Peace Officer Status

[DEDOCMatt]

Ah yes, another question for us to mull. We have been over our status as law enforcement which allows us to carry sidearms off duty. But, what about an on-duty concern?

Just what are you?

As a State Correctional Officer in and for Delaware my ID along with the State Codes say I have the full power of a State Police Officer while in the performance of my duties. However, when someone comes into the prison trying to smuggle in drugs or whatever, do we arrest them? I am told we can, but we do not.

When an officer gets assaulted, do we press charges? Occassionally when the Investigations department feels like it. And even then, the State Police have to approve everything - they have to populata the warrant!

Now, I know New Jersey and New York State officers, as well as NYC Corrections, are peace officers. They arrest unruly visitors and if one of their gets assaulted they draw up new warrants and smack on new charges.


So - who out there is what? I am considering moving and before I do, it is going to be with a department that is not only classified as Law Enforcement, but has those powers as well.

So, state and county officers -sound off. Yay, or nay?

[Iowa #1603]

Originally Posted by DEDOCMatt

Ah yes, another question for us to mull. We have been over our status as law enforcement which allows us to carry sidearms off duty. But, what about an on-duty concern?

Just what are you?

As a State Correctional Officer in and for Delaware my ID along with the State Codes say I have the full power of a State Police Officer while in the performance of my duties. However, when someone comes into the prison trying to smuggle in drugs or whatever, do we arrest them? I am told we can, but we do not.

When an officer gets assaulted, do we press charges? Occassionally when the Investigations department feels like it. And even then, the State Police have to approve everything - they have to populata the warrant!

Now, I know New Jersey and New York State officers, as well as NYC Corrections, are peace officers. They arrest unruly visitors and if one of their gets assaulted they draw up new warrants and smack on new charges.


So - who out there is what? I am considering moving and before I do, it is going to be with a department that is not only classified as Law Enforcement, but has those powers as well.

So, state and county officers -sound off. Yay, or nay?

Stay the hell away from Iowa then..................
0 powers whatso ever.
Many of the "assaulting an police officer" type charges are available because we have lobbied to have "corrections officer" added to the statute but...........we call in the state investigators, city pd's or county SO's to investigate any major crimes inside the prisons in Iowa (depending on the institution as to who we call).............we call the po-po for anything
AND the state doesn't allow us to carry off duty

[AZCorrections84]

Our state allows us to carry off duty, but you better have a damn good reason for needing that weapon in an incident or they will not back you up at all.

We have no peace officer status at all however. Once we leave the walls we are Johnny Civilian.

[JesusOfficer]

NYC DOC $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
80,000$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Police Officer status$$$$$$$$$$$$$$


WE r recruiting right now!!!!!! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Custodian]

NCDOC... We're somethin'. I don't know what, but we're somethin'.

Our manuals says at some point Peace Officer, at other points Criminal Justice Officer, the General Statutes says, agents of the Secretary of Correction... yada,yada,yada, hubba bubba, money,money,money...

Somethin'.

[Rottie]

Peace officer only while on duty.
No CCW rights up here.
If assaulted, you can have Assault PO charges laid but that is done by the local PD.

[grunt11b]

When I did have my handgun, I carried off duty all the time. To me, my bureau career did not supersede my 2nd amendment constitutional right. The Bureau, in essence, can kiss my white Irish arse.

[cellsearch]

As stated in NJ we are sworn LEO and have full arrest powers(though we are generally encouraged not to make arrests off duty).

[Equinox]

In NC we have no power at all. We are Joe Schmoe off duty, assulted on duty and you have to go down and see the local sheriff and file charges just like the average citizen, any incident (major) and the SBI comes in and investigates. Some say we can carry off duty, some say we can't and my superintendant would not approve me to have my fire arm stored in my vehicle unless I had a CCW. I am still trying to figure all of that out. When I was with the GA DOC you have peace officer status, a write up wasn't a witness statement like here in NC, we actually brought up charges, and had to serve them within 24 hours. Break the law and bring something into the institution and you were arrested, taken to Receiving, stripped of your uniform, given a jumpsuit, and caged till county came to get you.

[be safe co]

Illinois Department of Corrections
- Not a peace officer but a Conservator of the peace (?)
- NO power at all, Cant carry off duty, Powers similar to mall security, but they carry flashlights, pepper spray and batons, which is cool. Actually SGT and LT can carry pepper spray at IDOC.
- But the job is sweet, the officers are cool and the pay, OT and benenfits rockkkkkkkkkk