Sheriff to ban deputies from mixing drinking,guns

**sweetpea** · 11-11-08, 11:35 AM

Sheriff to ban deputies from mixing drinking, guns
Nov 11, 07:58 AM EST

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The sheriff of Los Angeles County plans to prohibit his off-duty deputies from carrying their guns while drinking because several have been accused in recent years of firing weapons while intoxicated.

Sheriff Lee Baca says there has been a disturbing rise in alcohol-fueled misbehavior among his deputies.

Since 2004, more than a dozen deputies have been accused of brandishing or shooting a gun while under the influence of alcohol. More than 60 have been arrested this year on alcohol-related charges, most for driving under the influence and most of them armed at the time.

The deputies' union opposes the restriction. Union leader Steve Remige says it would let criminals know that deputies who had put them away would at times be unarmed.

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Information from: Los Angeles Times, http://www.latimes.com

**Xiphos** · 11-11-08, 11:46 AM

Our policy says you aren't supposed to be armed while drinking. Bring a designated driver who's also a designated shooter.

**Ryan** · 11-11-08, 11:54 AM

Not sure about cops, but I know I can't have a beer and be armed. Although the law says under the influence, I don't risk it

**121Traffic** · 11-11-08, 12:18 PM

Seems pretty no-nonsense to me. In fact, I can't imagine being armed while drinking.

**cajunguy** · 11-11-08, 01:16 PM

Can't believe that they're just putting that policy in.

It's been in our policy manual for years, and common sense should have dictated it long before.

It isn't a problem for me, because I don't go out drinking anyway. If I drink a cold one, it's at home.
.

**kjlaw** · 11-11-08, 02:00 PM

That is common sense and you would have thought that it was part of policy a long time ago.

**CTR man** · 11-11-08, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by cajunguy

Can't believe that they're just putting that policy in.

It's been in our policy manual for years, and common sense should have dictated it long before.

It isn't a problem for me, because I don't go out drinking anyway. If I drink a cold one, it's at home.
.

Besides its cheaper that way. Going out to consume alcohol presents its own special set of problems, as those of you in the LE profession well know. Having a designated driver / shooter, etc. shows responsibility. There is too much of a chance for things to happen when the proverbial shit hits the fan. I couldn't imagine being armed and going out to a drinking establishment to consume alcohol.

**armsmaster270** · 11-11-08, 05:35 PM

It was common in the "Good Old Days" but times change and that is an image we don"t need.

**MacLean** · 11-11-08, 05:39 PM

While this seems like common sense, how far does it go?

Can you have one beer with dinner, or do you have to disarm to do that?

**cajunguy** · 11-11-08, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by armsmaster270

It was common in the "Good Old Days" but times change and that is an image we don"t need.

You're so right.

Watching Marshall Dillon and Deputy Festus puttin' down a cold one in Miss Kitty's saloon (for those old enough to remember that) while "on duty", isn't the image that today's LE profession needs.

.

**CTR man** · 11-11-08, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by cajunguy

You're so right.

Watching Marshall Dillon and Deputy Festus puttin' down a cold one in Miss Kitty's saloon (for those old enough to remember that) while "on duty", isn't the image that today's LE profession needs.

.

No, it isn't. In today's world I would like to remember those in LE as neighborhood family men / women trying to make an honest living, raising their families the right way and being positive role models for society.

I remember Gunsmoke! That was one of the best westerns of all time, and one that I used to sit down and watch with my Dad way back when.

**Five-0** · 11-11-08, 09:16 PM

So team "Six Pack" for the range competition is a no go? What the hell, if you need this spelled out in policy then I am willing to bet these deputies could screw up a wet dream. Seriously, don't get blasted and carry a gun. My opinion of common sense in California goes further below the level of zero.

**CTR man** · 11-11-08, 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by Five-0

So team "Six Pack" for the range competition is a no go? What the hell, if you need this spelled out in policy then I am willing to bet these deputies could screw up a wet dream. Seriously, don't get blasted and carry a gun. My opinion of common sense in California goes further below the level of zero.

I agree. There are many of us here in CA that still have some common sense, at least I would like to think that. Just don't put all of us here under one topic. But then again, this is Los Angeles again, so go figure. It doesn't surprise me in the least.

**deputysykes** · 11-11-08, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by sweetpea

Sheriff to ban deputies from mixing drinking, guns
Nov 11, 07:58 AM EST

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- More than 60 have been arrested this year on alcohol-related charges, most for driving under the influence and most of them armed at the time.

HOLY CRAP BATMAN!!! Seriously?

**MacLean** · 11-12-08, 12:02 AM

They are probably drinking themselves silly pondering how badly CA politicians are fucking up their work effort.

**Car 4** · 11-12-08, 12:19 AM

Imagine that! Sheriff Baca has finally learned that guns and booze are a bad combination. Every FNG in the business learns that on day 2 of his FTO.

Maybe it is all the sunshine (or sunspots) down there.

Car 4

**armsmaster270** · 11-12-08, 01:02 AM

Originally Posted by Car 4

Imagine that! Sheriff Baca has finally learned that guns and booze are a bad combination. Every FNG in the business learns that on day 2 of his FTO.

Maybe it is all the sunshine (or sunspots) down there.

Car 4

No, some people are just slow learners they need to be reminded 4 or 5 times.

**lewisipso** · 11-12-08, 03:29 AM

There has to be a policy on this? Give me a break. If I need to inform an officer that they need to be disarmed to do a bit of drinking how in the hell can I trust that person to make a commonsense decision in the field? Stand by. Next it'll be said they can't drink and drive.

**jmur5074** · 11-12-08, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by maclean

Can you have one beer with dinner, or do you have to disarm to do that?

I don't. If I'm planning on having a drop of alcohol, I don't bring my gun. And if I've brought my gun, which I always do, I don't drink.

I'd hate to have a beer with dinner, and as I'm walking out of the restaurant and cap some foo' for trying to rob me. Next thing you know, people are getting press time to tell the world that they saw me drinking. The next guy saw me have two beers. The next guy is saying I could barely stand I was so drunk, etc, etc.

OBVIOUSLY an alcohol test on scene will prove I was sober, but I don't want to take the chance burning my already stellar reputation.