Off-Duty & Retired Cop Carry Considerations

August 23, 2019

In the new training textbook, Street Survival II, published by Calibre Press, co-authors Chuck Remsberg, Lt. Dan Marcou and Lt. Jim Glennon share some important off-duty carry considerations for both active and retired officers. Here’s what they have to say:

If you carry off duty, there are some critical realities to keep in mind. In most cases:

– You don’t have a radio.

– You don’t have immediate backup.

– You’re not wearing a ballistic vest.

– You don’t have a duty to act.

– You don’t have a duty to carry unless your policy dictates.

– You likely don’t have liability protection if you’re retired or even if you carry a permit issued by your department. Your off-duty coverage can likely be described as limited at best, depending on where you work.

This is not to say that a highly trained officer should not carry off-duty or after retirement. There are some tactical considerations, however, that you should bear in mind.

Here are some suggestions:

– Train live-fire with your off-duty weapon regularly.

– Regularly practice your draw with a red training gun replica of your off-duty weapon off-range and with your weapon and holster on-range.

– Obtain and practice with a secure but concealed holster. Retention is as much an issue off-duty as on.

– Carry spare ammo.

– For the benefit of witnesses and responding officers, carry a means to ID yourself. Practice shouting out verbal identifications as you draw: “Police officer!” or “Retired police officer!”

– Practice making a call while giving your own description for responding officers.

– Consider preparing a go-bag for an active assailant situation which includes extra ammo, vest, police raid jacket, handcuffs, tac light and first aid equipment like bandages and tourniquets.

– Always keep your weapon concealed. The biggest tactical advantage you have will be sacrificed if you wear “I’m a cop” clothes and allow your weapon to be easily spotted. That tactical advantage is to be able to surprise and flank a suspect.

– Clean your weapon regularly.

When choosing your off-duty weapon, consider carrying a smaller version of your on-duty weapon. For example, if you carry a Glock 17, consider a Glock 26 for your off-duty carry. They function similarly and your magazines will fit and function in both.

And a word of advice: Getting involved off-duty should only be a last resort…when lives are in the balance. In other cases of minor enforcement, calling 911 and being a great witness is the best option.

 

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join the 125,000+ law enforcement professionals who receive the weekly Calibre newsletter filled with analysis of force encounters caught on video, training articles, product reviews, expert commentary and more.

Subscribe

Cart

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

State of the Troops

State of the Troops

Should College Degrees Be Required to Be a Cop? Cops Respond

Should College Degrees Be Required to Be a Cop? Cops Respond

A College Degree Proves What? Police Agencies Should Rethink the Necessity of College Degrees for Applicants

A College Degree Proves What? Police Agencies Should Rethink the Necessity of College Degrees for Applicants

Is the Graham Standard in Play if Officers are Charged Criminally?

Is the Graham Standard in Play if Officers are Charged Criminally?

Calibre Press Launches Video Service for In-House Training: “The Vault”

Calibre Press Launches Video Service for In-House Training: “The Vault”