Last week I was enjoying an early dinner at a small local restaurant. I notice a gentleman walk in with wife and small children. Nice looking family, but my eyes were immediately drawn to the fellow. The gentleman was dressed nicely, but in plain clothes. On his waist was a holstered pistol. I then noticed the handcuffs and the shiney gold badge.

While I definitely appreciate the officer being there, I thought it was a little tacky of him exposing the gun, handcuffs and badge.

My agency required the tools of the trade be covered up when in plainclothes and in public view.

My first thought was "aha, macho cop, look at me"
My second thought was "he trying to get a reduced rate meal?"

Now I'm not saying anything against any officers, they have my full support.

I just thought it was in bad taste to exhibit himself like this. Now if he were in full uniform I would have no problem.

That's funny. I feel the same way about people who wear their karate uniforms to restaurants and stores.

Do you really gotta announce to the world that you're a martial artist? At least change out of your top. Most people wear t-shirts underneath them anyway.

Well, the first thing I saw was the gun. Now I know most evil doers don't wear their guns in holsters, but my personal alert level went from orange to red for that brief period of time until I saw the badge. I never did get a good look at the badge, and for all I know the guy could have been wearing a fake badge. I didn't recognize the shape, and I know what Hagerstown, MD State Police and Sheriff's look like and it wasn't one of theirs.

Maybe he was sending a message to the criminals. Hey I'm here, look out.

Maybe he was Park Service? or Animal Control? Don't those guys carry guns and handcuffs, too?

Why not ask him what agency he was with?

I noticed this a lot in the metro DC area (especially PG county). Off duty cops made no effort to conceal their weapons and nobody else even seemed to pay attention, like it was the norm. Maybe its an accepted practice in other areas and the cop was passing through?

edit - this may become even more common now that they've passed the law that allows qualified current and retired cops to carry nationwide.

thanks for responding SMan... do you know what the policy is for the local guys? concealed or open carry?

I would think that maybe, If they should there guns more, whether their on duty or not.

If the criminals could see more officers where around, maybe that would lower the crime rate. Then again that could just be my wishful thinking.

More cops, even ex-cops in good standing, with guns -- sounds okay by me. Concealed or not is fine by me, but if open carry is the rule the public should be notified. If Yoss doesn't know -- well, he ain't real public...

And in doing so they have given away the element of surprise. Martial arts work best when someone is not aware of what you know.

I see this quite often in Hagerstown.

Now as far as the police officer. Could he have been on duty and possibly having lunch with his family? I mean if he was a uniformed officer and having lunch wouldn't all his tools be exposed?

Maybe you stumbled across a BC meeting and that was an FBI agent.

Seriously, I could have been an FBI agent.

come on peacefrog.. i was trying to ignore that.....

Almost made a duplicate posting on that one.

OHH you need to wash your mind out with soap.....LOL.......
I can't believe I wrote that without the thought of how the meaning of words have changed.