erichartmann said:
An FFDO who is outside the cockpit remains an FFDO subject to the provisions of his SOP. He may not act as an FFDO outside the cockpit. He is a federal law enforcement officer who is outside of his jurisdiction, but must still act in accordance with the provisions of the SOP. I'm quite sure there are situations in which an FFDO could legally have his issue weapon in his possession in a post office or other facility in which he could not carry a personal weapon, but and this is key, he is not empowered to act i.e. use the weapon. I asked some very specific questions with examples during training.
Ding! Ding! Ding!
We have a winner!
According to the "
FFDO Legal Authority, Use of Force, and Liability" class we took, you are an FFDO
all the time, but you may only exercise your authority while in a mission status, in the cockpit.
Pot bust at a college reunion? You were an
FFDO arrested for pot, even though you weren't "on duty". You are
double possum-f#$%#&!
DUI? Ditto. You get
three government agencies worth of scrutiny for that one! (local, FAA, TSA)
You can carry your creds any dang time you choose, since they are a government-issued ID...but you must comply with the SOP if/when you decide to show them to somebody. Can you show them to the surly know-it-all clerk at the sporting goods store to buy ammo? Yup.
Can you use your H&K to shoot a burglar? Yup...but you ain't covered by ATSA (49 U.S.C. $114 (q)(3)).
Can you go deer hunting with it? Yup...since it's not prohibited. Again, no coverage by Uncle Sugar.
Can you use your creds to get out of a traffic ticket? No
yesWay! It's a matter of technique, not policy. "
Officer I was speeding home to clean my government-issued USP after/before my requal at _________ (local cop range)." If he/she asks to see your badge...you are authorized to comply.
Naturally...some dorks will push the envelope. They "
smooth out the curve" for the rest of us.