LEO Safety Act and a question.

[Chuck59]

I've read, re-read, and re-re-read the thing and can't figure a way around it. I retired in 1988 and received only a nice badge telling the world that I was retired. My department didn't issue then, and does not issue now, ID cards to retired officers.

So, what to do? The wife and I travel each year, usually back to New England where her family is. We live in New Mexico. I don't worry about taking I-40 through the South. I do start to sweat it some when we cross the Mason Dixon Line and head north, until we get into NH and Maine. I always have a pistol or revolver in the glove box or under the seat.

When the Feds passed the Law Enforcement Offficers Safety Act, first thing I thought was that I, at last, wouldn't have to sweat bullets until we got through the Socialist People's Republic of Massachusetts. But, on seeing the act, I notice that without a picture ID, I'm no better off than before.

Anyway, before I make this a novella, does anyone here have any insight on a way around this problem. I've been round and round with my old dept, but there isn't anyone left that I worked with so what pull I had to arrange a workaround is gone.

[Lucky Seven]

Perhaps they will get around to issuing them in response to this LEO legislation. My department has not addressed this issue in policy or provided the range certification yet. I imagine they will get around to it but I doubt it will happen over night. Hopefully, before I retire.

Congratulations on making it to retirement and enjoy yourself.

[Delta784]

When the Feds passed the Law Enforcement Offficers Safety Act, first thing I thought was that I, at last, wouldn't have to sweat bullets until we got through the Socialist People's Republic of Massachusetts. But, on seeing the act, I notice that without a picture ID, I'm no better off than before.

The general citizenry of Massachusetts sucks, but you don't have to worry about the cops. I don't know of anyone on the job here that would hassle a retired cop about carrying a firearm.

[Chuck59]

Thanks for the responses, guys, and Delta, I wasn't trying to insult Massachusetts. My in laws in Maine and relatives in NH have some very creative names for your State. I'm sure you've heard some of them. Anyway, I was going to apologize and then saw that you have something similar in location, under your name.

My concern about Mass goes back a few years when reports came out that officers attending the Smith and Wesson Academy were being arrested or detained by Massachusetts State Troopers. That problem was settled somehow, and now officers going to the Academy can transport firearms into and out of the State without fear or harassment or arrest. I also spoke to an officer in Salem and another in Swampscott. The Salem cop said it didn't matter whether I was retired. If I was caught with a gun, I would be arrested in his town. The Swampscott officer showed me his NRA card and told me that they don't like guns in Salem. Guess it depends on where we are, which is basically the Mass Turnpike to I-95 and then north into NH and Maine. The wife does have friends on the North Shore, though.

[kokopelli]

I think that as part of the bill, the departments have to issue picture ID's, whether or not they did in the past. Check into that, and take it upon yourself, if you have to. Check out some ID making software, and make up your own versions, and submit them to the department- see what they say. It should be an easy problem to fix.

[Cruiser]

Seed what your dept can make up for you right now and then they need to come up with some type of card showing that you are indeed retired from that agency. The reason you need an ID to go with the badge is becuase it is so easy to get a badge now. My ID did not have a photo on it so when I traveled back home a few weeks ago they issued me an active duty ID and just pot retired on it. They are in the process of getting a new ID made up now for retired guys so as to comply with the new law.

[Chief Wiggum]

Don't be too confident driving through the south. I personally know a couple of troopers that would hook you up if you didn't have a proper permit.

[Delta784]

Thanks for the responses, guys, and Delta, I wasn't trying to insult Massachusetts. My in laws in Maine and relatives in NH have some very creative names for your State. I'm sure you've heard some of them. Anyway, I was going to apologize and then saw that you have something similar in location, under your name.

No apology necessary. I know this state sucks, but I couldn't pick where I was born.

My concern about Mass goes back a few years when reports came out that officers attending the Smith and Wesson Academy were being arrested or detained by Massachusetts State Troopers. That problem was settled somehow, and now officers going to the Academy can transport firearms into and out of the State without fear or harassment or arrest. I also spoke to an officer in Salem and another in Swampscott. The Salem cop said it didn't matter whether I was retired. If I was caught with a gun, I would be arrested in his town. The Swampscott officer showed me his NRA card and told me that they don't like guns in Salem. Guess it depends on where we are, which is basically the Mass Turnpike to I-95 and then north into NH and Maine. The wife does have friends on the North Shore, though.

The only interaction you're likely to have with the MA State Police is if you get stopped on the highway, so unless you leave your piece in the glove box on top of your registration, or offer it up, I wouldn't worry about them too much.

That's surprising to hear about the local cops. If I ever tried to hook a retired cop for CCW (I never would), my sergeant would serve me my balls on a platter, and rightfully so.

[deewee.hunter]

No apology necessary. I know this state sucks, but I couldn't pick where I was born.



The only interaction you're likely to have with the MA State Police is if you get stopped on the highway, so unless you leave your piece in the glove box on top of your registration, or offer it up, I wouldn't worry about them too much.

That's surprising to hear about the local cops. If I ever tried to hook a retired cop for CCW (I never would), my sergeant would serve me my balls on a platter, and rightfully so.

i have stopped a retired cop before, never questioned him on his weapon or anything. when i approached the vehicle, he had it out on the dash along with his id. he respected me as an officer and i respected him as a former officer. and i am from the south so I don't think there would be the problem you think with harrassing retirees.

[Creeker]

I just ran into my former Training Sgt...now Lt. in Lowe's... who spied my Fanny Pack and told me that our Agency had just published a new Policy on retired Deputies CCW. She advised that I would need to go by our Training Office, fill out the papers, get an updated backgraound check done and they would set up a date to meet an Instructor at the Gun Shop...(we have no Range facility) and after that was accomplished a new "Retired CCW" ID would be issued. Apparently it is a several day affair, since I told her I was going out of town at the end of the month and she told me to come by when I got back.

Fortunately they never wanted my "Active" ID back and I have forgotten to take it out of my Badge case, and my Badge was purchased by me years before my retirement. I think I have my retired badge... somewhere.

Its funny, because after several e-mails to my Agency over several months, I was assured they would be letting all of the Retirees know about the policy when they established one, but yet it took a friend of mine to send me the policy when they put it out 2 months ago for me to find out about it. I am interested to see how long it will be before they do as they promised, unprompted. Having history with them, I think I know how soon THAT will be.

[Cruiser]

Stuffy little witch isn't she? I hope she isn't always that anal about going strictly by the book. God help the trainees if she is. The cops on the streets will have a heck of a time getting the rookies street savvy.

[Creeker]

My former Agency is run by a Lawyer who put himself thru law school being police, who is a pretty upstanding guy, but hasn't a clue about what his Managers are doing. We got Accredited on our third attempt and now the belief is that they spent so much money and appointed so many ranking Officers to working on nothing but writing Accreditation Policies(Sgt., Lt. & a Capt.) and inspecting other Agencies for Accreditation, that if they haven't written a policy covering it, it can't be done. It really would not surprise me to hear they are working on one to cover the proper way Bowel Movements are to be performed on duty, particularly in light of the recent spate of publicity surrounding the cops who left their firearms in the John (all 2 of them).

I got a "Hello, how are you? Listen, we have a new policy that covers retired Officers carrying firearms..."

Needless to say, I was left with a warm, fuzzy feeling when we parted...

[Cruiser]

Too bad it wasn't my dept. I went to them and all they wanted to know was what I wanted and they would provide me with it immediately with the Chief directing his asst to personally take me to ID and inform them to do what I wanted, right now.

[Chuck59]

And, what did I get after a 200 mile round trip to my department the other day?

"You've been retired a long time. Why do you want something like this?"

ME: "Because we travel a lot and I can carry legally, and because the law says it's available to retired officers now."

"Well, we don't have anything in place. Leave your address and we'll get in touch with you if we do. You know, no other retired officer has ever asked."

That last sentence almost sounded like an accusation. So, that's where I am in this thing. It's beginning to feel like a Quest.

[Cruiser]

Now I am really feeling good about my department and how they have respected me for my service. I have been retired for 20 years now and anytime I show up I am royally treated. My only wish is that the City itsef treated their Officers better. As for my brothers, we are still and forever tight.