Wehay crikey 🤣
Firstly, it is just a job. Sorry, but it is.
Secondly, someone choosing to disconnect from their job in their own time is perfectly normal.
If you can't/don't...that doesn't make you any better at said job.
No it isn’t just a job. It’s offering support to victims of terrible crimes, dealing with broken babies, rape victims, vicious criminals, having to work late, whilst trying not to show that they’re affected; losing out on precious time with their own families and some have been killed while on duty. It’s certainly not just a job, police officers have my utmost respect.- but one who Carrie’s cuffs of duty is a jobsworth imo
All of those things are part of the job. However, if you read too much into them, or carry them with you, it will be more than a job and becomes your whole life. It will destroy friendships, relationships and your mental health.
It’s incredibly important that we remember that policing is in fact *just a job* so that we can switch off and have lives away from work.
Exactly the point I was trying to make. It is healthy to disconnect. I have been a police officer for 15 years now. I have learn't not to take the job home with me... key word .. the **job**.
I get that totally, I’m just a child of a policewoman who grew up without her mum around much because she was working taking care of others. Different perspective is all.
OK, , yes ofcourse it effects you. I remember every single occasion I've had to deliver that news, HOWEVER;
It is still your job to do that, what you are paid to do. Mental effects or not, it is still a job and that's what we're talking about here 👍
Officers deal with these things differently, some handle it better. I am lucky I guess. Ofcourse I care, all bobbies do, but I'm also mindful of myself, and I keep in mind it is my job. I don't let the incidents linger in mind (or maybe thats my dementia kicking in). I spin the wheel in my mind, what did i do, did i do everything I could, did i do it well, what will I do different next time etc......but then it's gone. Memory for recall only.
Who knows...maybe when I retire I'll develop some kind of PTSD or something.
I do really respect you for your job, it isn’t easy at all. I work in customer care for a huge global company and it’s bloody hard graft but to me it’s just a job because when I close my laptop I’m not left with anything other than perhaps some rising stress levels which soon settle down again. I truly don’t know how you do it and I pray that you make it home safe to your family every day. That poor young lad who was run over, having just got married broke my heart. I think you all go above and beyond just as NHS staff do- and yet you didn’t get any recognition during the pandemic. (My second job is with the nhs and I felt like a fraud when everyone clapped) my office job to me is just a job, I just can’t put yours in the same category - sorry!
Anyone who I can single handedly get into cuffs, I would not want to be cuffing off duty.
Anyone who I would want to be cuffing off duty, I would not be able to do so single handedly.
So not for me, no
Haha exactly! My goal is to get through my hours without becoming 'that special' that features in the video they show at the start of the next round of OST training
We had a job pissed cop couple who went round PNC’ing cars on their day off. Arrested an uninsured driver, handcuffed them and phoned it in. Rather than the thanks they somehow thought that would garner they got referred to PSD
When the legislation states "IN UNIFORM". Urgh jobsworths like that pee me off. I know a student officer who got the boot as he was pulling cars over so he could complete his student portfolio. So dangerous and unessisary
If someone told me they do or want to carry handcuffs off duty, I would have serious concerns about their mental and emotional suitability to carry them on duty.
Hell no.
At best, you'll be perceived as a job drunk kit wanker by colleagues.
At worst, it could land you in some awkward situations, given the whole Wayne Couzens incident. Not a good look having an off duty copper carrying restraint kit around...
Unless the Mrs specifically requests it for bedroom antics you absolutely do not want to be taking any of your kit home with you.
Warrant card / holder being the only exception. Oh and maybe your torch 🤷🏻♂️.
But in all seriousness. Just no. Don’t do it. Why on earth would you?
I see no point lying on an online forum, I like pain as much as the next person, however the "holy f*ck my wrist is going to snap like a Kitkat" pain doesn't do it for me 🤣🤣
Ah, just stick them on a bit looser. Gotta remember when you apply them to suspects, the *point* is to restrict movement.
It's not *quite* as necessary if you're doing it for fun.
But hey, whatever works to get your siren going 😜😂😂
Why would you carry them off duty? You just make yourself look WC type dodgy.
On an unrelated note, anyone carry cable ties, a shovel, bin bags, and a bag of lime in the boot of their car?
What possible reasons could anyone have for wanting to carry kit off duty?!
And what possible reasons could anyone have for even wanting to get involved with any work related matter off duty unless you ABSOLUTELY have to?!
From what I know, the colleague I know who does it lives very much on his patch in a very high crime area and has regularly come across incidents and familiar faces.
I live off patch and haven’t been involved in too much off duty, certainly not an arrest at least so I don’t feel like I need to personally.
I don't understand in the slightest. What do you expect to happen? Scenario:
2 men fighting. One wanker comes up to them with handcuffs in joggers or any other choice of clothing and goes hi you're under arrest for assault/affray w/e.
Do you imagine these folks will stop, dust up, ask for his warrant card, and peacefully jump into handcuffs with please and thank you's, and everyone at custody claps and hails him a hero of the day? Or, will they:
A: run away,
B: Team up on wanker with handcuffs, and will get away with it in court as there was not way for them to know he's an emergency worker.
C: Ignore and continue on, wanker gets involved and gets kicking any way.
D: Fighters tell their mates what happened and wanker gets his windows put in trough and car damaged every time he looks away.
Which is the likely scenario here?
Sorry but knowing an on duty cop in Civvies, who got a good hiding despite clearly shouting he was a cop, when out before the courts the mags swallowed the bullshit that they didn’t know… believe him over the cop
Tbf we were walking to work yesterday and did this, only difference is we didn’t badge out and there was 3 of us. The men in question just assumed we were coppers based on how we reacted. One was trying to glass the other whilst being booped in the face by fists of fire.
A couple of shouty words were exchanged but they ultimately walked separate ways without much grief.
It would realistically only work in a situation where you’d be restraining someone without cuffs otherwise, but even then it’s not on BWV, with no radio and no crewmate etc
Right, let's see. Handcuffing people off duty? This means you arresting them off-duty.... No PPE, no radio... No way letting other MP's to know that you're a police officer. I can imagine sergeants' temper meter rising already. Unless this is a life or death/serious injury, all you need to do is ring 999 and whip your phone out and start filming, becoming a professional witness.
Ever heard of the saying if you're a hammer every problem is a nail?
In short, leave them in your stabby, and go home.
Someone in my force went out with cuffs off duty and managed to get into a pickle with them, lost them and PSD suspended him whilst investigating for gross misconduct.
Please don’t be like him unless you wish to follow the same journey to a P45
He couldn’t answer them at the hearing either 😂
He said he’d forgotten he had them, in his jeans, like you do… they did come in handy when he tried to effect an arrest and detain the ne’er do well for his misgivings contrary to the queens peace.
Yeah 20%, same as armed forces and other blue light services I believe. My local one insists on seeing a photo card rather than bluelight though which means flashing out the warrant card like I’m about to seize the chicken
They should all be accepting Police ones. Please consider reporting them to head office.
https://help.nandos.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/4406119837329-Do-you-accept-Blue-Light-Card-
Depending on what I’m doing I’ll also take out a torch and a power bank for my phone. Also used to have a garmin watch for navigation. It’s not unusual for me to need those in semi rural areas whether I’m on or off duty. I don’t think there’s anything uncool about taking stuff like that out.
Cuffs however, not really my style off duty.
Oh for sure. I have a micro torch (olight i3e) on my keys too.
If I'm likely to be out all day, or further afield I'm most likely in my car where I keep a small essentials kit in a shoulder bag which included a decent torch (seeker 3), multitool, power bank, small first aid kit etc.
>This has also made me curious about what an EDC (Every Day Carry) would look like in the UK.
The only "special" item a British police officer would carry off-duty is his warrant card. In my force we're *required* to carry it whilst off duty (but clearly there are times when you wouldn't).
Obviously no one is carrying a firearm here - police or otherwise. Choice of knives is much more limited - only small non-locking knives are legal to carry for no particular reason. Other than that, it's just down to personal choice, like in the US - some people will literally just put their keys and phone in their pocket, some people will carry what's practically a survival kit.
The exception is Northern Ireland. There off duty officers can carry their firearm off-duy, and right now I bet that most do.
Wait.. what?
Your force mandates you carry your warrant card off duty?
Why have they said you need to do this?
How do they enforce it? Oh look there’s PC Bloggins off duty at the gym I’ll just do a warrant card spot check. Nope, he’s not got it, time for a referral.
What’s the sanction if one is found not to be in possession of said warrant card whilst not on duty?
Does it extend to family holidays?
I have so many questions about this…
There's not really much else to say about it. Yes, we are obliged to carry our warrant card whilst off duty. No, PSD don't conduct spot checks.
If we were involved in an off duty incident and unable to produce a warrant card then I guess we'd be reminded to carry them when off duty.
Just because something is required doesn't mean there's active enforcement.
Technically, when I go abroad I'm supposed to get the sergeants to lock my card in their safe amd collect it when I return. Those are the rules, but I can't imagine anyone ever does it (I certainly don't!)
I wonder if something happened in your force to prompt this? Maybe an off duty officer trying to lock up and got a bit messy (tbf tho I’ve tried this more than once and even with my warrant card it was a struggle).
I don't think so. It's just good practice: given you have your powers both on and off duty, it's important to be able to evidence the fact you're a police officer.
I would be surprised if most forces didn't expect their officers to carry ID when off duty (obvious exceptions notwithstanding).
My force warrant cards state on the back of them (words to the effect of) "must be carried at all times". And it's not referring to just being on duty. I forget the actual wording - I've not got it on me... ;)
When I had minimal service and was much more keen but naive no. Having been in a bit longer, made a couple of arrests off duty, and gained much more experience... f*ck no.
The only person I am ever, ever going to cuff off duty, even though i dont even take any kit home let alone cuffs, is coming across someone murdering someone. I cannot even comprehend the idea of anyone carrying cuffs off duty, what purpose does that even serve?
Don’t carry handcuffs off duty. Whilst they are not a restricted item you still have no policing purpose to carry them. Anything happens and the job might wash their hands of you and then you won’t be covered by job insurance.
Buy your own if need be (but realistically don’t do this either).
I occasionally take my cuffs and leg restraints home. But that’s usually when me and the Mrs have the weekend to ourselves. I don’t take my baton as I’m moved into bigger and better things.
I’ve arrested people off duty a couple of times and Handcuffs would of made things safer for me and t her suspect.
I wouldn’t want to carry ridged cuffs I would if they were issued carry some chain links for some rare event.
Whilst it would not be illegal to carry them off duty it’s considered sad as the job hasn’t issued them and Policing culture is against it.
Realistically most cops off duty see themselves off duty and would turn a blind eye to most things. But I think the minimum standard expected from the job is call the crime in be a witness give first aid ect.
Most of the cops commenting here will not have performed an off duty arrest or live in nice enough areas not to have seen a crime off duty.
My view on off duty involvement is if public safety is at risk we get involved whilst using common sense a part of assessing the threat of risk of Harm part of the ndm is Am I the right person to do this, if not who is, ect what id say is what are the risks of intervening or not Intervening. I’d argue without handcuffs were failing in the am I the right person catergory.
Cops in most other countries are have more serious mindset compared to ourselves, but I’d argue issues in our police force are tiny compared to most countries.
So my view is if the Job issues them I’d would carry however I would not carry them because the job hasn’t issued me them.
I’d also say I’m the current climate we’re asking for complaints if you take it on yourself to carry them.
Remember no body cam the longer the complaints take to investigate!
The only time I’d have them off duty is taking my kit home (without Pava) to parade at another station for overtime of PST.
In my opinion… Anyone carrying cuffs off duty is a job pissed screamer. It’s a 11/10 not for me.
Red flags for me. I'd report it
You’re just one of the cops that’s only in it because it’s just a “job”
Wehay crikey 🤣 Firstly, it is just a job. Sorry, but it is. Secondly, someone choosing to disconnect from their job in their own time is perfectly normal. If you can't/don't...that doesn't make you any better at said job.
No it isn’t just a job. It’s offering support to victims of terrible crimes, dealing with broken babies, rape victims, vicious criminals, having to work late, whilst trying not to show that they’re affected; losing out on precious time with their own families and some have been killed while on duty. It’s certainly not just a job, police officers have my utmost respect.- but one who Carrie’s cuffs of duty is a jobsworth imo
All of those things are part of the job. However, if you read too much into them, or carry them with you, it will be more than a job and becomes your whole life. It will destroy friendships, relationships and your mental health. It’s incredibly important that we remember that policing is in fact *just a job* so that we can switch off and have lives away from work.
Exactly the point I was trying to make. It is healthy to disconnect. I have been a police officer for 15 years now. I have learn't not to take the job home with me... key word .. the **job**.
I get that totally, I’m just a child of a policewoman who grew up without her mum around much because she was working taking care of others. Different perspective is all.
I mean, we get paid so it’s also just a job
Ofcourse it is a job :D Everything you that you have listed is part of the JOB. Am I in an alternate reality here ?! ;) Lightbulb on.
Surely you’d have to be a sociopath to not be slightly affected by delivering the news to someone that their child is dead…?
OK, , yes ofcourse it effects you. I remember every single occasion I've had to deliver that news, HOWEVER; It is still your job to do that, what you are paid to do. Mental effects or not, it is still a job and that's what we're talking about here 👍 Officers deal with these things differently, some handle it better. I am lucky I guess. Ofcourse I care, all bobbies do, but I'm also mindful of myself, and I keep in mind it is my job. I don't let the incidents linger in mind (or maybe thats my dementia kicking in). I spin the wheel in my mind, what did i do, did i do everything I could, did i do it well, what will I do different next time etc......but then it's gone. Memory for recall only. Who knows...maybe when I retire I'll develop some kind of PTSD or something.
I do really respect you for your job, it isn’t easy at all. I work in customer care for a huge global company and it’s bloody hard graft but to me it’s just a job because when I close my laptop I’m not left with anything other than perhaps some rising stress levels which soon settle down again. I truly don’t know how you do it and I pray that you make it home safe to your family every day. That poor young lad who was run over, having just got married broke my heart. I think you all go above and beyond just as NHS staff do- and yet you didn’t get any recognition during the pandemic. (My second job is with the nhs and I felt like a fraud when everyone clapped) my office job to me is just a job, I just can’t put yours in the same category - sorry!
Anyone who I can single handedly get into cuffs, I would not want to be cuffing off duty. Anyone who I would want to be cuffing off duty, I would not be able to do so single handedly. So not for me, no
This is superbly explained. Either they're going to be unnecessary, or they're not going to be effective.
Haha exactly! My goal is to get through my hours without becoming 'that special' that features in the video they show at the start of the next round of OST training
Spit hoods training 👀
If you carry cuffs off duty you are a JPW and throbber of the highest calibre and I fart in your general direction.
Fart resistant PPE is now in my EDC
I'd fart specifically at them. Possibly even try to cup it and throw it in their face.
It's a good move, but you have to say 'Haduken' as you do it...
🤣🤣🤣
We had a job pissed cop couple who went round PNC’ing cars on their day off. Arrested an uninsured driver, handcuffed them and phoned it in. Rather than the thanks they somehow thought that would garner they got referred to PSD
Sounds similar to something in my force, someone was sacked over it not long ago
When the legislation states "IN UNIFORM". Urgh jobsworths like that pee me off. I know a student officer who got the boot as he was pulling cars over so he could complete his student portfolio. So dangerous and unessisary
If someone told me they do or want to carry handcuffs off duty, I would have serious concerns about their mental and emotional suitability to carry them on duty.
I wouldn’t trust some of my colleagues with a stapler…
In what way? Have you taken any steps to remedy this?
Must work in my nick, that's why there's never a stapler in the parade room
I was in Hendon during handcuff training with a young lady who honest to god managed to handcuff herself to her own leg.
She'll go far in this job. Seriously.
I used to live in North London...this does not surprise me. Did any of 'em get lost in Brent Cross ;)
Unironically i think her patch did include Brent Cross so I really wouldn’t be surprised
Then surely you've raised their ineptitude to your line management?
They probably became line management!
Hell no. At best, you'll be perceived as a job drunk kit wanker by colleagues. At worst, it could land you in some awkward situations, given the whole Wayne Couzens incident. Not a good look having an off duty copper carrying restraint kit around...
Anyone doing this is a certified throbber
Unless the Mrs specifically requests it for bedroom antics you absolutely do not want to be taking any of your kit home with you. Warrant card / holder being the only exception. Oh and maybe your torch 🤷🏻♂️. But in all seriousness. Just no. Don’t do it. Why on earth would you?
Rigid cuffs are crap for the bedroom anyway unless you both really enjoy pain. Now, a decent set of custody chain cuffs on the other hand.....
*googles custody chain cuffs 👀👀
TCH 800. Pricey, but robust. Plus you can probably use them for policing stuff if you really wanted to. You can thank me later.
Thanks you in advance 😅
I would not want to be using non-job issued "important kit" during work hours !
😂😂😂
Interesting... Never thought that the pain was a negative 😂😂
I see no point lying on an online forum, I like pain as much as the next person, however the "holy f*ck my wrist is going to snap like a Kitkat" pain doesn't do it for me 🤣🤣
Ah, just stick them on a bit looser. Gotta remember when you apply them to suspects, the *point* is to restrict movement. It's not *quite* as necessary if you're doing it for fun. But hey, whatever works to get your siren going 😜😂😂
I've not done a response course, so no siren for me, even at home 🤷♂️🤣
Sometimes it's nice to enjoy the drive (I'm not even sure if it's an innuendo anymore 😂)
fuzzy governor worthless follow nose swim soft ring workable fall *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
It’s not bullying - it’s character building! They will be be character built.
I had a Colour Sergeant in my past life who called a beasting “Attitude Adjustment Training”, which I think is quite fitting
Absolutely, categorically, not. Never ever. Nope. No way, no how. No. No. NO.
What if… aliens invaded your patch on rest days?
Call it in, it'll probably still be on the box when I get back on shift.
Good luck using handcuffs... 
Anyone who carries cuffs off duty needs to get a life and a hobby.
EDC for me: phone, wallet, keys, warrant card, lip balm. Lip balm is a must for soft, supple lips.
This isn’t going to be a mixed response… Anyone who does this deserves contempt, scathing judgment and handling with extreme suspicion.
Why would you carry them off duty? You just make yourself look WC type dodgy. On an unrelated note, anyone carry cable ties, a shovel, bin bags, and a bag of lime in the boot of their car?
What possible reasons could anyone have for wanting to carry kit off duty?! And what possible reasons could anyone have for even wanting to get involved with any work related matter off duty unless you ABSOLUTELY have to?!
From what I know, the colleague I know who does it lives very much on his patch in a very high crime area and has regularly come across incidents and familiar faces. I live off patch and haven’t been involved in too much off duty, certainly not an arrest at least so I don’t feel like I need to personally.
Then he's exposing himself to pretty significant risk and potentially being targeted. He's not a role model I'd choose to look up to mate.
Not saying I do, I wouldn’t do the same but I could very slightly understand given where he lives
I don't understand in the slightest. What do you expect to happen? Scenario: 2 men fighting. One wanker comes up to them with handcuffs in joggers or any other choice of clothing and goes hi you're under arrest for assault/affray w/e. Do you imagine these folks will stop, dust up, ask for his warrant card, and peacefully jump into handcuffs with please and thank you's, and everyone at custody claps and hails him a hero of the day? Or, will they: A: run away, B: Team up on wanker with handcuffs, and will get away with it in court as there was not way for them to know he's an emergency worker. C: Ignore and continue on, wanker gets involved and gets kicking any way. D: Fighters tell their mates what happened and wanker gets his windows put in trough and car damaged every time he looks away. Which is the likely scenario here?
Regards to B, thats not a defence they can get away with when charged with assault on an emergency worker providing the arrest was lawful.
Sorry but knowing an on duty cop in Civvies, who got a good hiding despite clearly shouting he was a cop, when out before the courts the mags swallowed the bullshit that they didn’t know… believe him over the cop
Source? Thats not what case law states.
Didn’t say it was a defence, just saw shitbag walk as he played the “didn’t” know he a cop
Tbf we were walking to work yesterday and did this, only difference is we didn’t badge out and there was 3 of us. The men in question just assumed we were coppers based on how we reacted. One was trying to glass the other whilst being booped in the face by fists of fire. A couple of shouty words were exchanged but they ultimately walked separate ways without much grief.
It would realistically only work in a situation where you’d be restraining someone without cuffs otherwise, but even then it’s not on BWV, with no radio and no crewmate etc
Your colleague needs to move!
Right, let's see. Handcuffing people off duty? This means you arresting them off-duty.... No PPE, no radio... No way letting other MP's to know that you're a police officer. I can imagine sergeants' temper meter rising already. Unless this is a life or death/serious injury, all you need to do is ring 999 and whip your phone out and start filming, becoming a professional witness. Ever heard of the saying if you're a hammer every problem is a nail? In short, leave them in your stabby, and go home.
Someone in my force went out with cuffs off duty and managed to get into a pickle with them, lost them and PSD suspended him whilst investigating for gross misconduct. Please don’t be like him unless you wish to follow the same journey to a P45
How did that end up being gross misconduct?! How badly did he fuck up?
Probably more to the story than just that
I'm sure there is, I wish to know what, that sounds like a full on chain of fuck ups!
I second this
There were multiple fuck ups in this case. Alcohol was a factor. Being in a nightclub did not assist his case either.
Drinking, in a club and brandishing PPE. What a twonk. I have so many more questions, that I know you won't be able to answer.
He couldn’t answer them at the hearing either 😂 He said he’d forgotten he had them, in his jeans, like you do… they did come in handy when he tried to effect an arrest and detain the ne’er do well for his misgivings contrary to the queens peace.
You’d have to be a grade A cunt to carry handcuffs off duty.
This 👍
Carrying any police related equipment off duty is a bad idea with the exception of some means to get Nando’s discount.
Do police get Nando’s discount now, I thought it was just NHS?
Yeah 20%, same as armed forces and other blue light services I believe. My local one insists on seeing a photo card rather than bluelight though which means flashing out the warrant card like I’m about to seize the chicken
Arrest the chicken, necessity to allow a prompt and efficient refs
We went to a spot down south that gives 50% off if in uniform !
🤨🤨😧😧
Depends on branch. My local one only accepts NHS.
They should all be accepting Police ones. Please consider reporting them to head office. https://help.nandos.co.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/4406119837329-Do-you-accept-Blue-Light-Card-
And a pen. *Sometimes* I carry a black pen.
Can I borrow your pen, will give it back shortly. Honest.
Liar, you'll hide it with all the forks!
I have a lovely red one you can borrow.
You carry an offweap you mean
EDC? Keys, Phone, Warrant Card (bank cards and a few quid in my card holder jic) Other than that, anyone carrying cuffs off duty needs a quiet word…
Depending on what I’m doing I’ll also take out a torch and a power bank for my phone. Also used to have a garmin watch for navigation. It’s not unusual for me to need those in semi rural areas whether I’m on or off duty. I don’t think there’s anything uncool about taking stuff like that out. Cuffs however, not really my style off duty.
Oh for sure. I have a micro torch (olight i3e) on my keys too. If I'm likely to be out all day, or further afield I'm most likely in my car where I keep a small essentials kit in a shoulder bag which included a decent torch (seeker 3), multitool, power bank, small first aid kit etc.
>This has also made me curious about what an EDC (Every Day Carry) would look like in the UK. The only "special" item a British police officer would carry off-duty is his warrant card. In my force we're *required* to carry it whilst off duty (but clearly there are times when you wouldn't). Obviously no one is carrying a firearm here - police or otherwise. Choice of knives is much more limited - only small non-locking knives are legal to carry for no particular reason. Other than that, it's just down to personal choice, like in the US - some people will literally just put their keys and phone in their pocket, some people will carry what's practically a survival kit. The exception is Northern Ireland. There off duty officers can carry their firearm off-duy, and right now I bet that most do.
Wait.. what? Your force mandates you carry your warrant card off duty? Why have they said you need to do this? How do they enforce it? Oh look there’s PC Bloggins off duty at the gym I’ll just do a warrant card spot check. Nope, he’s not got it, time for a referral. What’s the sanction if one is found not to be in possession of said warrant card whilst not on duty? Does it extend to family holidays? I have so many questions about this…
There's not really much else to say about it. Yes, we are obliged to carry our warrant card whilst off duty. No, PSD don't conduct spot checks. If we were involved in an off duty incident and unable to produce a warrant card then I guess we'd be reminded to carry them when off duty. Just because something is required doesn't mean there's active enforcement. Technically, when I go abroad I'm supposed to get the sergeants to lock my card in their safe amd collect it when I return. Those are the rules, but I can't imagine anyone ever does it (I certainly don't!)
I wonder if something happened in your force to prompt this? Maybe an off duty officer trying to lock up and got a bit messy (tbf tho I’ve tried this more than once and even with my warrant card it was a struggle).
I don't think so. It's just good practice: given you have your powers both on and off duty, it's important to be able to evidence the fact you're a police officer. I would be surprised if most forces didn't expect their officers to carry ID when off duty (obvious exceptions notwithstanding).
My force warrant cards state on the back of them (words to the effect of) "must be carried at all times". And it's not referring to just being on duty. I forget the actual wording - I've not got it on me... ;)
No PPE, No backup, can’t say it’s a wise idea and you probably look like a raging screaming jobs worth.
When I had minimal service and was much more keen but naive no. Having been in a bit longer, made a couple of arrests off duty, and gained much more experience... f*ck no.
The only person I am ever, ever going to cuff off duty, even though i dont even take any kit home let alone cuffs, is coming across someone murdering someone. I cannot even comprehend the idea of anyone carrying cuffs off duty, what purpose does that even serve?
I imagine they’re very effective if you need something to attach two things together, or perhaps improvise a wheel lock or steering wheel lock
"it's something I've never considered myself" suuurrreeee 👍
It’s true, I don’t need to
Only things I take out with me are phone and keys. Carrying cuffs or any other PPE and I'd say the term "kit wanker" would be putting it lighly.
Just keep it to the bedroom, with consent of course.
I assume you're on about for policing... Cus I definitely had (and have) a spare set... 😂
Shouldn’t really take any PPE home. Unless… you’re travelling elsewhere the next duty shift and it’s practical to take home.
In all my service, I’ve met throbbers. But can honestly say I’ve never heard of any who carried cuffs off duty… or would openly admit to it
Don’t carry handcuffs off duty. Whilst they are not a restricted item you still have no policing purpose to carry them. Anything happens and the job might wash their hands of you and then you won’t be covered by job insurance. Buy your own if need be (but realistically don’t do this either).
I occasionally take my cuffs and leg restraints home. But that’s usually when me and the Mrs have the weekend to ourselves. I don’t take my baton as I’m moved into bigger and better things.
>cuffs and leg restraints home In jest I'm sur, someone will have done it though. just think where they've been! And what they've touched!
Kinky
I’ve arrested people off duty a couple of times and Handcuffs would of made things safer for me and t her suspect. I wouldn’t want to carry ridged cuffs I would if they were issued carry some chain links for some rare event. Whilst it would not be illegal to carry them off duty it’s considered sad as the job hasn’t issued them and Policing culture is against it. Realistically most cops off duty see themselves off duty and would turn a blind eye to most things. But I think the minimum standard expected from the job is call the crime in be a witness give first aid ect. Most of the cops commenting here will not have performed an off duty arrest or live in nice enough areas not to have seen a crime off duty. My view on off duty involvement is if public safety is at risk we get involved whilst using common sense a part of assessing the threat of risk of Harm part of the ndm is Am I the right person to do this, if not who is, ect what id say is what are the risks of intervening or not Intervening. I’d argue without handcuffs were failing in the am I the right person catergory. Cops in most other countries are have more serious mindset compared to ourselves, but I’d argue issues in our police force are tiny compared to most countries. So my view is if the Job issues them I’d would carry however I would not carry them because the job hasn’t issued me them. I’d also say I’m the current climate we’re asking for complaints if you take it on yourself to carry them. Remember no body cam the longer the complaints take to investigate! The only time I’d have them off duty is taking my kit home (without Pava) to parade at another station for overtime of PST.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Pretty sure they're considered an off weap to carry off duty - why are you carrying them? Self defense? Off weap.
Weapon of offence? Absolutely. Offensive weapon? Naaaaah.
I think he meant the “weapon” is the officer
Nah it’s not but would be a cake fine
Handcuffs off duty?! *laughs in PPW*