Off-duty Police Officer loses his firearm in late night road crash in Pattaya

PATTAYA: -- An off-duty Banglamung Police Officer was involved in a suspicious single-vehicle road accident in the early hours of Saturday Morning, which resulted in the theft of his Police-issue firearm. The accident occurred on the Sukhumvit Road, in front of Soi 27 and in front of a shop selling ornaments. Police Sergeant Major Tanapat aged 37 was rushed to the Bangkok Hospital Pattaya with upper-body injuries which are thought not to be serious.

Full story HERE

-- Pattaya One 2011-02-26

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Why did he carry his police issued firearm if he was off-duty?

Why did he carry his police issued firearm if he was off-duty?

Perhaps because he paid for it much like his "issued" uniform? I would be more suprised to see a bib that was off duty w/o his gun.

Why did he carry his police issued firearm if he was off-duty?

From this article it appears they are required to as is the case in many countries.

What rights do you have for carrying a gun?

At all times. In theory, a police officer is never ‘off duty’, if he sees a crime at anytime he must deal with it. In our spare time, dressed in casual clothes, we should still carry our guns but they ought to be concealed under our shirts etc…. That is the regulation.

When does a police officer have the right to shoot?

Only if the suspect is carrying a weapon and shoots at us first. We are only allowed to fire once. If an average suspect turns around and tries to run away, I can only chase him.

Interview with a Thai Cop

I'm sure the above statements will bring up some interesting comments.

They really don't follow any rules, do they?

My family don't have any policemen as friends because they just don't trust them.

I suppose it's the same in any country now, most of them are just in it for the fringe benefits.

They've lost the respect of the honest people.

Seen a lot of coppers riding around on their bikes with their holster open, and the locking strap blowing in the wind, also seen them walking around with it open.

Why has the officer not been breathalyzed? Tired from work or from the extra work he does after duty?

I have a Police friend, but my family do not trust them at all.

Is he really your friend or just an aquaintance who hasn't screwed you over, yet?