The following 12 rules of conduct are intended to aid officers in becoming as effective and safe as possible while in their off-duty roles: (1) always carry a gun; (2) training in the areas of extreme psychological trauma and on methods of carry and recognizing other who may be armed; (3) consider less-lethal choices; (4) use of correct language; (5) use the radar or an attitude of constant vigilance and maintain a situational awareness; (6) be a good witness and act only if the situation demands an armed response; (7) use a “backdoor line” (dial 911) to dispatch to immediately establish oneself as an officer in need of assistance; (8) establish and practice an exigency plan with family members; (9) identify oneself as a police officer to approaching uniformed officers; (10) carry the most effective weapon the wardrobe allows; (11) practice with the weapon carried; and (12) use the most powerful element of self-defense, surprise. The off-duty police force entails a mode of self-defense and protection. Because of this mode, the off-duty force continuum is different from the on-duty one. Although situations may have a similar range of force, there is an infinite set of variables. To aid officers in becoming as effective as possible in their off-duty roles, the above rules are presented and discussed.