Hats off to New Smyrna Beach, FL LEO

[h2ojunkie]

I was in FL last week for bike week. As you can imagine it can be quite a rowdy crowd.

LEO presence was very high just about everywhere during the 7 days I was there.

One we arrived and set up camp, we unloaded the bikes from the trailer and headed over to the gas station to fill up. As I pull in to the gas pump on the bike, I notice a couple of motorcycle LEO hanging out in the lot.

I turn of the bike, and I'm about to get off the bike to go in and pay for the fuel when one of the officers approaches me. As soon as he arrives at my side I discretely tell him I'm carrying and have a permit (not sure of the requirement to inform laws in Florida since I'm from Nevada, so when in doubt I take the safe route and just inform LEO to be safe).

The officer politely replies "I know" and asks where my permit is. (apparently my weapon was printing through my shirt as a result of being seated on the bike as I carry in the 8 o-clock position).

I inform him my permit is in my right front pocket, he asks me to see it. Takes a quick look at it, hands it back to me and says "Oh, you're carrying on a Nevada permit under reciprocity", to which I respond "Yes". He then lets me know that he wanted to check because a lot of the "bike week crowd" carries illegally.

The LEO hand back my permit and says "Enjoy your stay in FL".

I know this is a long story to basically report a non-event. But I have to give credit where credit is due. This officer was polite, professional, discrete, and a pleasure to deal with.

He did not ask to disarm me, did not make any type of scene what-so-ever. Not a single person at the gas station (and there were quite a few) had any idea at all what the office and I were talking about.

My hat is off to this LEO. If only all encounters could be this professional.

After I got done fueling up, I went over and took a minute to thank him for his professionalism so that his partner could hear my compliment.

P.S. I carried everywhere I went for my entire stay at bike week. I'm sure my weapon had to print more than once during my stay, after all it's hard to prevent it 100% of the time when sitting on a motorcycle with the wind blowing your shirt around. This encounter was the only one I had the entire stay in Florida.

[RDW]

Great post....We need to know when an LEO is doing a great job. Might I suggest that you send a letter to the department telling them what an outstanding job their officers were doing during bike week. If you can recall his name let them know how professional and polite this officer was. The letter would go into his file and might be able to help him at a later date.

[Cooter]

It's refreshing to hear about LEO's doing their jobs well.
You hear so much in the media about LEO's being corrupt, unfair, and gestapo like. I'm glad when I hear of the ones that are polite and courteous. Thanks for the post.

[LeavingMass]

Theres lots of great cops out there

Most Florida and New Hampshire cops are excellent, and deserves lots of respect
sorry I can't say the same about a lot of Mass. cops I encountered

[MufDady]

Great Post, Thanks

[DrLewall]

Thats GREAT!!! but what sux is that you went to Bike week and I didn't!! I am Jealous!..one of these days I will make it..

[HK4U]

Glad to here about your positive encounter.

[DrDavidM]

Thanks for posting. I think most cops do not have a problem with concealed carry. We often just hear the bad things that happen. It's nice to hear a good encounter.

[Big Bubba]

Sounds like the situation was handled really well by both you and the LEO.

[Scarecrow]

sounds like everything went really smoothly. that's a good thing. did he not even ask you to try to keep it more concealed? good encounter!