TexasCHLforum.com

packina40 wrote:

KRM45 wrote:
If I remember correctly, the part I underlined above was an update to the law from the 2009 legislative session. It could be a case of the officer not being aware of the change.

Something sound fishy about the whole thing though. Almost like some part of the story is missing... He never asked for ID, or called in to verify the security officer was actually on patrol?

The LEO asked my officer for ID, including his "pocket card" from the PSB showing his commissioned officer status. He then proceeded to berate my officer for carrying a weapon when not on a contracted client's site.

packina40 wrote:OK, here's an interesting one. Would be interested in hearing comments, especially from LEOs.

I'm a field supervisor with a small security firm in the DFW metroplex.

Last night, one of my commissioned officers, in uniform and on patrol, driving a marked patrol vehicle, stopped for gas. As he was filling his tank, he was approached by a Fort Worth police officer who threatened to arrest him for UCW (unlawful carrying of weapon) unless he removed his duty belt while he fueled the car. Not just the sidearm, but the entire duty belt, because my officer was also carrying an ASP baton and OC spray, both of which he is certified for and qualified to carry.

The LEO's rationale was "you are only allowed to carry a weapon if you are on a contracted client's site".

State Private Security Board rules state that a commissioned security officer may carry a weapon "in the performance of his duties", and while traveling to or from work, but this doesn't seem to be covered. My officer was enroute from one client site to another, and stopped to fuel his company, marked patrol vehicle with a company credit card.

Seems to me that fueling his company patrol vehicle would be "in the performance of his duties" but apparently the Fort Worth Police Department feels differently.