Why dont cops wear gear?

[WildKat]

On my charity ride this weekend, I mentioned how we were police escorted by to city motorcycle cops. None of which had any gear on, but brain bucket, gloves, and some boots that would barely stop a high speed knat let alone offer any protection.

I understand the whole thing of riding for 8-10 hours or so everyday, in the heat, and in the city and traffic and all that, but still, being role models for society and all that you'd think u could atleast get them to wear some textile police certified riding pants and a mesh jacket or something !!!! So any thoughts on why, or if you think they should, or why you think they shouldnt.

I actually wanted to ask them this question, but they broke off from the ride as we got back to the expo center so I didnt get to talk to them.

[Anonymous]

Police here don't wear gear either when it's nice (70 degrees )

I think it's ego.

[WildKat]

It would give them more pockets to store donuts in if nothing else

It just makes me wonder w/ all the safety precautions and checks and balances that cops have, to stay safe and do their jobs.. that you wouldnt want to do something as simple as this for your bike officers.

[Katastrophe]

I think it has something to do with function... I know the officers at my agency don't wear full face helmets because you have to take it off to talk to a subject, and that takes time. Remember, officers wear body armor, which would provide protection in a crash (at least around the back and torso), gloves, and most require those really high riding boots that provide some foot protection in the event of a crash. A tight riding jacket and pants may limit mobility when off of the bike, which is definitely not a good thing should things get ugly. Also, officers get a lot more training in their certification class, with emphasis on safety and surviving crashes.

I agree, though, with all the emphasis on officer safety, you would think that one of the gear companies could come up with gear that is functional, with effective knee and arm/shoulder protection that doesn't weigh a whole lot more than the equipment an officer already has to wear...

[WildKat]

I thought that as well, w/ them wearing the protective vests and all, but in this case on saturday, unless those vests are paper thin and u can sweat thru them, they werent wearing any.

Even some of the basic under armour you can find would be better than nothing, IMO.

Interesting to say the least.

[Anonymous]

I know the officers at my agency don't wear full face helmets because you have to take it off to talk to a subject, and that takes time.

Here in Portland actually, they have full faced that you can flip the entire front back to talk to people.

Remember, officers wear body armor, which would provide protection in a crash (at least around the back and torso), gloves, and most require those really high riding boots that provide some foot protection in the event of a crash.

But sometimes (a lot of time) I see officers with short sleeve shirts and that's about it...and it's not super nice, it's around 70 or so.

I agree, though, with all the emphasis on officer safety, you would think that one of the gear companies could come up with gear that is functional, with effective knee and arm/shoulder protection that doesn't weigh a whole lot more than the equipment an officer already has to wear...

+1

[Katastrophe]

Here in Portland actually, they have full faced that you can flip the entire front back to talk to people.

Yeah, I didn't think about modular helmets...

But sometimes (a lot of time) I see officers with short sleeve shirts and that's about it...and it's not super nice, it's around 70 or so.

It really comes down to what the agency issues / requires its officers to wear, and every agency is different in that regard. Some agencies are more "traditional" in their requirements (half or open to 3/4 face helmets) and others are more progressive (modular, flip up helmets). Change sometimes happens slow in the law enforcement world.

Perhaps the officers that escorted the charity ride were off duty? It is possible that they were not wearing the vest because of that. Also, many departments will not allow an officer to wear any unapproved clothing while working at an official function.

Also, consider this: police departments are run by administrations, some of which have never ridden a motorcycle, much less bought or evaluated some of the safety gear out there... Also, consider that money is usually accounted for in the budget to the penny, and there may not be budget money available to purchase gear for every motorcycle officer. Although, it is conceivable to allow an officer to purchase his/her own safety gear. There are a TON of variables here... I know at my agency if we're on duty, we're wearin' the vest. The motor guys (and they are all patrol officers that voluteer for motorcycle work) all wear open face helmets, gloves, the vest, and tall riding boots. In cooler weather they all wear leather riding jackets with the department patches and the "motor" patch on the sleeves. Just my 2 cents...

We also just acquired a new to us Honda ST1100 that hit the street this past weekend... SWEET!

[SweetLou]

They don't wear gear because they ride Harley's.

[2K5GSX600F]

They don't wear gear because they ride Harley's.

Even better they ride BMWs!

[Anonymous]

Blue's gonna make us all disappear

[BISQ]

Actually, it all comes down to what the standard operating procedures say. They are usually VERY specific as to work/dress uni. Officers aren't able to vary from it, even if they wanted to.

[The CyberPoet]

I always thought it was strange, at least from my German perspective -- German cops wear full leathers or synthetic riding suits, flip-up full-face helmets, and in general top-notch gear (their leather gear is usually thicker than the typical off-the-rack leathers from the top name manufacturers).

Oh well...

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[WildKat]

Actually, it all comes down to what the standard operating procedures say. They are usually VERY specific as to work/dress uni. Officers aren't able to vary from it, even if they wanted to.

so thats where the city or town's need to be educated on bike safety and the benefits of wearing gear. They've seen enough accidents to know what happens when you dont..but hey, they'll learn sooner or later.

[977blue]

Blue's gonna make us all disappear

Don't worry, WildKat's "more pockets for donuts" comment didn't go unnoticed.

We've got 2 full dressed Harley's that hardly get used. Only two officers have gone through the training course. One is now a supervisor and the other works nights. What a waste. I'm constantly mentioning to the Lt. and the training director that we need more officers trained to ride them (namely, ME!) We got the bikes from Seacoast Harley-Davidson in New Hampshire and the owner said he would provide the training for free. Just a matter of scheduling and OT concerns on our end.

As far as gear goes, the department issues padded pants, jack boots and leather jackets. The officers aren't actually "required" to wear any of it. We don't patrol any highways, its all city streets, 30MPH zone, but, yes, accidents can still happen. Maybe that's why they won't give me the training. I told the Lt. that I would wear my Shoei RF-900 and JR Speedmaster jacket.

I thought this was kind of funny...when you activate the emergency lights on the Harley, there's a little red light on the instrument panel that comes on and says, "Pursuit", with a circle around it and a line through it. Well, duh!

[crypt dog]

we dont have bike cops round here probley cause all the gear in tha world wouldnt protect them from kentucky drivers they suck S. oh wait but we do have cops on bicycles funny huh any ways id probley have more respect for copers if they did ride bikes (katanas of course) bye bye now