Conceal Carry Badge - Legal?

[mrjam2jab]

I thought that a badge represented a symbol of legal authority on behalf of someone else. Thus, police carry badges. Security guards carry badges even if they don't have a gun because they have legal authority to act one some body else's behalf.

I think i have that badge... Was given to me some years back...as a joke if i recall correctly. I asked an LEO friend about it, and he said that any LEO who saw it would want to know what "official office" you were trying to represent being part of...as in you're saying you have authority to have a badge without actually having that authority...

[jcabin]

I think the premise of having something to show the police in a situation where your gun is drawn on a felon, so that they dont shoot you, is a great idea. Unfortunately I cannot think of any legal way to implement this.

I'd say skip the badge, it's more trouble than its worth.

[son of the revolution]

and he said that any LEO who saw it would want to know what "official office" you were trying to represent being part of...as in you're saying you have authority to have a badge without actually having that authority...

Oh , like we've heard so many times how cops have thought OCing a pistol was somone representing themself as an off duty or UC Officer ?

[falcn]

Here ya go guys, complete with official Commonwealth of PA state seal. Click to enlarge, print it out and carry it with you or paste it on a cap or your shirt!

And no, I am not advocating that you actually do this...just an attempt at humor...


but it is a great looking badge!

This needs to be a t-shirt for sure!

[mjf]

If I was in a SD shooting off-duty and I couldn't contact 9-1-1, I would hold up my badge and credentials with my support hand for the arriving officers to see as long as I could do it safely. I still expect to be disarmed, possibly spread eagled on the ground until they check my credentials. That's not a problem for me since the police can not safely assume who's the good or bad guy. Of course I hope I'm never put in that situation.

It's not the badge, it's the credentials that are important.

And no there is no secret code word. LOL

The allegheny county reserve deputy sheriff card looks fake though... anyone could make one in their basement with a laminator. First time I saw one of those things I thought it was surely a fake.

[chrisjames_71]

Is there a "secret code word" between LEOs that you shout out to your fellow LEOs so they know you are a good guy?
Just wondering.

Yes there is, can't tell you why though. Just like we can't tell you why we touch the tailend of your car on traffic stops...

If all else fails, I would hold my anti-crime tool on the BG, and as the LEO's pull, up raise my off hand while lowering the tool to the ground and coming up pointing at said bad guy. that would lower the threat level mentally and already begin formulating a plan of action for the LEO... as they are more-than-likely going instantly realize the "more than likely good guy" from the "more than likely bad guy"... giving you precious moments to clarify the situation.

So are you saying that you would raise your gun into the air, then aim it at the ground, and then aim it at the bad guy again after doing so???

[son of the revolution]

Well thats at least one retired officer ( 1861 ) and at least one other active duty officer ( Dave ) that seem to support my contention that ridiculing the idea of a CCW badge merely because of " mall ninja's " isnt maybe such a well thought out position . Im not trying to put words in anyones keyboard , but my read on their specific responses is that it seems to jive with the argument that in very narrow circumstances, having a badge displayed may in fact slow the situation down with regards to first arriving officers .

Which is all I was stating to begin with , that the discussion of the pro's and cons needed to be had in a well thought out and serious manner , instead of just tossing it aside with a snort of derision and a dose of sarcasm

[HiredGoon]

If I was in a SD shooting off-duty and I couldn't contact 9-1-1, I would hold up my badge and credentials with my support hand for the arriving officers to see as long as I could do it safely. I still expect to be disarmed, possibly spread eagled on the ground until they check my credentials. That's not a problem for me since the police can not safely assume who's the good or bad guy. Of course I hope I'm never put in that situation.

It's not the badge, it's the credentials that are important.

And no there is no secret code word. LOL

OK, thanks for your insight, Dave. And riiiiiiiiight..."no secret code word". Wink wink nudge nudge LOL!

Or how about... "Don't shoot...PAFOA Member!"

Of course that might get you shot!

[mjf]

We have a general (non-uniform) and a uniformed reserve. The general reserve carry a badge and credentials that says reserve on them.

I'm in the uniformed reserve and our badge and new credentials (issued by Sheriff Mullen) are identical to the full timers. But yes they are actually made and laminated in the basement of one of our officers home.

The office already has a card printer, used for LTCF issuance, so why not just use the same printer for internal IDs? A laminated piece of paper looks.... fake?

Are the full time act-2 deputies issued certification cards by PCCD/are they also issued mpoetc cert card, since they are also act 120?

[HiredGoon]

I'm also ACT235 certified and authorised to carry a "State Certified Officer" badge. But if I actually owned one, I would never raise that to represent myself in any official capacity. Same thing with the CCW badges, I would never buy one or carry one. And yes there is also a state issued ID card for the ACT235 certification.

If I didn't carry a badge or couldn't display it safely, and I was involved in a SD shoot. I might possibly go to a low ready or to "safety circle" with my firearm when the responding officers arrived and wait for them to tell me what to do next. And believe me I'd do everything they told me to do.

Does MPOTEC also issue you an ID card with your department name once you take their training? I thought I heard something to that effect before? Or is that the ACT235 card?