There is a thread down in Self Defense and Handgun Carry started by Rgoodjr where his CCW instructor urged them to get these badges. The reason being, the instructor said if they were involved in a shooting, they could display the badge while worn on a necklace, and LEOs could identify them as friendlies from a distance. Is there an LEO viewing this thread who could interject his opinion on what the instructor said?
It's a legit question. If the officers saw the badge at distance, could it alert them that you are a friendly. That's the point the instructor was trying to make.
Because, after all, a bad guy would never have a fake badge.
If you want to carry a badge, become a cop!! Carrying one of those has the possibility of getting you charged with impersonating a police officer. This coming from an ex-cop where in my home state of Georgia where I worked in LE, we had a statute regarding the carrying of such badge's if you try and use it.
OK. This is the answer I was looking for, from someone who has been a Police Officer. I understood the instructor's motivation from having read the thread; he believes the conceal carry badge is a legitimate means to alert LEOs that you are the good guy. But I wanted a law enforcement perspective on this, too.
I'm also a former LEO.
The instructor is wrong.
I will tell you, if I had encountered someone displaying one of these badges while working a shooting, I would have arrested him on the spot for impersonation, and let the DA and his attorney sort it out later.
LEO's are human, and you will find a variety of opinions and stances. I'm not sure there is a "right" answer, only opinion, but in my opinion, there is very little upside to carrying one of those and a whole lot of downside.
ftw....^^^^^
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