GENERAL ORDERS LINCOLN POLICE DEPARTMENT
SUBJECT: GENERAL OPERATIONS
TITLE: OFF-DUTY LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
EFFECTIVE DATE: JUNE 1, 2025
REVISION DATE:
ACCREDITATION: ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE (AACOP)
APPROVAL: CHIEF DARREN E. BRITTON
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OFF-DUTY LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS
340.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy is intended to provide guidelines for officers of the Lincoln Police Department with respect to taking law enforcement action while off-duty.
340.2 POLICY
It is the policy of the Lincoln Police Department that officers generally should not initiate law enforcement action while off-duty. Officers are not expected to place themselves in unreasonable peril and should first consider reporting and monitoring the activity. However, any officer who becomes aware of an incident or circumstance that he/she reasonably believes poses an imminent threat of serious bodily injury or death, or significant property damage or loss, may take reasonable action to minimize or eliminate the threat.
340.3 DECISION TO INTERVENE
There is no legal requirement for off-duty officers to take law enforcement action. Officers should consider waiting for on-duty uniformed law enforcement personnel to arrive instead of immediately intervening and, while waiting, gather as much accurate intelligence as possible. However, if an officer decides to intervene, he/she must evaluate whether the action is necessary or desirable, and should take into consideration:
(a) The potential to be misidentified by other law enforcement personnel.
(b) The potential to be misidentified by members of the public, who may be armed or who may take action.
(c) The tactical disadvantage of being alone and the possibility of multiple or hidden suspects.
(d) Limited off-duty firearms capabilities and ammunition.
(e) The inability to communicate with responding law enforcement personnel.
(f) The lack of equipment, such as body armor, handcuffs or control devices.
(g) Unfamiliarity with the surroundings, including escape routes.
(h) The potential for increased risk to bystanders by confronting a suspect or taking action.
340.3.1 INTERVENTION PROCEDURE
If involvement is reasonably necessary, the officer should attempt to call or have someone else call 9-1-1 to request immediate assistance. If possible, the communications officer receiving the call should obtain a description of the off-duty officer from the caller and broadcast that information to responding officers.
Whenever practicable, the officer should loudly and repeatedly identify him/herself as an officer with the Lincoln Police Department until acknowledged. Official identification should also be displayed when possible.
340.4 CONSIDERATIONS
When encountering a non-uniformed officer in public, uniformed officers should wait for acknowledgement by the non-uniformed officer in case he/she is working in an undercover capacity.
340.4.1 SUPPORT STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
Support Staff members should not become involved in any law enforcement action while off-duty except to notify the local law enforcement authority and remain at the scene, if safe and practicable.
340.4.2 INCIDENTS OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Department members should refrain from handling incidents of personal interest (e.g., family or neighbor disputes) and should remain neutral. In such circumstances members should call the responsible agency to handle the matter.
340.5 REPORTING
If prior notification to the appropriate local law enforcement agency is not reasonably possible before taking action, the officer shall notify the agency as soon as reasonably practicable. Officers shall cooperate fully with the agency having jurisdiction by providing statements or reports as requested or as appropriate.
Officers shall notify the Watch Commander regarding any law enforcement action taken while off-duty. The Watch Commander may send a supervisor to the location. The supervisor may request assistance from the Professional Standards, if deemed appropriate.
The Watch Commander shall determine whether a crime report or an administrative report should be completed by the involved officer.
These policies and operating procedures are not designed to cover every possible scenario or situation in society, but rather to define standard operating procedures for members of the Lincoln Police Department. These guidelines are subject to past, present and future judicial review. These guidelines can be amended and or repealed by the Chief of Police as necessary. The policies and procedures herein provided supersede all previous policies and orders.
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