Another Police Officer to praise

[Falcon118]

Hi again all.

I have another report to share with you, this time out of Monroeville.

On Sat. Jan 17th, A friend and I went to the cricket wireless store to pay a bill, OCing of course. In the store was an armed security guard with just "Certified Officer" on his uniform. When we went up to the counter to pay the bill.. the security guard said, "Hey!!! if you have a permit you have to cover that up." I advised the officer of legal open carry, to which he just restated that if I had a permit, that I had to conceal. I advised him that he had no authority to make me conceal. The guard then threatened to call the police department if I didn't conceal. I told him that I would wait for the police to arrive so I could speak with them. (Disclaimer: AT no time did the mgmt ask me to leave. The manager on duty had no problem with my OC)

The guard called the Monroeville Police department, and they sent Sgt. Ronald Hainsey. The guard told Sgt. Hainsey that I was open carrying and that I had to conceal. To my surprise, Sgt. Hainsey advised the security guard that open carry is legal. The Sgt. advised the guard that Cricket could ask me to leave if they desired, but could not force me to conceal. He even knew that I didn't have to even carry a permit, and he did not ask me for it.

To his credit, the security guard gave me no more hassle after being educated by a police officer. Sgt. Hainsey stated that the entire Monroeville Police department had recently trained on current gun laws, including citizens open carrying.

I haven't posted this for almost a week, because I wanted a chance to sit down and talk with Chief George Polnar, which I have done as of yesterday. I relayed the entire story to the chief along with a letter. Chief Polnar advised me that he would share the letter with Sgt. Hainsey and then add it to the Sgt.'s personel file. +1 for the Monroeville police as I continue to have GREAT experiences OCing in and around my home area.

ETA: Thanks also to Ed in PA for reading my letter before I submitted it.

[Brown-Bear]

In before the "Why should we praise them for doing their job crowd". I for one am glad very glad to hear such stories. At least some dept's are educating their officers. As for the security guard, I expect nothing less from them than poor attitude and inferiority complexes.

Dave W.

[The_Game]

In as the "Why should we praise them for doing their job?" crowd.

Really, that's how it should be.

[Falcon118]

In as the "Why should we praise them for doing their job?" crowd.

Really, that's how it should be.

Agreed. When was the last time ANYONE was upset for being praised for "Just doing their job?"

[MichaelJ]

In as the "Why should we praise them for doing their job?" crowd.

Really, that's how it should be.

Positive reinforcement works much gooder then negative.

Police Officers deal with negative most of the day, so sometimes a little praise goes a long way. Sure, they "should" be doing things a certain way, but you "should" too.

You can always start by being nice and move twords being "not nice". You can't do it the opposite way and expect positive results.

[Mabuz]

^Right on. A little "thanks for doing a good job" never hurts. I bet everyone that thinks we shouldn't have to say good job to a police officer for "just doing his job" absolutely hates it if their boss tells them they did a good job with something at work.

[JGeezer1986]

Agreed with last poster.. I like when i am told at work that i have done a good job and i dont see why a cop would be any different.. And yes Kudos to that LEO for knowing his shit. Rent-a-Cops are ass holes! Maybe this LEO is a supporter of gun rights.. Maybe we should invite him to our site.. Actually not to veer from the topic , but maybe we should inform all of our local LEO's of our website.. Maybe that is the next move in Activism of gun rights.. Maybe that will help the uninformed LEO's get interested in learning about our rights.. "thats just my opinion , i could be wrong" (Quote: Dennis Miller)

[msquaredserver]

Wow. Impressive. And on top of that, encouraging the entire police force with a positive review and formal letter to one of the officers merits a +1.

[Bersa45]

Everybody in their everyday jobs need a pat on the back once in while and a atta boy in the file....I'll give two atta boys to the officer and 1/2 atta boy to the security guard for eating crow professionally. Good post.....reps coming for staying calm

[bogey1]

very good post...(op)