While I am retired from the Department I was not/am not a LEO , I was a sworn civilian employee.rotor wrote:How did you legally carry in California? Are you LEO? The last time I drove into California was when I was transferred to an Air Force Base there and we were stopped at the state line for a plant and who knows what inspection. I don't know what they do now. I had lived in Los Angeles in the 60's when going to college. My experience with law enforcement then was that they had their training given by The Gestapo.kw5kw wrote: I've been driving from Ft. Worth to California for years to visit my daughter who has lived all over the state. I've been to San Diego to Sacramento and have never been stopped by either CHP or city officers. Just because you have Texas plates is not a reason for a stop. Just obey traffic laws and you're fine.
I've carried, while in the vehicle, all over the state. However, while walking around San Francisco or Los Angeles: never! I did not wish to be a guest in their crossbar motel on a weapons charge.
I was a Communications Operator III. My job was to run the DL's and LP's that the troopers stopped on the highway. I saw everyone that all the troopers stopped and told the troopers if there was a warrant out on a subject or not. I advised troopers if there was a crash and who was to work it. In other words: "I told troopers where to go!" (And, I loved it!)
My uniform, to start off with was "Brownies" which looked just like a Trooper's Texas Tan uniform but brown in color. Brown, instead of blue tie, hat, coats and yes a badge. Then in early 2007 they did away with the badge and "uniform" and went to a "uniform polo shirt" with Texas Department of Public Safety / Highway Patrol patch on the left hand front of the shirt. It was issued in two colors to begin with but expanded to a few other colors during the years. When I retired I was a member of the CEOT team, deployed to hurricanes, border patrol and other duties such as the explosion in West and Deep Water Horizon.
I do have DPSOA (only troopers and communications can be members) jackets that I can still wear on occasion along with a couple of workout tee shirts that say "State Police Communications" on them.
And, I never said I carried legally in California. Their stupid laws forbad me just as it does anyone else (I have had a CHL/LTC since they first came out). Now, if I'd been a sworn trooper (LEO) then I could have carried legally.
I have had to stop at the border going into California, all they want to know if you have fruit (something about a fruit fly) and fire ants. Stupidest thing I've ever heard of, but it does give someone a job. <sigh>
One time, coming back from Los Vegas, everyone was being searched when going over Hoover Dam. This was just after Christmas at my daughter's house in Sacramto and we were in my Chevy Avalanche. US Border Patrol was stopping everyone and searching their vehicles and we were loaded down with Christmas presents, shotguns, pistols, and ammo. I thought: "Ok, here we go!" I could just see everything we had on the ground, dogs on leash, officers talking to my wife, my niece and me in different rooms. Well I was wearing one of my DPSOA jackets, the officer saw my jacket and just waved me on through. <sigh> I was really grateful that I had that jacket on at that time.
