, under leosa/hr 218 and most department policies, you will be able to carry off duty, in any state, with the same federal building exclusions.

1.2) You can only exempt the 1-30 purchase if you have a dept letter on letterhead.

[mixicus]

2. Which duty knife do you prefer and why?
First: it must be within agency policy. Does your agency allow fixed, folders or both? What is any blade length restriction does policy state? Any other restrictions?
Second: do you primarily view it as a tool (prying things open) or a weapon (last ditch/weapon retention device)? I'd have a hard time justifying a $150-200 waved Emerson CQCx to just pry on things but it's a great choice for the second thought. Something like a Spyderco Endura is a nice general purpose duty folder for half the $ as an Emerson.

3. Any tips for FTO would be appreciated.
Big ears, little mouth.
Know where you are at all times.
If you don't know: ask.
Officer safety. Most other things can be taught but you need your head screwed on right safety-wise.

[Ralston]

Congrats. What agency are you with?

[Petro6golf]

I carry a bodyguard 380 as a backup on duty and for off duty. I also carry a glock 27 for off duty.

I dont have a knife for prying on stuff. I carry a ka-bar TDI for weapon retention. Great knife.

Keep your ears open and your mouth shut. ask questions. be firm, polite and professional with people;You will see everyone twice or more and they will remember you even if you dont remember them. Dont talk smack about your partners to other partners or get caught up in dept drama. your new and no one wants to hear your stories so keep them to yourself. You have 20 years to make friends and 6 months to prove yourself. dont go out and buy a new car or house while on fto; its a bad omen; workout and stay in shape. Dont be lazy and be motivated to help everyone even if your down paperwork, word will get around that your a good beat partner. Dont write bs tickets for no front license plate or tail light being out; peoples lives are hard enought without you writing a ticket for stupid crap.

[AR15Man]

hello all,

I will be graduating from the police academy next week and begin FTO. I have worked so hard to graduate and feel so happy and humble to complete the academy. I have pushed myself more mentally (stress), physically and academically than ever before in my life. I realize this is just the start of my journey. I will start FTO shortly and I am really excited, nervous as well. I have a few questions:

1. Do the firearms exemptions for LEO still exist in regards to firearms for off duty carry? Specifically the 1-30 handgun law. Do you prefer single stack handguns for comfort in carrying concealed? If so, which firearms do you recommend?

2. Which duty knife do you prefer and why?

3. Any tips for FTO would be appreciated



Thank you for any advice you may give.

Adding to the other great advise I'd recommend you speak to your local PORAC and FOP Rep. about purchasing Professional Liability Insurance.

http://www.fop.net/

http://poracldf.org/

I know you're at a starting salary but in today's litigious society it's a MANDATORY and a NECESSITY to carry professional liability insurance that covers;

1) Criminal, Civil and Administrative Actions;
2) Coverage for all 50 State LEOSA jurisdictions;
3) Coverage for civil monetary tort actions , (most home owners don't provide coverage).

You have accomplished a great milestone, now unfortunately you'll need added protections to safeguard your employment as well as your personal assets.

Best of Luck

[Virus55]

Congrats! What dept?

I carry the glock 42 off duty. I love that gun and encourage you to get it. Kabar is a great knife company. You do not need a letter head to buy more than one handgun in a month. Your dept id is all u need. Look it up or call your local gun shops.

[Marty33]

You need to be focused on making it past FTO rather than what kind of stuff you can carry off duty.
They should have covered this with you in the Academy, and your Deptartment certainlyshould have covered it.

[Rogue187]

There is no 1-30 day limit for LE.
If you want to buy a gun everyday for a month you can..If you want to take it home without waiting the 10 days then you need the letter.

As long as you are a peace officer then you are good..

The 10 day waiting period is waived if you have a letter from the department. As I said above you can buy a gun everyday for a month but you just have to wait. There is no restriction.

[micro911]

Congratulations..

1. I carry the same pistol off duty. I also carry a 2" 38 in my pocket occasionally.

2. I used to carry Cold Steel knife in my knife pouch on the belt. I also carried a very thin Spyderco Police knife on my vest strap just in case.

3. One thing I can suggest is know the patrol area. I made many copies of my RD map and highlighted every street, one street in each sheet, and indexed them. I memorized the streets and it became so helpful.

[Anti-Hero]

I learned something here.

I was always under the _incorrect_ assumption paper was needed for 1-30 exemption. Guess I don't buy enough guns these days.

[retired]

Know where you are at all times.

All good advice given and this is one of many that stands out. Do not be surprised when your FTO stops the car, shouts out, "I'm injured, where are we?" as a test.

If this were to actually occur, his/her life and yours may depend on you knowing exactly where you are so you can get help and paramedics rolling to your location to assist.

Even if you are writing a report, look up and keep track of the street you are on and the cross street if any. If you make it off FTO, this will be something you will still need to do so long as you are on patrol. It will hopefully become instinctive.

[jmatt511]

Big ears, little mouth.
Know where you are at all times.
If you don't know: ask.
Officer safety. Most other things can be taught but you need your head screwed on right safety-wise.

Couldn't have said it better. Eyes open, mouth shut, unless it to identify a threat. Listen and learn. Good luck.

[WyattandDoc]

Fixed it for you....
3. Any tips for FTO would be appreciated.
Big ears, little mouth.
Know where you are at all times!!!!!!.
If you don't know: Research it. If you can't find the answer, then ask.
Officer safety. Most other things can be taught but you need your head screwed on right safety-wise. Keep your head on a swivel at all times. Write one line, swivel. Write another line, swivel. On your T-Stops, find the hands- check the entire interior, swivel. Check the entire interior- watch the hands, swivel.
Otherwise perfect.....

[Che762x39]

3. Any tips for FTO would be appreciated

My tip as a FTO for seven years. FTO is the sensei and you are "grasshopper". He/she must know something for the department to trust a valuable asset (you) to them so pay attention. And know where you are at always.