As far as taking this type of call, we would definately ask questions to get a "feel" for what the person is doing. I have taken several of these types of calls and I will inform the caller that it is legal to open carry in NC, however, we are still obligated to dispatch an officer(s) to make contact with the person or to observe the person and let that officer make that determination. Sitting in a dispatch room, it is impossible for me to know if that establishment is posted....and as Pro-2A as I am, I am not willing to risk my job by not putting a call in and something bad actually happens. On the flip side, callers very rarely want to wait to talk to the officers because they "don't want the person to know they've called." Which is fine.
As far as your second part, we are actually our own entity which works with the county and city departments. I don't work for the Sheriff's dept or the police dept.....I work for the communications center. We get funding from both the city and the county since we dispatch everyone, but we are our own entity.
Unless things have changed Harnett county will not dispatch for MWAG, they will inform the caller it is legal. Just gotta ask, would you dispatch a officer for a man with a golf club? Both can be deadly or both can be legal. As far as knowing if the business is posted, that is up to the business to call, not a stranger in the business. Nothing wrong with informing the officer and letting him make his decision to respond, but I see no obligation, and the courts certainly do not see a obligation.
No offense I know you try to do your job, but this is what honest people find very annoying, it is a assumption of guilt for a legal act. Just like the door greeters at Wally World who virtually accuse paying customers of stealing by demanding to see receipts.
BTW Solus I finally got a call from Wally World with a apology, and was told it would never happen again. She said they will be investigating the LP rectal little man, he has been a problem in the past. And she confirmed or agreed with me that he has no right or privilege to detain anyone unless they commit a crime.
I used to get calls for high school teenagers smoking on the sidewalks. I refused to answer the calls, it led to a go around between the mayor and county commissioner. At the time it was legal for teenagers to smoke, they just could not buy tobacco products under the age of 18. After a talk with the sheriff, and long talk with the dispatcher the calls were never dispatched again. There is no need to waste tax payers money with calls of legal acts. This would be about the same as a person calling to report you to the IRS because you bought a new car. I would imagine you would very PO if the IRS showed up at your doorstep to search your house and records over a legal act.
