The police chief of Georgia Southern University is facing criticism after she sent an email to her officers, asking that they leave their firearms behind when attending football games off-duty.
According to All on Georgia, GSU Police Chief Laura McCullough sent the following email to her colleagues in advance of the “Military Appreciation” game this coming Saturday.
“Colleagues,
This football season we will be restricting weapons carry by law enforcement officers in Paulson Stadium. Please share this information with those in your office to whom it applies.
No off duty officers, or officers in plain clothes, will be allowed to bring a weapon, open or concealed, into the stadium. Ony uniformed officers working the venue will be allowed to carry a weapon and they will be recognizable by special wristbands identifying them as Even Police.
Officers who are on duty and want to drop by the stadium for a short period may do so, but must identify themselves to an Event Police Officer at the gate before entry. We ask that any officer dropping by the stadium use only the gates where a uniformed officer is posted.
Law enforcement officers are allowed to have their weapons in their vehicles as long as they are secured and the officer has proper credential showing permission to carry a weapon.
Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter. We do hope to see you all at beautiful Paulson Stadium to help us cheer on the Eagles. Also, remember that this Saturday’s game is Military and Law Enforcement Appreciation with special ticket deals for members of Law Enforcement and their families.
Laura McCullough
Chief of Police
Georgia Southern University Public Safety”
Unfortunately, the Federal and state laws are a little gray when it comes to the allowance of off-duty officers carrying on campuses. Due to the inconsistency of those laws such policies as Chief McCullough’s still exist.
While the policy may be in force on campus, the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA) allows officers to carry anywhere but aircraft and national parks, and judicial rulings tend to favor officers.
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Actually you can carry in national parks
That’s true. And incredibly Obama signed that into law. 🙂
We decided to discuss this story on the LEO Round Table law enforcement talk show last night. Here’s the link in case you want to check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDbQmpnnmPg
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