Do You Look Like A Cop ???

[David]

I had a conversation with a friend of mine, and he mentioned to me that he saw an "undercover cop" at his local supermarket.

So I asked him, how did he know this guy was an undercover cop?

He said he noticed a holstered handgun on this guy's belt (this guy was wearing a jacket that lifted up over the gun while he was bending to get something on the bottom shelf).

So I asked him again -- how did you know he was a cop?

My friend told me he could just tell -- he was tall and fit looking; he had a short haircut; he was clean shaven; he was wearing khaki pants with a navy blue windbreaker.

I went on to tell my friend that cops come in all shapes and sizes, and most of the police officers I personally know, do NOT fit the "Hollywood mold" of what a cop should look like -- AND many dirtbags out there DON'T look like the "Hollywood version" of a criminal.

In fact, the "smart" crooks most likely look like John Q. Public.

This made me think -- I wonder if it is better to look like a "good guy" (or gal) when carrying a CCW just in case a member of the sheeple might notice it by chance?



Anyone ever had any experience in having their CCW noticed by the public -- and what did you do (if anything)?

 

[slzy]

yes

 

[EghtySx]

I'm sure I have been noticed but I have never noticed anyone noticing.

 

[orangeninja]

I am a cop....and no, I don't look like one.

I usually wear worn jeans, big boots, baseball cap and either Dickies shirts with T-shirts underneath or some T-shirt that say somthing like "Guiness" or "Corona"

 

[dev_null]

Totally unscientific opinion: Sheeple are less likely to get the vapors over an inadvertant gun "flash" if they think the bearer 'looks like a cop,' than if they look like John Belushi or Charlie Manson.

Not that that's enough to make me cut my hair and wear a tie, mind you!

- 0 -

 

[Zach S]

Far from it. I have long hair and always need to shave. Most people pick up the pace a little when I'm walking behind them.

Does your friend know the difference between UC and plainclothes officers?

 

[Jeff OTMG]

I have been accused of it.

 

[DSRUPTV]

I think that many maybe even most police officers do have a distinct look and the previous description hits the nail on the head. I have also seen narcotics agents that look very unlike police officers.

 

[Black Snowman]

Just makes it a lot easier to deal with sheeple when you look like you fit in, even if you don't. I've always believed in staying low profile. Just because I want metallic blue hair and tatoos doesn't nessisarily mean I went out and got them. Isn't worth the hassle to look differant. I'm a strong enough individual that I don't need to advertise it.

 

[Ala Dan]

Been There And Done That

as I was a C.O.P. (as you say) for over 20+ years; but I don't think
I look like a COP.

I'm short (5'10" tall and weigh 'bout 210 lbs now), bald headed, clean
shaven, short hair, and usually wear blue jeans, t-shirt, and tennis shoes.

And YES I'm armed all of the time!

 

[EghtySx]

oops

 

[carp killer]

I have been told by several people that I look OR act like a cop. Police are trained to observe. And people pick up on the fact that I'm always observing the situation I'm in. And that I'm not acting like prey animal in a jungle of predators.

 

[ProactiveReactionary]

i look like the guy you dont want to sell a gun to. i'm not always clean shaven, i dont always look like a happy go lucky guy, i dress down alot. probably explains why i get little help offered to me in gun shops.

 

[Zundfolge]

I think in the minds of most sheeple, Gun+Holster=Cop.

I'm surprised how many people don't realize that you can get a permit to carry a concealed handgun in most places.


I think most people figure criminals don't carry in holsters.

Just because I want metallic blue hair and tatoos doesn't nessisarily mean I went out and got them. Isn't worth the hassle to look differant. I'm a strong enough individual that I don't need to advertise it.

I think thats the thesis behind Ayn Rand's quote "The only cowardice greater then that of the conformist is that of the fashionable non-conformist."

 

[Barbara]

I'm not sure what I look like but its probably not a cop.

Probably either a soccer mom or a granola-crunching lesbian. Not a cop though..

 

[dinosaur]

Usually when I was in uniform people thought I was a cop. I was up for detective once I think because the Captain told all the Sgts. I had no business being in a police uniform.

 

[walking arsenal]

I've been told i look like a cop so many times i've lost count.

I've been asked for help by strangers because they thought i was acop.

The bonus to this is that i can open carry and no one even blinks an eye.

I'm going to school next year for law enforcement. I'm going for a lot of reasons the top one being i want to make a difference in this world and try and bring a more positive image to police officers. The other reason? I've been told by everyone i know that they think i'd be comfortable as a cop and that i'd be good at it.

Good'nuf for me. I'll almost try anything once.

 

[buddy357]

Happens to me all the time

I have had it happen at gunshops, nights out at bars, driving into some areas at home, and even talking to LEO's when I visit my mom.

I am in the navy and I do stand up with proper posture. Short hair, clean-shaven, respectful and polite to most people. I am also pretty big, even though I am not in shape right now.

I think it is mainly attitude and the way you carry yourself that causes people to think that others are LEO's.

 

[Majic]

I didn't know there was a Cop gene? I thought they came from the general population like the rest of us. That would make them hard to pick out unless they were in uniform.

 

[Standing Wolf]

Depends how recently I've had my hair cut.

 

[Bear Gulch]

Yes.

Although my Boy Scouts named me Sasquatch years ago. So to some folks I must look like one.

 

[David]

I think my friend does NOT know the difference between an "undercover cop" or an "off-duty cop" or a "plainclothes cop".

Based on his description, if this guy was a cop at all, I would guess he was an "off-duty cop".

 

[12-34hom]

What does a granola - crunching lesbian look like? I'm confused...

12-34hom

 

[P95Carry]

The one time I flashed inadvertently - I think looking back I was probably assumed to be PI. Sure not looking like a cop!!! Folks did not seem excessively phased.

Other thing if we do show - is attitude. If total indifference, and no reaction of embarrassment then most I think will assume, if not cop per se - at least legal.

But best of all naturally - concealed is concealed

 

[sm]

Been Accused of it.

I have been known to assist the LEO community with some matters, probably the cause of it. Didn't matter if I was dressed in casual attire and cleaned up , or in long hair in a ponytail wearing jeans.

I have a blue Woolrich non insulated rain jacket - the one that folds into itself for pocket carry. That thing I need to quit wearing. More than once I have almost gotten into trouble wearing that jacket . Been told it looks way too much like the ones various agencies use with yellow letters on the back.

I was given this one some 15 - 20 yrs ago as a gift -

I think I'm gonna order the Green one from LLBean.