Zero-Tolerance Policy Approved For Guns, Booze

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OCEAN CITY — After weeks of debate, the safest number concerning alcohol, guns and off-duty public safety officials in the eyes of the Police Commission is apparently zero.

The Police Commission voted unanimously on Wednesday to instill a zero-tolerance policy to the final section of the new Ocean City Police Department General Order guidelines (200-B2), which will simply mean that off-duty officers will not be permitted to carry a weapon if they have any trace of alcohol in their system.

Police officials pointed out that the rule for scheduled police officers will still stay the same, meaning that if they are scheduled to work, they should have their last sip of alcohol at least eight hours before that shift begins.

“This is not only carrying a firearm but also about off-duty officers getting involved in activities, so as to make a division of being a private citizens and what their responsibilities as an officer even when they are off duty,” said Guiton.

Public perception may have driven this seemingly commonsensical issue into a greater debate, but at the end of the Wednesday’s meeting, the commission stressed that the final decision is extremely cut and dry.

“All this says is that if an officer is planning on going to Salisbury with the boys and they are going to be drinking, they better leave their guns at home,” said Hall.

http://www.mdcoastdispatch.com/article.php...=30&id=8316