|
CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND
THE "RIGHT TO CARRY"
|
NOTE: A somewhat different version of this
piece originally in April of 2003.
With the influx of gang
activity and documented threats specifically against Corrections
Officers, we felt it was necessary to update and publish again.
NJLawman.com
September, 2004
When you accept a law enforcement position you also accept certain
risks. These come both on and off duty. This is one of the reasons that
law officers are given the very rare privilege, especially in New
Jersey, of carrying firearms when not working. While we all don’t
exercise this privilege all of the time, it’s nice to be able to put
on a weapon when going out with your family to an area where you just
might run into persons with whom you have dealings during the performance
of your duties.
Corrections officers, by far, have the most dealings with not just the
criminally dangerous but the criminally insane of our society. They deal
with them every day they go to work. The ridiculous part
of this is that they are the only group that is not, as a whole,
permitted to carry weapons when off duty.
We have all run into bad guys
when not working, and most of the time nothing happens. However, there
are times where things can go bad. By New Jersey statute, corrections
officers are allowed to carry weapons off duty, but in certain counties
CO’s are prohibited from exercising this privilege.
The reason for this prohibition is unclear. Certainly, there has been no
rash of incidents with armed, off-duty corrections officers or at least
no more than those of police, sheriffs and other officers. If there is a
particular officer that poses a threat if allowed to carry a weapon, he
or she shouldn’t be an officer, the same way with any other law
enforcement agency. Get rid of them.
However, this prohibition probably
has more to do with “Let’s not change the way something has always
been.” Unfortunately, that rule is not made by someone working a pod,
and that rule is just not fair and just not right.
We also live in an era of homeland security. The passing of
HR 218 (the Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act) clearly shows how the
Federal Government feels about having more armed officers on the
streets.
Additionally, there are more guns on the street than ever
before. New Jersey is also beginning to see a growing presence of gangs.
In the summer of 2004 corrections officials obtained a letter from a
member of the Bloods gang. It contained specific information as to
their plans and activities. It specifically said that members
should take out one or two corrections officers. This was a real
letter. Thanks to BM, we were able to obtain a copy and confirm
its existence. Bloods gang members are encouraging attacks on
corrections officer, and this fact cannot be disputed.
To require officers to come to work and be exposed to these conditions
without the benefit of being able to carry when off duty is
incomprehensible!
We could go on and on with a laundry list of reasons why CO’s should
be permitted to carry off duty, but we won’t. You already know
them.
NJLawman is simply a media outlet and not in a position to wage this
fight. This article will mean nothing if it is not acted upon. The
only people who can act upon this are the corrections officers
themselves. Several weeks from now this article will fade from interest,
but this issue will remain.
The PBA and FOP
locals must put their differences aside and work together. The best
chance for change is if all voices are united. It can’t be a
dual fight being waged by separate unions, organizations, persons, and
entities. The PBA and FOP Presidents in all of the affected
counties are urged to contact each other as soon as possible and
schedule a meeting. Together they should team up and begin a crusade to
correct this situation.
Undoubtedly, they will be able to find support
from some local state senators and assemblymen looking for a cause. They
are offered this website for any and all postings that may be needed.
They could even simultaneously begin a petition drive. There is a lot of
room here for creativity in waging this fight, as it has never yet been
waged.
NJLawman.com wholeheartedly supports the right to carry for all
corrections officers. The county sheriffs and prosecutors who
oppose this need to be barraged with letters, emails, and phone calls of
those supporting this effort.
NJLawman.com
Reader Comments
September 16, 2004
I'm a corrections
officer, and I was a victim of an attempted carjacking at gun point.
Had it not been for our right to carry off duty, I might not be alive to
tell about it now.
-Anonymous
September 15, 2004
I would like to address
the Municipal Officer who talks about "Correction Officer driving 3:40".
I know MANY Municipal, State and even a few Pros. that drive 4:50. I am
currently a municipal police officer, a former county and state
correction officer, and a former campus police office, all in the state
of NJ. EVERY dept. I have worked for has a SMALL number of officer that
are bad and should not be in Law Enforcement. Driving 3:40 or 4:50 has
nothing to do with carrying a gun. When I was a CO I was allowed to
carry on and off duty. I truly believe if any "PEACE OFFICER" should be
allowed to carry a gun off duty its a CO. These men and women are inside
the jails and prisons with these inmates 24/7, as a cop we spend 2-3
hours with them and never see them again. The inmates hear officers
talking about other officers, where they live....where they hang
out....what type of car they drive. I have been away from corrections
for almost 4 years now and I still see inmates when I am with my family.
-Anonymous
September 15, 2004
This state is a joke
sometimes. Soon I'm sure they will not want any LEO carrying in the
state. Its these darn liberals I tell ya..
-Anonymous
September 15, 2004
I feel that we should
have a permit to carry out of the Academy. We are dealing with the worst
of the worst is what we are told at all times. Yet they let us deal with
the inmates who are gang members and if we are stand up cops we can't
protect ourselves if they call one of there gang buddies or have a visit
and see one of us in the visit hall and point us out and tell there
buddy that's him kill him. So as we are walking to the parking lot late
ate night we are shot. There is no way to protect ourselves, or any time
at all.
-Anonymous
September 15, 2004
Ahh Jersey.. I worked
there as a CO in the 70's.. Left the state. I am now a Fed, carry a
weapon and think all LEO should. As to the Municipal Officer, When I
worked there there were a lot of Municipal Officers I thought should not
carry mace let alone a gun.. We all went to Academies. Support your
Brothers and Sisters.
-A Fed
September 12, 2004
As stated in a previous
posting, an off-duty county corrections officer was brutally stabbed a
few weeks ago. The officer, who is recovering, works for a county that
does not allow off-duty carry privileges. The two suspects were
eventually caught a few days later. Had the officer had the right to
carry, the situation may have ended without any injuries or incidents,
except for the detention and arrest of the suspects.
-Anonymous
September 12, 2004
Just another pathetic
outdated NJDOC policy just like the highway guys, certain central trans
trips and that project pride program going out without a weapon. It just
makes no sense and maybe when we get a cop instead of a school teacher
running the show things will change.
-SCO
-NJDOC
September 12, 2004
I am all for CO's having
the right to carry; but along with that I am for corrections agencies
revamping their hiring process. All too often the background
investigations conducted by theses agencies are too brief, perfunctory
and inadequate. Proper training is essential, of course, but so is
proper selection of officers. This is not intended as an insult to all
CO's, there are many high quality officers working the pods, but there
are also some driving 3-40 with warrants (I stop them all the time) and
bad attitudes that I wouldn't want carrying weapons.
-Municipal Officer
September 10, 2004
New Jersey State
Correction officer supports all correction officers right carry off
duty. Public gets one more cop on the street. NJDOC should change its
policy and void the one year wait time to carry off duty. Sixteen weeks
of law enforcement residential training should allow NJ state correction
Officers to carry after the academy. Stay alert stay alive!
-NJDOC
-NJSP Officer
September 10, 2004
Just about a week ago a
corrections officer was out with some friends when a fight broke out and
who ended up in the hospital with major stab wounds? the corrections
officer who cannot carry off duty. its insane!
-Anonymous
September 9, 2004
Would we send our troops
in Iraq into battle without weapons ??! I think not !! The CO's are
engaged in their battles 24/7...Lets at least let them protect
themselves !!!!
-Bud Pry,
-Retired San Diego Detective
September 9, 2004
Who are the county
Sheriffs and prosecutors who oppose Corrections Officers carrying
off-duty? Is their belief based on some wild stories of long ago, or the
idea that only "real cops" should carry? SURPRISE - CO's ARE REAL COPS,
who serve, are attacked, and whom we bury as REAL COPS!
-Tony
September 6, 2004
This letter was sent to
several newspapers by me...
Hello, I would like to
get some information out to the public about a policy my department has
that really affects officer safety. The NJDOC has a policy that states
officer's can't carry off duty until they become Senior Correction
Officer. The problem with that is you reach SCO one year after you
graduate the academy. So for one year your working in the jails and
wearing your uniform to work without the ability to protect yourself or
your family while off-duty. We are treated differently than all other
law enforcement. Police officers, County Correction officers etc. are
allowed to carry off duty as soon as they graduate the academy. If you
feel you can help, please let me know.
Thank you,
-Senior Corrections Officer
-NJDOC
|
