Mayne Evnt
Member
I notice that when pictures are posted with guys not wearing all of the proper gear they get criticized heavily. Why is it that police officers on duty don't have on full gear? Just curious
Just Curious!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter Mayne Evnt
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Mayne Evnt
Member
Well in louisiana and a lot of other places I've seen, the cops don't wear jackets. Only time I would see them with a jacket is when it's cold outside, which those are for warmth. I see most rash on upper torso as most of the time that will be the first thing to hit.
I understand the bulletproof vest which part of any cops uniform, but it's not only cops I see this way. I have to say since riding and paying attention more, riders on sport bikes gear up more than riders on cruisers and non sport bikes.
I always gear up because I never know when my day will come!!!
Mayne Evnt
Member
That's some serious cash for 4 days....geeesh!
Can't speak to Louisiana, I've been in lafayette and rayne a lot and never seen a motorcycle cop (those cities even big enough, lol)
Mayne Evnt
Member
I know right!!!! They mostly hide behind trees in school zones lol
In San Diego they pretty much wear no gear as well (all cops are in BP Vests, they wear open face helmets, short sleeve shirts, sometimes gloves, and boots that don't look like they'd protect squat) and I have also questioned it. And the compromise is was I was told as well. I guess by the numbers it's statistically more dangerous for them to be in full gear with some limited mobility if they need to move quick after they've pulled someone over, than it is for them to be less protected when riding.
The main practice I don't like that they do, and I see it a lot on the freeways of San Diego is riding tandem. Directly side by side on the freeways. I've seen groups of 4 to as many as 10 CHP bikes on the freeway doing 75, riding tandem 2 to 5 rows deep, with no more than 2 feet between them nose to tail. Talk about dangerous riding. Leaving themselves no reaction time or space to maneuver if something were to come up.
The main practice I don't like that they do, and I see it a lot on the freeways of San Diego is riding tandem. Directly side by side on the freeways. I've seen groups of 4 to as many as 10 CHP bikes on the freeway doing 75, riding tandem 2 to 5 rows deep, with no more than 2 feet between them nose to tail. Talk about dangerous riding. Leaving themselves no reaction time or space to maneuver if something were to come up.
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My uncle retired as a city motorcycle cop up in PA back in the early 90's and from seeing the pictures of him on his bike, they didn't wear much gear also. Pretty much boots, gloves, and a helmet. As somebody who works in law enforcement myself all I can say is full leather gear just wouldn't work in so many ways. Plus it would just look rediculous with all the gear I already have on for the job....lol.
vengeance44
New Member
ya in my city all they wear is a white open face helmets and boots maybe gloves thats about it but i actually dont mind seeing them bc i usually follow them to see if they want to hit the twisties with me lol
redwing-2001
New Member
I had the opportunity to observe part of the 2 week moto-cop training course at the site where I teach MSF courses.
Whatever they charged, it would be worth it. It is unbelievable what they put those guys through and what they can do when they are done.
I asked several moto-cops the question about gear and never really did get a good answer except that department rules say they have to wear the same uniform as everyone else while on duty. And, in the event of a crash, one of them said, the way they ride, it wouldn't matter if they had gear on or not, the outcome would be the same.
Not saying I agree with that logic, just repeating the answer I got.
Whatever they charged, it would be worth it. It is unbelievable what they put those guys through and what they can do when they are done.
I asked several moto-cops the question about gear and never really did get a good answer except that department rules say they have to wear the same uniform as everyone else while on duty. And, in the event of a crash, one of them said, the way they ride, it wouldn't matter if they had gear on or not, the outcome would be the same.
Not saying I agree with that logic, just repeating the answer I got.
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Chevyfazer
New Member
They for the most part wear the traditional mounted uniform, only in the winter have I seen any wear jackets
alaskanflyboy
Premium Member
Ours here have taken to wearing modular helmets. They can have full face when running around, then flip it up when pulling someone over. Otherwise, they seem to be minimal in gear.
alaskanflyboy
Premium Member
Parcho
New Member
God I love Reno 911.
In Florida I see only the boots, helmet, glasses and gloves. I figure its their choice. The law doesn't require you to wear gear other than glasses. So they follow the law.
In Wisconsin they wore jacket / pants as well. But there were not many lol.
In Florida I see only the boots, helmet, glasses and gloves. I figure its their choice. The law doesn't require you to wear gear other than glasses. So they follow the law.
In Wisconsin they wore jacket / pants as well. But there were not many lol.
Mayne Evnt
Member
That Reno 911 pic is hilarious!!! ROTFL
Imagine trying to yell, "Drop the gun" or "Put your hands up"...with a full face helmet on. Or getting into a foot pursuit or wrestling on the ground with a suspect for your life while all in full leathers....It's just not practical OR safe! They aren't out there to drag a knee as they ride as fast as they can through the canyons...or ride wheelies down the freeway. Plus, with the duty belt and vest, your already adding over 20 lbs of gear. So, it's a compromise of safety (gear) vs. safety (life).
Modular helmets would be ideal and I know many departments are starting to use/test these out. CHP has started wearing new textile jackets and they are testing the modular helmets as well.
Modular helmets would be ideal and I know many departments are starting to use/test these out. CHP has started wearing new textile jackets and they are testing the modular helmets as well.
One of my uncles served until retirement.He was on the drill team, rode in the Indy500 parades standing on his seat and stuff.When he retired he got to keep his patrol bike somehow.I think they got new models and let him keep his as a present, (he already served until retirement for the pd, and this was his second retirement, but for the county instead).
Anyway his knees became to bad a few years later to ride it, and a different uncle bought it from him.
He also had a 883 sportser for his wife, and let me and my cousin ride them together a few times.The HD patrol bike weighed so much that the 883 would smoke it regardless of rider.
It has been about 10 years, and I cant remember all of the details about the bike, but the patrol bikes do get engine upgrades.
After riding that thing, I came to the conclusion that the bikes are mainly for extreme traffic environments, such as being downtown during a major sporting event, and they pull traffic duty just to stay busy sometimes.Major cities only have a couple dozen bikes, compared to hundreds of cars.When it snows they get a car instead.
Even if the officer on the bike has a chance to get in a pursuit, he should radio for backup anyway instead of making a risk like that.
Its just a basic means of transportation, and they shouldnt be used any differently than a honda ruckus.
They are more of a cerimony piece than anything.
Thats why you see them at parades, funerals, things like that.Id be suprised if the HD patrol bikes can do 110, couldnt catch a sports car, why try.
Anyway his knees became to bad a few years later to ride it, and a different uncle bought it from him.
He also had a 883 sportser for his wife, and let me and my cousin ride them together a few times.The HD patrol bike weighed so much that the 883 would smoke it regardless of rider.
It has been about 10 years, and I cant remember all of the details about the bike, but the patrol bikes do get engine upgrades.
After riding that thing, I came to the conclusion that the bikes are mainly for extreme traffic environments, such as being downtown during a major sporting event, and they pull traffic duty just to stay busy sometimes.Major cities only have a couple dozen bikes, compared to hundreds of cars.When it snows they get a car instead.
Even if the officer on the bike has a chance to get in a pursuit, he should radio for backup anyway instead of making a risk like that.
Its just a basic means of transportation, and they shouldnt be used any differently than a honda ruckus.
They are more of a cerimony piece than anything.
Thats why you see them at parades, funerals, things like that.Id be suprised if the HD patrol bikes can do 110, couldnt catch a sports car, why try.
From what I've read and seen, the BMW patrol bikes are FAST!!! And recently in California, they're starting to use a new Kawasaki ZX14 built specifically for Police use. These things are far from parade bikes. I've personally seen these guys ripping up the twisties just like a sportbike. I was on Palomar one day hauling ass up the hill and had one blow past the other direction, definitely not going easy.
I actually saw one of these bikes pull a wheelie (not a huge as this) carrying the front tire a foot off the ground when he pulled away from a stop light right next to me to go get someone who'd run a red light.
I couldn't believe the acceleration. They are really making sure that people who may decide to run on sport bikes from the cops don't have quite as much of an advantage as they did.
I actually saw one of these bikes pull a wheelie (not a huge as this) carrying the front tire a foot off the ground when he pulled away from a stop light right next to me to go get someone who'd run a red light.
I couldn't believe the acceleration. They are really making sure that people who may decide to run on sport bikes from the cops don't have quite as much of an advantage as they did.