what would be the pros and cons?
While many departments encourage their officers to carry off duty (your badge is also a concealed weapon permit in most areas), it is actually a federal workplace violation to require the officers to carry off-duty, unless they are somehow compensated. Look at it from this point of view, though. Most officers live in or near the area where they patrol. Imagine them going to school to pick up a son/daughter and having a gunman walk into the school. Everyone in the school looks to the off-duty policeman, but he left his gun at home. If people know you are an officer, they expect you to act like one whether you are on duty or not.
Almost all of the police officers I've met do carry a side arm on or off duty. Though not necessarily their service issued firearm. Most patrol cops I know carry a backup while on duty which is not service issued. I don't see much difference.
Some police departments still require officers to carry their firearms and badges 24/7.There was an incident in Milwaukee where two off duty coppers were bar hopping and got into an altercation with two men.The two off duty cops were killed with their own weapons.There was another case where an off duty officer was robbed.When the robber took the officers wallet,he found the officers badge and not wanting to leave such a reliable witness the officer was killed in front of his child.While an off duty officer may stop a crime in progress,it would seem to me to be a better choice that he/she observes and calls for on duty personnel.I think it's inherently dangerous to expect an officer to be prepared 24/7.I don't want an officer to be out at a wedding,a ballgame or other social event and be having a few drinks and still be armed.You put not only the officer but also the people they are with at risk when you require them to be armed when not on duty.
