When I was living and working in NYC, around the same time as they enacted the peace officer bill up there, my friends and colleagues on NYPD told us the best thing to do while off duty was to just "drop a dime".
This way there would be no question about having to end up in hot water over whether or not your actions fell within the scope of either the local law or your own agency guidelines. That never sat well with me, then or now.
Here in FL, federal agents (Special Agents etc.) are also covered under such state peace officer provisions which are supposed to provide a certain amount of indemnification.
"Agency" policy is not to take direct action unless it is a felony being enacted in your presence; or in the aftermath of a violent (or potentially violent) crime in which serious injury/death has occurred or may be imminent.
It used to be that the United States Attorney's office would represent those who would take action. Now they are just as likely to prosecute. Also, agencies being what they are these days are less likely to "stand up" for their personnel who take a stand.
As for me, I just leave it to my personal values and the action I feel is appropriate in the moment. I'd rather do what I feel is right and deal with the paper pushers after the fact. (Realizing that to do so puts one at risk.)
Blues
------------------
Live Free or Die
This way there would be no question about having to end up in hot water over whether or not your actions fell within the scope of either the local law or your own agency guidelines. That never sat well with me, then or now.
Here in FL, federal agents (Special Agents etc.) are also covered under such state peace officer provisions which are supposed to provide a certain amount of indemnification.
"Agency" policy is not to take direct action unless it is a felony being enacted in your presence; or in the aftermath of a violent (or potentially violent) crime in which serious injury/death has occurred or may be imminent.
It used to be that the United States Attorney's office would represent those who would take action. Now they are just as likely to prosecute. Also, agencies being what they are these days are less likely to "stand up" for their personnel who take a stand.
As for me, I just leave it to my personal values and the action I feel is appropriate in the moment. I'd rather do what I feel is right and deal with the paper pushers after the fact. (Realizing that to do so puts one at risk.)
Blues
------------------
Live Free or Die
.