Are off duty officers allowed to wear their vests and weapons anywhere they go?

Question

I was just wondering if off duty officers wear their vests and weapons and if so, does it have to be concealed or can it be unconcealed.

I live in MD and was just wondering....That's the field I'm going into by the way..

Answer 1

Sure, if an officer fear retribution from a criminal element wouldn't he be foolish not only to carry his off duty weapon but also wear his vest for self protection.

Just use some common sense, what would you do.

Answer 2

In Illinois, by law, off duty officers are allowed to carry. There is no law about officers wearing vests, there is a law saying you cannot wear a vest while committing certain crimes.
Chicago department regulations require that any officer in civilian dress, off duty or not, must conceal their weapon(s).
Officers in Illinois are required to take police action when it is seriously needed, off or on duty. That action can be a little as calling 911.
Officers in Chicago are encouraged to carry off duty if they are not going out drinking. The department gives off duty training actions training.

Answer 3

All California Peace Officers can carry at all times on and off duty. And the Federal law as of 2004 is all peace officers can carry in any state as long as their home state allows it.

The anywhere has some exceptions like casino and airports beyond the gate along with event venues like concerts, however if they don't allow then they have to provide lockers to store them.

Answer 4

In my state, being a police officer, even from a different state IS a concealed carry permit. Some departments REQUIRE officers to carry their weapons 24/7. The specific rules vary by department.

Answer 5

Wow, by some of these answers, I'm actually proud to live in NY for once. NY law enforcement officers are all allowed to carry off duty and they carry based on their badge. They do not need any sort of concealed carry permit like any non LEO would need. I'm pretty shocked at two of the poster's answers and I'm curious as to where they live.

I'm one of a fortunate few civilians in NY that gets to carry based on my job.

Answer 6

A sworn officer in Indiana can carry his weapon anytime, and also wear his vest if he likes, but if you ever had a vest on, you wouldn't want to wear if off duty.

Answer 7

In some cities,off-duty officers are required to concealed carry.

Answer 8

In 2004, a law was signed in to effect by the President that allows law enforcement officials to carry concealed nationwide. The department they work for has the final say in authorization to carry concealed but many agencies permit it.

Answer 9

They can carry around their weapon like keep it in their car but most likely they won't be wearing their vest or weapon everywhere they go while off duty.

Answer 10

WOW, I am guessing some of you aren't in law enforcement.

Obviously it varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but we can carry our vest/wear it off duty and carry our gun as we please off duty. We don't need a license to carry it. Our stuff doesn't stay at the department, because I own all my law enforcement equipment.