biker cops

Message

shoakman · #1 Unread post by **shoakman** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:41 am

Just a random question here, but I've always kinda had it hangin around. Now it seems the general consensus is that full-face helmets are the safest way to go, and that half helmets do nothing to protect your face. So why is it that in light of these facts motorcycle cops only wear half-helmet protection?

Is it because they want to avoid the image of a sportbiker, or half helmets have better compatbility with their radio headsets? I was just wondering about this.

ninja79 · #2 Unread post by **ninja79** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:58 am

not only that, but their gear consists of standard police uniform: short-sleeve brown shirt and blue pants. No gloves. The only good thing they wear is tall leather boots. They are basically just asking for trouble.

Locopez · #3 Unread post by **Locopez** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:06 am

at least here in Cali...I only see the coppers wearing 3/4 helmets....

dieziege · #4 Unread post by **dieziege** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:16 am

I've seen some with modulars.

I think they figure they can't do their primary job (interact with public) with a face shield, and they don't want to take the helmet off on every stop. Besides, many cycle cops stay parked (radar gun in hand) long hours.

#5 Unread post by **t_bonee** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:07 am

Cause it's a pain in the keister to take a full face helmet off everytime you need to interact with someone. And then leave in on the bike, risk it falling off and getting bustificated or some jack "O Ring" kid running by and grabbing it and running off with it while they are talking to someone.

As for the other gear, I know I would make an uproar if the police department decided to outfit all its bike cops in full leathers on the taxpayers dime. So it is probably a cost issue.

dieziege · #6 Unread post by **dieziege** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:16 am

t_bonee wrote: As for the other gear, I know I would make an uproar if the police department decided to outfit all its bike cops in full leathers on the taxpayers dime. So it is probably a cost issue.

LOL... I somewhere there is a listing of California motorcycling laws which included, among other things, the law related to CHP motorcycle officer's footwear. To paraphrase: The State shall supply officers with one pair of knee-high boots. Loss of the boots will be taken from the officer's pay. If the boots have been previously issued to another officer, new officer will be given a free can of antifungal spray.

ninja79 · #7 Unread post by **ninja79** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:44 am

t_bonee wrote:Cause it's a pain in the keister to take a full face helmet off everytime you need to interact with someone. And then leave in on the bike, risk it falling off and getting bustificated or some jack "O Ring" kid running by and grabbing it and running off with it while they are talking to someone.

As for the other gear, I know I would make an uproar if the police department decided to outfit all its bike cops in full leathers on the taxpayers dime. So it is probably a cost issue.

uhhm... excuse me??? Are you going to complain that they outfitted the cops with guns, bulletproof vests, uniforms, and cruisers on the taxpayers' dime?

How about firefighters? They got free asbestos suits on taxpayers dime also!

#8 Unread post by **t_bonee** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:57 am

ninja79 wrote: uhhm... excuse me??? Are you going to complain that they outfitted the cops with guns, bulletproof vests, uniforms, and cruisers on the taxpayers' dime?

How about firefighters? They got free asbestos suits on taxpayers dime also!

All of the above are necessities of the job. Full leathers aren't. Now if bike cops were being seriously hurt or maimed because of crashing and not having full leathers that would make them necessary, but that isn't happening. I personally have never heard of any motorcycle cop being hurt on the job due to crashing.

Icarus · #9 Unread post by **Icarus** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:59 am

Yeah and thats because they are probably the best trained motorcyclists on the street. Seriously, have you seen some of those videos of motor cop training? Its crazy.
I just read an article about how they've been noticing that motor officers have been crashing not at work, but on the way home from work, since most departments allow their officers to take motorcycles home with them. For the life of me I can't remember if the cause was fatigue or just carelessness and stupid cagers - I'll see if I can find it again.

But yeah the full face helmet issue is due to the interacting with the public thing. One of the officers at my department had a modular, but all the others just use the 3/4 helmet. And full leathers wouldn't work that well just because of the nature of the job - can you imagine wearing a full duty belt over leathers

. But I do agree they should have more protection. I'm sure Motoport or some similar company would be able to produce a garment that looks like a normal uniform shirt/pants but that is made of kevlar/cordura. Probably a cost issue like many other things.

#10 Unread post by **Kal** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 10:11 am

Over here Bike Officers get a Flipup Helmet, Gloves, Boots and a Florescent jacket which I assume has CE armour in it.

Paramedics o bikes are issued the same kit.

I'm not sure what the undercover surveillance units are issued, but they get to play with Sportstourers and Sportsbikes so I'd assume full leathers.