Citizens on Patrol

[seamusTX]

A license to do what, call the police?

It's probably just an ID card so that the cops will know that you're with the program.

Driving or walking repeatedly around an area is per se suspicious behavior. People who do that may be casing a burglary target or looking for a drug dealer or prostitute. I've seen it around here.

- Jim

[HankB]

In my opinion (IANAL, etc.), that policy was written by someone who did not understand the law or did not care to get it right.

PC 46.02 contains all the elements of the offense of unlawfully carrying a weapon, and acting as a police volunteer is not among them.

Furthermore, PC 46.02 does not apply to long guns, pepper spray, Tasers, and a range of other things that can be used as weapons.

IANAL, but this seems to be a cogent observaton by seamusTX.

Despite their officious confidence, police officials do not make law. I would ask for a specific cite of the actual law that legally disarms a "citizen on patrol."

(Oh, and that spiffy magnetic sign you get for your car? Isn't that sort of like painting a bullseye on your chest?)

[casingpoint]

I was shocked to see in the official manual that it's unlawful to carry a conceled weapon

LOL. Well, ask HPD if you can open carry one while "on duty."

Seriously, I wouldn't be the least bit interested in such a program unless upon "graduation" from "The Academy" I was issued a "BADGE.''


As you can see, there's not too much to it. More symbolic of a good donut than anything.

[USA1]

oh , i thought you said " citizens on parole "

[Paladin]

...
4. If you are disarmed while participating in the program, you are NOT a watchful set of eyes helping law enforcement, you are the equivalent of a canary in a coal mine. (Think about it . . . )

This

[LittleGun]

My area has Citizens On Patrol. I was interested until reading this thread. I understand that the police officials don't want its Patrol Citizens interefering with unlawful conduct. I would not use my gun for that. I would simply call in and try to be a good observer. But what if a bad guy targets me and threatens my life? I can't protect myself because I happen to be on patrol? That doesn't make sense to me.

[Bunkins]

I'm always a citizen on Patrol... If I want to help make a difference in preventing crime, I think it's my job as a citizen to keep my eye's open and report anything suspicious.. I dont need a badge or a hr's training to do it, plus that, I can carry my gun...

I see what they are trying to do though, get people out of their little worlds and bring them back to the real world.. Meaning, taking notice of whats around them.. They just dont want some gun happy CHL holders with a badge running around trying to take the law into their own hands..

[KD5NRH]

I'm always a citizen on Patrol... If I want to help make a difference in preventing crime, I think it's my job as a citizen to keep my eye's open and report anything suspicious.. I dont need a badge or a hr's training to do it, plus that, I can carry my gun...

+1. As a security guard on a non-commissioned contract, I spend enough time being an unarmed target. As a graveyard shift worker and astronomy hobbyist, I tend to be out and around at odd hours on the nights I'm off. I keep the bluetooth headset in the car so I can discreetly call in anything I see, and I can usually find a way to discreetly hang out and watch to see where suspicious people go.

[sanfordreed]

Most of the cities with a "COP" program try to regulate "weapon s" and make participants sign their rules asking them to not carry weapons.

In my opinion (IANAL, etc.), that policy was written by someone who did not understand the law or did not care to get it right.

PC 46.02 contains all the elements of the offense of unlawfully carrying a weapon, and acting as a police volunteer is not among them.

Furthermore, PC 46.02 does not apply to long guns, pepper spray, Tasers, and a range of other things that can be used as weapons.

IANAL, but this seems to be a cogent observaton by seamusTX.

Despite their officious confidence, police officials do not make law. I would ask for a specific cite of the actual law that legally disarms a "citizen on patrol."

(Oh, and that spiffy magnetic sign you get for your car? Isn't that sort of like painting a bullseye on your chest?)

[cb1000rider]

I agree.. It's a violation of group policy and they're attempting to imply that it's illegal by quoting laws out of context, but IMHO, the worst they can do is throw you out of the program.

The program throws out all of your 2nd amendment rights.. Including those to a long gun. As such, you can't be a member, carry a weapon, and be in compliance to the rules.. However (again IMHO) you can't be prosecuted for a criminal offense for not following the rules.

To me, other than the implied language, it's not any different from an employment contract.

I understand what they're trying to accomplish, I just disagree with the policy.

[gthaustex]

I too find it hard to beleive it is any technical violation of the law. PC 46.02 applies to everyone. PC 46.15 then states non-applicability for those with CHLs under section (b)(6). It looks to me like they are quoting 46.02 out of context to try and add some perceived force to their policy of no weapons. I understand their policy and the reasons behind it, but I don't see how one could be charged with a crime. Kicked out of the program? Absolutely.

I personally would not sign up for something like this and be unarmed, especially when I can be in the same place armed and not part of the official program.

[Cedar Park Dad]

A background check is performed and a license is issued.

A license to do what, call the police? I'd say ditch the program and get a camera system. Whenever it catches anything, provide police a DVD.

Agreed. This sounds like a bad idea overall.
I have this image of a prosecutor saying "wannabe cop"...

[Keith B]

Also, this thread was 4 years old befor the new member resurected it.

Not agains the law, but against the rules of the COP program.