LEO needing CHL/Out of state license

[1s1k52]

In the police academy right now. As I am being told I will only be permitted to carry my duty weapon and/or a weapon approved by the department. I asked the exact question. "I will not be able to carry my 10mm anymore?" The answer was no. It is restricted to gun and caliber which requires qualification. That is pretty frustration considering I have no desire to carry a Sig 226 on duty let alone get a new wardrobe and holster. So aside from losing my job if something went wrong does this do anything for or against me possessing my chl?

Also a fellow recruit just moved from TN. He just renewed before moving and is forced, for obvious reasons, to get a Texas DL for employment with the agency. Does he have to get a Texas CHL to carry now? I think I remember Florida I believe making it so you had to have their license if you had their drivers license. I googled for a minute but honestly if someone could help me I would appreciate it because I need to study. Thanks in advance.

[EEllis]

if I'm understanding correctly, the restriction is purely a department regulation. It would have no effect on the legality of your carry under CHL. Of course if you use did you would most probably lose your job but you would not have to worry about being charged with a crime for carrying an unauthorized firearms. Texas allows you to carry under other states CHL even when you have a texas drivers license

[kenobi]

Texas has at will employment so if you violate your employer's rules they can fire you, unless thier policy violates the law.

Your classmate will have to follow Tennessee rules about address change, non-resident TN permit rules, and so on.

[1s1k52]

thanks guys.

[JKTex]

Just to add clarification, your department can dictate what you carry when you are carrying as an LEO. If they require you to carry off duty, then I think I'd carry what they require you to. Seems like back in the day HPD for example, required officers to carry off duty. At least friends of mine had too. It was strange the first time one did, right out of the academy and we went out to a favorite bar/dance-hall. He was nervous, but at the door flashed his badge as he had his off duty sidearm tucked in the back of his jeans (he's learned better over the last 30 years) and even got in free. We still had to pay. :D On your own time carrying as a civilian, you carry what you want to carry and would need a CHL under most circumstances.

[KRM45]

I suggest saving most of your law enforcement specific questions for law enforcement personnel. Most of these questions will be good for your FTO. The non LEO answers you get here will generally not be very good.

Once you are sworn in, you will no longer be subject to most of the CHL restrictions, and under the law you can carry anything just about anywhere you want. Departmental policy will dictate what you get in trouble with the job over, not what you can legally do.

[mojo84]

Not so sure I'd be posting my frustrations with my employer/future employer on a public forum lime this. As a cadet in the academy hoping to get on permanently once I graduated I'd be real careful what I posted.

[gigag04]

I think DPD may be civil service.

You may also find that once you're in and off probation, you might get different answers.

[srothstein]

Your question is more complex than you might think because of the employment twists. When you are a commissioned peace officer, the law allows you to carry any weapon you desire. If you leave Texas, you can still carry a pistol but it must be concealed and you are required to obey the local laws on concealed carry being forbidden by property owners. This is covered under federal law (the Law Enforcement Officer's Safety ACT - LEOSA).

But, the agency has rules and they can apply when off duty. It may take disciplinary action against you for violating those rules, up to and including termination. This can restrict the weapon you carry, even to a specific model. It, like many other questions on the board, means you can be fired but not arrested for carrying what you want.

The real trick on disciplinary action by a department is that it could be covered by either civil service or a contract or both. Dallas is covered by both. Texas has passed laws for peace officers and firefighters that allow for full civil service protection. This does not mean you cannot be fired, but it does require cause after your probation period ends and it also provides a specific procedure that must be obeyed for the discipline to work. Peace officers and firefighters are also the only government employees that may have collective bargaining. This means that there is a union that negotiates a contract. The contract may include rules that must be obeyed but it also usually has a discipline procedure in it. This will work in conjunction with the civil service procedure and usually enhances your protection. The union will almost always be forced to provide an attorney to defend you in discipline cases.

What this boils down to that the regs may limit what you can carry, but it does not make any of it a criminal act if you violate them. You may be suspended or fired but there are strict procedures that must be followed for that to happen. Given the changes you just made in your life, I strongly suggest following the procedures and carrying how and what they say, especially until you have completed probation where you might be able to change departments to one more to you liking.

[1s1k52]

Thanks for the replies. More people started chiming in with all kinds of questions through out. I gave up and went researching the hundreds of thousands of paper work. In order for me to renew my CHL when it expires I have to jump through some hoops at the department. For awhile I will only be able to carry the 226 or purchase a 229 (what I intend to do) The firearms instructor, well one of them anyways, fielded some questions about why its better to carry it off duty versus something else for awhile. It all boils down to more of legal matters in the case of a shooting not using a firearm they have me qualified for. I often forget not everyone in the academy has held a gun before let alone carried one for awhile. After talking to him on the side for a minute he understood why I would want to carry a Glock as it is what I have got the most used to and prefer. Ah well. Have to graduate still.

Thanks again.

[1s1k52]

Not so sure I'd be posting my frustrations with my employer/future employer on a public forum lime this. As a cadet in the academy hoping to get on permanently once I graduated I'd be real careful what I posted.

Ok? Not sure how you got that out of me talking about the sig 226 and not looking forward to adjusting to a new gun and new holster. In what way did I insult the department? If having a difference in opinion on firearms was grounds for termination and/or not being hired in the first place I can think of about 5 people in my class including one instructor who would be out of a job besides myself. But thanks for taking the time to in no way shape or form answer or add any value to either part of my question.

[nightmare69]

I would do whatever and carry whatever they say. I know it sucks but thats LE. I cannot work any off duty jobs outside my county, I was told I could work all the security jobs in the county I wanted. Only problem is its a small county and there are very few side jobs. My hometown has plenty of jobs paying 25-35 per hour but I cannot touch it, sucks.

[gljjt]

Not so sure I'd be posting my frustrations with my employer/future employer on a public forum lime this. As a cadet in the academy hoping to get on permanently once I graduated I'd be real careful what I posted.

Ok? Not sure how you got that out of me talking about the sig 226 and not looking forward to adjusting to a new gun and new holster. In what way did I insult the department? If having a difference in opinion on firearms was grounds for termination and/or not being hired in the first place 0I can think of about 5 people in my class including one instructor who would be out of a job besides myself. But thanks for taking the time to in no way shape or form answer or add any value to either part of my question.

I had, maybe mistakenly, based on your first post thought the same as mojo84. I still think the concept of what he said is wise. Read your last sentence above. Would you want that to represent to a future employer in the public service sector your responsiveness? The point is, you can write whatever you want, but some principles apply to life and careers in general. You don't have to be a LEO to perhaps have some insight and good advice on handling a public social media presence. More than one person has hurt their career, rightly or wrongly, by what they post on public forums and social media sites. I think he was saying 'be careful'.

[mojo84]

Not so sure I'd be posting my frustrations with my employer/future employer on a public forum lime this. As a cadet in the academy hoping to get on permanently once I graduated I'd be real careful what I posted.

Ok? Not sure how you got that out of me talking about the sig 226 and not looking forward to adjusting to a new gun and new holster. In what way did I insult the department? If having a difference in opinion on firearms was grounds for termination and/or not being hired in the first place I can think of about 5 people in my class including one instructor who would be out of a job besides myself. But thanks for taking the time to in no way shape or form answer or add any value to either part of my question.

You act as if this is the only thread you've posted in and shared your disenchantment with your future employer. I was just pointing out that it would be wise to temper your public comments and criticisms of their policies and procedures. If I was the one doing your preemployment review and background check, I would take your public comments into consideration when when evaluating your attitude and maturity level. Complaining publicly about type of gun and other policies before you've been commissioned just doesn't seem wise or prudent.


Here are just a couple of your other comments that prompted my comment.

Aside from the health care expenses we have to buy our own uniforms, boots, some schooling supplies, I think possibly our pistol as well. I am not upset about the majority of expenses because I know they could be worse. I am upset that we were told about none of this. In fact many of us were flat out lied to about a lot of things.

I will say one thing about the health care, it is expensive and making me question whether I should try and go back to my old job. That is the only thing really tripping me up. The physical and mental hurdles ahead are all expected so I fill fail out before quitting.

I would carry whatever gun they authorized me to carry.

[cw3van]

Not so sure I'd be posting my frustrations with my employer/future employer on a public forum lime this. As a cadet in the academy hoping to get on permanently once I graduated I'd be real careful what I posted.

Ok? Not sure how you got that out of me talking about the sig 226 and not looking forward to adjusting to a new gun and new holster. In what way did I insult the department? If having a difference in opinion on firearms was grounds for termination and/or not being hired in the first place I can think of about 5 people in my class including one instructor who would be out of a job besides myself. But thanks for taking the time to in no way shape or form answer or add any value to either part of my question.

You act as if this is the only thread you've posted in and shared your disenchantment with your future employer. I was just pointing out that it would be wise to temper your public comments and criticisms if their policies and procedures. If I was the one doing your preemployment review and background check, I would take your public comments into consideration when when evaluating your attitude and maturity level. Complaining publicly about type of gun and other policies before you've been commissioned just doesn't seem wise or prudent.


Here are just a couole of your other comments that prompted my comment.

Aside from the health care expenses we have to buy our own uniforms, boots, some schooling supplies, I think possibly our pistol as well. I am not upset about the majority of expenses because I know they could be worse. I am upset that we were told about none of this. In fact many of us were flat out lied to about a lot of things.

I will say one thing about the health care, it is expensive and making me question whether I should try and go back to my old job. That is the only thing really tripping me up. The physical and mental hurdles ahead are all expected so I fill fail out before quitting.

I would carry whatever gun they authorized me to carry.

As someone who had to do tons of background on future LEOs (cadets) trust me mojo84 is giving you wonderful advise. Good luck in your career.