Do you carry handcuffs off duty?

[CAL]

Why or why not? This question seems to cause a lot of debate and I'm curious why this is.

[Reno911]

I don't carry handcuffs off duty because I'm not going to get into an enforcement/arrest situation. Our department has a "be a good witness" policy. Not all people agree with this, but it's a Dept. policy. I do carry off duty to protect my family.

[Broke Hoss]

I carry a weapon but no cuffs. I carried thumbcuffs (worthless) and later a set of lightweight S&W cuffs many years ago. But I found no need and usually a pain to conceal. All but my wife's car have a set in the console & I have a pair in my bailout bag.

[Feet]

I don't carry handcuffs off duty because I'm not going to get into an enforcement/arrest situation. Our department has a "be a good witness" policy. Not all people agree with this, but it's a Dept. policy. I do carry off duty to protect my family.

Same here.
I have lots of guns and ammo, even some pepper spray in my truck but I don't want to get fired. Worst case scenario, I can keep the suspect detained by keeping my shoe on the back of his neck.

[DD78]

If I'm carrying a gun, I'm carrying handcuffs. Not because I want to be a cowboy, but because they go hand in hand with each other.

[FerretLE426]

If you have a reason to shoot someone and he is not dead you will be wanting something to keep him immobile until others show up. Think about this you handcuff the badguy and render first aid(training remember!) Do you really want to be holdin a gun when the first rookie shows up and sees a guy over another with a gun out and nothing tells him you are a cop!
I teach all my guys to carry a gun, magazine and handcuffs per departmental policy.

[CAL]

If you have a reason to shoot someone and he is not dead you will be wanting something to keep him immobile until others show up. Think about this you handcuff the badguy and render first aid(training remember!) Do you really want to be holdin a gun when the first rookie shows up and sees a guy over another with a gun out and nothing tells him you are a cop!
I teach all my guys to carry a gun, magazine and handcuffs per departmental policy.
Good point!

[4P93]

I carry cuffs off duty... something I was told when I first started, If you're going to carry your weapon off duty, you better have your badge, and you better have your cuffs...after all, if the situation is bad enough that you have to get involved off duty... how are you going to restrain the subject without cuffs? Are you going to stand there and be the guy holding them at gunpoint when uniformed officers arrive?

[SARSpecialist]

If you have a reason to shoot someone and he is not dead you will be wanting something to keep him immobile until others show up. Think about this you handcuff the badguy and render first aid(training remember!) Do you really want to be holdin a gun when the first rookie shows up and sees a guy over another with a gun out and nothing tells him you are a cop!
I teach all my guys to carry a gun, magazine and handcuffs per departmental policy.

Your in a position to have to immediatly stop a threat.. the puke gives up.. you have drawn weapon, you prone them out.. this person is still a threat until he is made immobile.. I carry cuffs every time I carry a gun.. I am a Sheep dog... not a Sheep

[TPD1407]

I carry cuffs, and when directed a weapon, on duty. However, as a LE Chaplain I try not to ever carry a weapon unless there is a highly unusual situation, such as an active manhunt, multiple offender search, etc. I do carry cuffs when I am on more to have as a backup for the officer I am with than for my own use, although that has also come up in the past. As a Certified Chaplain I have found that our role is often a delicate balancing act between supporting the other officers and also being open and accessible to the public in the unique way a LE Chaplain should be. Carrying a firearm and cuffs tends to lessen that accessibility. With all that said, when it is deemed necessary I will carry both whenever indicated - I usually follow the Chief's or Patrol Super's lead on when that time is.




(Now, with my wife off duty, that's another matte.... oh, sorry :busted: just kidding!)

[Maverick1701]

It depends on what I am doing. If I am carrying my firearm (off-duty), then yes I usually throw a pair of cuffs in my back pocket.

[dglarimore]

I carry mine at all times, on duty and off duty. never know if I might need them.

[AggiePhil]

I carry cuffs off duty... Are you going to stand there and be the guy holding them at gunpoint when uniformed officers arrive?
Actually, yes, that's exactly what I plan on doing!


Same here.
I have lots of guns and ammo, even some pepper spray in my truck but I don't want to get fired. Worst case scenario, I can keep the suspect detained by keeping my shoe on the back of his neck.
Is that why your username is "Feet"? :rofl:

[CAL]

Now that I have been on the job for a bit I find that I usually carry a weapon off duty but usually don't carry cuffs - I leave them in my vehicle. I may carry cuffs if I am at an event that has a higher probability of needing them.

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[Swat791]

If I am carrying a handgun, which I do 99% of the time now, I will have a badge, cuffs, extra magazines, small high output flashlight...

Sounds over kill but now days with all the cases of active shooters we all need to carry an off duty gear bag of goodies.

Like others have stated, if I have to shoot them I want to secure them so I am not looked at as the bad guy when the uniforms shows up!

[kpd117]

I carry my handgun and Taser!