Colorado Springs Police Department Operations Manual

.01 PURPOSE: To set guidelines for taking law enforcement action while off duty.

.02 CROSS-REF: G.O. 1670, "Outside Employment"; G.O. 920, "Firearms Regulations"; G.O. 1210, "Manpower Availability"; G.O. 601, "Enforcement Guidelines"; G.O. 210, "Traffic Law Enforcement"; G.O. 215, "Delayed Enforcement Action"

CALEA STANDARDS 1.2.1; 1.2.6

.03 DISCUSSION:

.04 POLICY: The Department recognizes that off-duty officers cannot rely on immediate assistance or application of police resources in the same capacity as while on duty, and therefore expects officers to exercise reasonable judgment before jeopardizing themselves or others by taking police action off-duty. Officers should, however, take action on an offense which has a significant probability of resulting in personal injury or extensive property damage. When action is considered necessary consistent with the tactical situation, offenses involved, or other factors as determined by the involved officer, any police action will be governed by the same policies, procedures and rules that apply to on-duty personnel in a similar situation.

.05 DEFINITIONS:

.10 ESSENTIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Before taking enforcement action while off duty, officers will give first consideration to personnel from the law enforcement agency in whose jurisdiction the activity occurs.

An officer's identity as a police officer is more difficult to establish quickly when out of uniform, and private vehicles cannot be used for pursuits or other activities requiring special police equipment. Whenever a police officer is carrying a service, off-duty, or auxiliary firearm off duty, the officer shall also carry both an official police badge and official identification card/concealed weapons permit.

Off-duty officers are discouraged from taking enforcement action involving minor criminal or minor traffic violations. If delayed enforcement is possible in situations, the off-duty officer should convey the information to an on-duty supervisor for review and decision. In exigent circumstances, or if the officer considers immediate action necessary, the officer shall take appropriate action and consult an on-duty supervisor without delay.

.20 ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY -- NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVES: No Department officer who is a member of the Colorado National Guard or any branch of the United States military reserves shall exercise his/her Department law enforcement authority to intervene in any situation while on guard or reserve duty assignment, while traveling to or from guard or reserve duty assignment or while in military uniform.

If the Department member is serving as a member of a military unit which is responsible for law enforcement functions at the time and place of assignment, any such functions shall be performed only under the powers authorized in that official military capacity, and not by virtue of any law enforcement authority which the person may possess otherwise.

Concealed weapons may be carried only if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

* The officer is within the state of Colorado;

* The officer is not in military uniform; and

* Neither duty time nor travel time is in effect.

Colorado Springs Police Department

705 South Nevada Avenue

PO Box 2169

Colorado Springs, CO 80901-2169