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Why don't cops wear armor?

Brash47 said:

Why don't we wear armor, because most agencies do not approve it on duty and most officers if they can, will still not wear it.

brash
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How can you change the mindset of an agency :)laughing been there)? Seriously, has anyone done the math with worker's comp, OSHA regarding injury protection?


If there are motor LEO's here who would like to see real gear used and don't mind possibly ending any career advancement or future- please contact OSHA.

I feel you guys have a hazardous job and are not being properly protected. As a taxpayer- it IS costing me money.
 
Motoman totally agree with you. At least the option of protective gear if they dont wear it its on the officer if the dept doesnt allow it sue the shit out of them.
 
I don't know why you get so upset BRASH. They are not propoganda pics. I took them myself. They were wearing their gear and I asked them if I could snap some pics for my own proposal to my admin to purchase proper safety equipment.

My proposal was shot down (in writing) and I have a copy ready for the next officer that goes down on-duty.

The question was about proper gear and the fact is, it is out there. If the agancy won't provide it, it will cost them in the end. OTOH, if the officers are provided quality gear and they choose not to use it, then it is on them.
 
Forgive me for what may seem like ignorance (and/or unwillingness to dig thru old threads), but it seems like there are two issues in play.

1) Lots of motocops have cultural motives for not wearing gear. So be it. Can't really touch that.

2) MM4L implies that those who'd prefer to ride with burlier gear (the minority? see point one) are shot down at an admin level for budgetary reasons
(and perhaps the less tangible "intimidation" angle, which sounds like smokescreen - again, can't say).

Is there a cross-agency, systematic resistance to moto-officers wearing gear? Some budget/bravado feedback loop? I don't mean to discount officers' expertise in that equation, but I will, since the standard BARF line (and I buy it) is that circumstances will chomp your ass, over time.

Setting aside bravado, since willfully ignoring risk is an acceptably human pastime, and setting aside the intangibles of public image/intimidation, I guess my question is this:

Does it make (actuarial?) sense for L.E. agencies NOT to throw down, oh, a grand and a half per moto-officer to preempt medical costs for the type of spills that better helmet coverage and a 'stich might protect against?

Other wild cards, pos/neg? Foot pursuit? Pockets? I'm just winging it, here.
 
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I feel bad for you MC LEOs having to deal with red tape to wear protective gear. that's just nuts. it's one thing if it's a personal choice, but it should definitely be an option to let you wear the right gear. we can put a man on the moon we should be able to come up with the right gear to let you do your job effectively and still be protected. let us know if there's ever a citizen's petition we can sign
 
Based on Brash's response, would moto-cops wear crash helmets if they were not mandatory?

Obviously I don't know jack about budgetary issues or what cops are currently offered, but the gear in MM4L's pics looks excellent. My feeling is it would be good to give the individual cops the option of wearing decent gear just like the rest of us.
 
I know M4Life and Brash already have it covered, but just to add my 2 cents in -

Had a conversation with a Berkeley Motor officer about the gear and Harley's...he was a younger guy and the answer he gave me was pretty much that there are a bunch of guys from the "old days" still around who strongly disapprove of wearing gear or more modern bikes. Said officer hoped that when the old farts retired that there might be the option of some more modern outfits and rides.

:nerd

~J
 
LOL, the oldest guy in the BPD motor squad has many less years on than I.

To answer the question above, hell yea, I would wear a helmet no matter what.

I personally want better protective gear, but the proposal has been shot down at least once every few years when we put it back in.

Our chief is so ingrained into traditional look, she won't even let us wear black t-shirts under our uniforms, they have to be white. They won't let us put American Flags on our vehicles, only a itty bity tiny flag over our name tag.

Protection is not a priority in police departments, if it was in my agency, we would get rifle plates for our vests on the SWAT team...but as we've been told...its just not cost effective.

Most agencies if given the choice will side with the traditional non-functional police uniform and less safety over spending a few more bucks up front, as opposed to when someone gets injured.

MM4L, sorry for the rant, but I hate seeing pictures of gear that sits collecting dust in a locker because they are to egotistical to wear it.

brash
 
So what you are saying is that the officers can by all their own personal gear out of their pocket. They make plenty of money to go buy gear, so they don't really have an excuse. its their decision.

Can't SWAT officers just buy their own rifle plates or body armor? to me it seems that if you want the additional protection its worth it to buy it on your own.

http://www.bulletproofme.com/Body_Armor_Accessories_Rifle_Protection.shtml we aren't talking that much money here. thats around 2 days pay for most LEO's for the better plates.
 
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ptowntsi said:
So what you are saying is that the officers can by all their own personal gear out of their pocket. They make plenty of money to go buy gear, so they don't really have an excuse. its their decision.
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You clearly didn't read the thread.

I don't want to repeat it, so scroll up and read through. In short, all gear has to be approved and it rarely is. No, a cop can't just go "buy gear" and wear it on duty.... in most cases.
 
stupid agency bs. moto cops should wear what they want to wear as long as it meets the minimum requirements.
 
Been riding with this one for a bit. Love it and won't be wearing my 3/4 except for specific events where I need to look like all my guys.
 

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}Dragon{ said:
:thumbup:thumbup

How strong is the chin guard on that?
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Too many smart ass remarks are applicable to your question.

The truth is I don't know. It is a Shoei Multitech so the info is out there if ya realy wanna find out.
 
silversvs said:
Too many smart ass remarks are applicable to your question.
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I'd never ask a smart ass question. :rofl



silversvs said:
The truth is I don't know. It is a Shoei Multitech so the info is out there if ya realy wanna find out.
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Well- guess it's 100% better than no chin guard.

I did some research- it looks like Schuberth makes a LEO version of their lid too. :p
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/flip_face_helmet_comparison/index.html

FF-Helmet.donut-md.jpg


:rofl
 
silversvs said:
Been riding with this one for a bit. Love it and won't be wearing my 3/4 except for specific events where I need to look like all my guys.
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What is the deal with the design of LEO helmets? (white part on only 1/3 of the helmet)
helmetkit_big.jpg

Tradition? Safety?
 
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