I read years ago that NYPD cops are required keep their badges and guns with them even when off-duty and out in public within city limits, and are required to intervene if they see someone else’s life or limb in jeopardy. Not sure if that’s still true.
Beat me to it!
Wouldn’t that lead to all sorts of complications? For example, if they’d been in a bar drinking all evening and something went down.
This situation is more than likely covered in the departments written policies.
The general public is extraordinarily ignorant about police operations. Everything they know they learned from TV shows which are usually 98.6% inaccurate.
Police officers sink or swim by their agencies written policies. Whenever you hear about an officer being fired the reason is almost always for violating a department policy. If an officer follows department procedures and policies, even when a situation goes completely to shit, he/she usually will be ok career wise.
ETA: During my first career my agency had a policy of having our ID card, firearm & cuffs on us while off duty within the jurisdiction. A clause in that policy was unless we had consumed intoxicating liquors, taken medication, or were otherwise ill, injured, or physically unable to put ourselves on duty while off duty.