Told by FWPD illegal to OC in Indiana

[looney2ns]

Yeah I know, whats it usually take? 2months?

4-6 months currently.

 

[ButchP]

I was told by the Huntington Police Chief, (not the current Chief), when I had my interview to apply for my license, that carrying openly in Huntington would be considered "brandishing", and that it was suggested that one's handgun should be carried concealed, to avoid creating a disturbance.
Unfortunately, this attitude is common in the greater Fort Wayne area. The former Mayor of FW, Paul Helmke, is a big gun control advocate, and the hysteria and paranoia about guns in the FW political landscape and media outlets remains very strong.

 

[Titanium_Frost]

I was told by the Huntington Police Chief, (not the current Chief), when I had my interview to apply for my license, that carrying openly in Huntington would be considered "brandishing", and that it was suggested that one's handgun should be carried concealed, to avoid creating a disturbance.
Unfortunately, this attitude is common in the greater Fort Wayne area. The former Mayor of FW, Paul Helmke, is a big gun control advocate, and the hysteria and paranoia about guns in the FW political landscape and media outlets remains very strong.

There is no "brandishing" law in Indiana. OC is legal whether they like it or not.

 

[Hotdoger]

I was told by the Huntington Police Chief, (not the current Chief), when I had my interview to apply for my license, that carrying openly in Huntington would be considered "brandishing", and that it was suggested that one's handgun should be carried concealed, to avoid creating a disturbance.
Unfortunately, this attitude is common in the greater Fort Wayne area. The former Mayor of FW, Paul Helmke, is a big gun control advocate, and the hysteria and paranoia about guns in the FW political landscape and media outlets remains very strong.

Where is the former PC now?

 

[rgrimm01]

Is there such a thing as intimidation to which he may have been referring ?

 

[Titanium_Frost]

Is there such a thing as intimidation to which he may have been referring ?

Yes but OC is not intimidation. Intimidation MUST convey a clear threat.

 

[cobber]

No worries. Here's how one Fort Wayne court dealt with an actual crime with a dead victim.

Drunk driver gets four years probation

Their imaginary firearm offenses should get lighter treatment.

 

[thompal]

No worries. Here's how one Fort Wayne court dealt with an actual crime with a dead victim.

Drunk driver gets four years probation

Their imaginary firearm offenses should get lighter treatment.

No. Crimes against The State always get a minimum of 2 years in prison, even if those crimes are imaginary. It's important to punish crimes against The State more seriously than actual crimes, even if it is an imaginary crime. How else are we going to get citizens to respect The State more than they do other citizens??

 

[Sarge470]

Sounds Good. Will there be any accountability built in for any officer that chooses not to adhere to this new instruction? Such as signing off acknowledging that the instruction was received?

The department has always held individual officers accountable for training materials and information received, assuming that if you were trained, you're responsible for conforming to training standards. If your attendance in class was documented via the training roster (which everyone has to sign upon arrival), then you'd better conduct yourself as you were trained. This also shifts the burden for screwing up back onto the individual officer...if the department trains you on specific matter and you still screw up, you own it. Hopefully, the additional training will make a difference in interactions on the street.

 

[KG1]

The department has always held individual officers accountable for training materials and information received, assuming that if you were trained, you're responsible for conforming to training standards. If your attendance in class was documented via the training roster (which everyone has to sign upon arrival), then you'd better conduct yourself as you were trained. This also shifts the burden for screwing up back onto the individual officer...if the department trains you on specific matter and you still screw up, you own it. Hopefully, the additional training will make a difference in interactions on the street.

Thanks for the response and your willingness to discuss these issues for the benefit of all parties on both sides. I think this kind of civil, open and honest dialogue is a good thing and hopefully is something that can carry over onto the streets when interactions take place.

 

[T-DOGG]

As an update to this thread, the FWPD has just concluded a block of instruction regarding open-carry of guns in its in-service training modules for all personnel, with another session specifically for supervisory personnel. Supervisors were trained on this material in late 2012, and the department-wide in-service training cycle runs through Saturday, 2/2/13. Extensive information regarding Indiana firearm-related statutes was provided to every officer during my session and a pretty thorough discussion was held regarding constitutional issues at both the state and federal level, complete with recent case law concerning carrying of handguns in Indiana. I hope this training will help!

Thank you for the update and professionalism. In a bit of irony, I am currently pursuing a career in law enforcement. I am working on my resume, working out at the gym, and ready to get out of the automotive field and into the career I have thought about for a very long time. Not necessarily looking into FWPD (pretty sure my threat of lawsuit would rule me out, but maybe not) and I had also heard they aren't looking to put new officers in for a couple of years. I am going to apply with State, Allen County, New Haven, & possibly Auburn, maybe some others too. Anyone who has some advice for me concerning this please post or pm me.
-Thanks, Travis-
Any harassment leads to me sending Chuck over!

 

[actaeon277]

I don't know if it'd be irony. But, maybe you'll have a chance to set an example.

 

[hoosierdoc]

How many of you would ask the officer to arrest you for the charge of illegally OCing? Also, would you start a recorder in his clear view if he was saying things like this?

For me I wouldn't want my name in the blotter and have to deal with repercussions

 

[Titanium_Frost]

For me I wouldn't want my name in the blotter and have to deal with repercussions

You don't have to get arrested for that.

 

[hoosierdoc]

You don't have to get arrested for that.

touché!

 

[ATM]

How many of you would ask the officer to arrest you for the charge of illegally OCing? Also, would you start a recorder in his clear view if he was saying things like this?

For me I wouldn't want my name in the blotter and have to deal with repercussions

I would.

 

[JeremiahJohnson]

Excellent thread. I'd like to add that I've never been stopped or even approached in Lawrence County for open carry. Cudos to my local PD.

 

[churchmouse]

I CC just so LEO will not join the party. Not all of them but the few who are carrying a chip on the shoulder. You know who you are. Loose the chip please.

 

[hoosierdoc]

I would.

Is there a tactful way to "get arrested" when the officer said he wasn't going to? I can see them tacking on some sort of interference charge or something else that will stick even if the OC one won't, though it would be an easy argument that they led you there with the false charge of illegally OCing. Are police allowed to lie to you even when you've done nothing wrong? I understand they can say Billy Bob said you were the trigger man, but can they walk up to you and say you're doing something illegal to fish and see if you'll admit anything?

 

[ATM]

Is there a tactful way to "get arrested" when the officer said he wasn't going to? I can see them tacking on some sort of interference charge or something else that will stick even if the OC one won't, though it would be an easy argument that they led you there with the false charge of illegally OCing. Are police allowed to lie to you even when you've done nothing wrong? I understand they can say Billy Bob said you were the trigger man, but can they walk up to you and say you're doing something illegal to fish and see if you'll admit anything?

If the threat is being arrested for the charge of illegal OCing, I'd tell them to do it, knowing such a charge does not exist.

I would not respond to anything I deemed "fishing" and would maintain all of my rights politely while simply challenging any erroneous threats.