College Station UPD

[TexAg08]

First off, Id like to state that I have about three LEO contacts in the last few months, not including this one, due to my excessive need to hunt and hunting on public lands, the game wardens got to know us fairly well and every time asked the usual, hunting license, hunters safety, and ID. Always got a mention from them that they were happy that I had a CHL.

Now, on to the UPD contact. Couple weekends ago one of my buddies came into town for the weekend, and on a Saturday night we and some other friends all went out to eat, and then they headed up to Northgate (bar scene in CS), while I went back to my apartment and watched TV (ya I know I'm boring but I don't like going to Northgate anymore, to crowded). We'll I figured I'd stay up past 2 am just in case they needed a ride back, which seems to always happen. So, about 2:30 am I get a call from my buddy who came down and said that they got pulled over by the cops on the way back and told me they needed a ride home or the cops would put them in the drunk tank for the night. So I hopped in my truck and drove to were the cops were holding them, and walked over to the officer and thanked him for letting me take them home. He was very cool about the idea that I came to pick them up this late, and then he asked me for my ID so he could get my info. I handed him my ID and CHL, and of course first thing he asks me is if I'm armed, and I say yes sir I am, its on my hip about 3:30. At first he kinda seemed angry that I was carrying. He told me that next time I approach a scene like that to leave my firearm in the vehicle as there was no need to carry one around an officer. I just nodded my head and proceeded to answer his questions about if I had been drinking tonight and were I was going to take my friends once I left. He had to give me a pen test to verify that I was ok to drive, and of course I passed with flying colors. After all the questioning and taking my info, I talked to the officer for a lil while. He asked me what I carried and where I shoot at, how long I've had my CHL, and why I chose to get one. He then told me that he himself was a CHL holder, and that he understood why I didn't want to leave my weapon in the car. He also said that he was very appreciative to the fact that the first thing I did was hand him my CHL and tell him that I was armed and were at, and that he's glad to see responsible college kids getting their CHL. Overall it was a good LEO contact with UPD.

Oh ya, the officers partner who was in the process of giving my friend that got pulled over a field sobriety test and searching his vehicle, proceeded to ask my friend, after they had him in the patrol car, why I was carrying a firearm and stated that it was dangerous for someone my age to carry in that situation. After my friend told me this, I just had to laugh since that officer obviously doesnt care to much with "kids" having a CHL. Also, I had not been around alcohol all night, and felt that regardless of the situation I was going to, I still had every right to protect myself and my friends throughout the time that I picked them up and took them home.

[Rokyudai]

It sounds like you handled it very well on your side. The officer's opinions are pretty much just that. You violated no laws, in fact, you observed them by handing him both id's upon his request for id. By maintaining your demeanor and being respectful, he seemed to untie his boxers enough to realize his presumptions of a "kid" with a CHL were unfounded in this case. According to his comments later on, he confirms that by understanding why you wouldn't intentionally disarm before approaching. Thanks for sharing your experience....geez your buddies owe you BIG TIME.

[Penn]

Just wondering - why would a current LEO need or want a CHL? From reading various posts, it seems that there are several on this site and I always wondered, but never got around to asking.

EDIT to add: Out of state travel maybe?

[gregthehand]

Many cops get one just so they don't have to wait for a NICS test at the store. The sherrif of the county I worked in had to have one because there was someone out there with a record that had his name and he always got denied. Also it's very cheap for a cop to get one. There is no background check and you don't have to take the class. I think it's something like $45 total. Maybe less.

I think you handled the whole thing well. People will be people including cops. Most have it drilled into them that any gun but their's or another cops is a bad thing to have on scene. As for the one with the comment about it's not avisable for a guy your age blah blah. If he had said it to me I would have reminded him that the minimum age for a CHL holder is also the minimum age to be a Peace Officer in TX. Overall good encounter I've heard of a lot worse from UPD. I come into BCS about 2-3 times a month on the weekends and have seen them do some very wierd stuff. I have seen them multiple times harrass and arrest kids for PI who were not that drunk and were not a danger to themselves or others.

[The Annoyed Man]

Things must be a lot different from when I went to school there in the '70s. I don't ever remember even seeing a UPD officer back then. Of course, the school was smaller then (27,000 students), and BCS was probably smaller too. It was a quieter time. I used to tend bar back then at the Twelfth Man Inn, which somebody informed me a while back is now called The Library. Anyway, it was usually pretty quiet and harmless, even on weekends.

[chewy555]

Just wondering - why would a current LEO need or want a CHL? From reading various posts, it seems that there are several on this site and I always wondered, but never got around to asking.

EDIT to add: Out of state travel maybe?

Out of state travel (although that is not needed anymore with The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004), as well as an LEO cannot carry concealed with their peace officer's license in Texas (If I am wrong about this, please somebody correct me, but I believe I am right). So if the wish to carry concealed off-duty, they must obtain a CHL.

Russell,
A police officer can carry concealed without a CHL. All they need is their peace officer's license and the approval of the department.

TexAg08,
Its sounds like you handeled everything very well. Just keep doing what you where doing.

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

LEO's in Texas CAN and as far as i know, most are ENCOURAGED to carry off duty, concealed or not. My brother is an LEO, and has worked for 2 departments. Each one strongly suggests (read: "darn near requires") it's officers to carry off duty. In his current department, they're issued take home cars. They are encouraged to drive the cars everywhere they go, and to be armed at all times. When off duty but in their cars, they're supposed to wear khaki pants, most wear 511 type pants, and a collared shirt and they prefer with the weapon concealed. Their reasoning is that the more visible police presence, the better. And if they're armed, they're more prepared for emergencies.

As far as LEO's having CHL's, I know a few with them. They like them because they don't have to wait at the counter. My brother is planning on getting one because he's a certified gun junkie and buys new stuff all the time and it saves time. He also want's to be able to carry while travelling and not be constricted to department approved weapons. He says every once in a great while, he want's to be a civilian and not a cop while he's on vacation. He also mentioned that the law allowing LEO's to carry anywhere in the country off duty is a little more restrictive that it would seem, so having a CHL in reciprocal states helps sometimes. I'm not sure about that law, I've never really looked at it, but he said some states still have restrictions, even to LEO's from other states.

[TexAg08]

Thanks all for all the positive remarks fellas.

When I worked at Gander Mountain, I sold quite a few guns to various sheriffs, PD's, constables, and even a few game wardens. Every time they filled out the background check form they made sure to flash their law enforcement card at me, but told them unless they have a CHL then they have to be called in like everyone else. A lot of them joked about the fact that a citizen with a CHL can buy a gun easier than a law enforcement officer who has gone through background checks, psych checks, and carries a gun everyday.

[Will938]

I had the same thing happen to me with Harris County SO, except for some reason I thought they might freak out and left it in the car. So I only presented ID. Smooth sailing, except the lady gave me a lecture over what would happen to me if she caught them out again.

I got pulled over by UPD on my BICYCLE the other day. I went the wrong way down a one way street infront of the northside garage. I didn't see any "do not enter" signs, went on it, saw an arrow on the ground pointing my way, figured out my mistake, thought about how cyclists can get away with murder, then saw the cop waving me over. He just told me that this was in fact illegal and sent me on my way.

I myself would have been pretty aggravated being talked to like that, but I'd shut it to keep my friends out of trouble. I honestly have no idea why that would seem like the wrong thing to do, or why you should have "known better".

[ElGato]

An LEO who is on ''loan'' to another agency might need a CHL, there is also an officer alias CHL available.

[chewy555]

An LEO who is on ''loan'' to another agency might need a CHL, there is also an officer alias CHL available.

Why would they need a CHL if he was on "loan" to another agency? To me that would be offical duty, so he can carry. But I guess if the new agency does not let their officers carry, then the CHL would be needed.

[gregthehand]

If you read my quote above you will see why most cops who have a CHL have one. The other reason I didn't mention is that sometimes they had one before they became a cop.

[ElGato]

An LEO who is on ''loan'' to another agency might need a CHL, there is also an officer alias CHL available.

Why would they need a CHL if he was on "loan" to another agency? To me that would be offical duty, so he can carry. But I guess if the new agency does not let their officers carry, then the CHL would be needed.

I think they are usually undercover when they are on loan.