Why do motor officers not ride ATGATT?

[Thruxtonian]

I've often wondered, I've been riding bikes since long before I was a cop, and we don't have motors at my smaller city PD, but it always seemed odd to me that these guys are out 12 hrs a day in high traffic areas wearing a shorty helmet and a short sleeve polyester shirt. Now admittedly it's hot out here, but if I'm wearing a ballistic vest anyway, how much worse is a vented jacket? And at least a modular helmet that could be opened to talk to people. Firstgear actually has a line of m/c gear, including a fully vented mesh jacket that is styled to look like the traditional "brando" leather cop jacket, but I've never seen one in use.

The only thing I can figure is tradition. I know that a lot of agency policy is based on tradition, even more so for motors and mounted units, but is there anything else to it? Just seems strange to wear your vest, train with your sidearms, study tactics and countermeasures all the time, then go ride pretty much without any protection. Any thoughts???

 

[sweatmachine]

Austin PD motors wear a decent amount of gear, but it varies from rider to rider. Most of 'em ride BMWs and wear modular helmets. I've seen some in just short sleeves, but others in long sleeves that maybe had some armor under the shirt/jacket.

Dunno what they wear, but they sure love writing speeding tickets!

 

[Bonafide]

Ahhh ... it has something to do with 'officer presence' of the uniform and ability to operate/communicate off the bike quickly. Remember, the bike just gets them there - after that, they have to function to all sorts of incidents - quickly and without being cumbersome. Our guys have a once a month training day with the large group of area motor officers. They have a cone course set up and practice all kinds of various things (most of which is low speed maneuvers, and skill sets like riding/taking off with your tires on/over 2X4s etc). Their bikes are also set up with multiple crash bar points etc ... and they DO take falls during training. It is RARE to see any of them with any sort of rash. If we're going outside the city, they'll usually wear their Highwayman Jackets - but if in the city, performing traffic duties ... they're in short sleeves polyester (long sleeve in colder temps - jackets in winter), half helmets, eye protection, gloves, motor pants (tight polys or wool with padded areas), and equestrian boots. I've asked and asked about the ghey equestrian boots. Each time, someone tries to explain to me how protective they are ... which usually results in an eye roll from me. It also seems tradition (around here) for them to wear a boot knife.

BTW - this uniform is dictated by dept SOP (policy). Their uniforms and 'gear' is right at $5k spent per motor officer. Even our dual sport has an uniform specific policy (BDUs w/identifying patch on back).

 

[DandyDoug]

The guy that taught the first MSF Advanced rider class I took was a motor officer in FL.
We talked some about the ATGATT or lack there of that motor officers wear. He did explain all about the uniform presence and how different localities require certain things.
He personally was a very small sized guy for a motor officer and has had his share of traffic accidents over the years, not many but a few. He typically wears a 3/4 or a flip up helmet as a personal preferrance.

I saw him a couple years ago he is retired now, and sporting a big old road rash scar on an arm caused by a moron incident as he called it. Said it was an officers worst nightmare, seemed like it all happened in slow motion and just knew it was gonna leave a mark.
He still rides and teaches, but dresses like a power ranger on the course and on the street.

 

[Thruxtonian]

Thanks for the input. I do understand the uniform presence thing. We're the last agency in my area that's still wearing dark blues in summer when everyone else is sporting shorts and nikes. Doesn't look as professional, but sure does look damn comfortable!
And yes, all the motors guys around here wear the knife in the boot also. Guess it makes the boots seem less, uh, u know...

 

[GuyM]

It's changing - even out here in rural central Washington our motor officers are now wearing very ATGATT gear. They've got the flip-up full-face helmets, some kind of high-quality textile riding gear, good gloves, lace-up boots etc... They seem to be very well outfitted - and they're riding Honda ST1300's.

Haven't seen anybody get away from those guys either.

Regards, Guy

 

[Bonafide]

There's a few (very few) agencies around here (metro Atlanta) with BMWs and Hondas. Even so - everyone is outfitted pretty much exactly the same. Everyone else is on a Harley and it seems the regular Harley riding Motors do not even want to associate with the non-Harley Motor guys. It's a click like any other social class group. I've never had a desire to be a Motor Officer. I think it would clash with my personal motorcycle enthusiasms. PLUS .. They're a weird bunch. Serious Type A personalities as well - I mean way over the top from the run-of-the-mill garden variety Type A that makes up the rest of us.

 

[TC_Dick]

SPD guys seem to roll with the short sleeves on their harleys, the Bellevue PD guys on their BMW's have white modular helmets and textile jackets they wear with a big ol' POLICE on the back.

 

[Gretsch]

Because they're protected by the power of H.R. Puffenstuff.

 

[outwestrider]

It's a click like any other social class group. ... PLUS .. They're a weird bunch. Serious Type A personalities as well - I mean way over the top from the run-of-the-mill garden variety Type A that makes up the rest of us.

Too funny! That's why I quit the Motors thing and joined the SWAT Team. Type A with a similar sense of focused driven purpose without all the public posing ... not dissen my Blue Knight brothers, just say'en ... although I have to say my Motors Unit was made up of a few former SWAT guys ... now that I think of it ... kind of funny to see former SWAT guys in short sleeve poly shirts and half helmets knowing full well they wouldn't have gone through a door with out ATGATT when they were on the Team !!?? :huh:

 

[Thruxtonian]

"kind of funny to see former SWAT guys in short sleeve poly shirts and half helmets knowing full well they wouldn't have gone through a door with out ATGATT when they were on the Team !!?? "

YES, that's exactly what I'm talking about...don't we always train and plan and dress for worst case scenario? I mean seriously, how many bomb threats turn out real? Couldn't we really just show up, casually pick up the "suspicous device", walk outside and chuck it in the dumpster, 10-8 NR. But we don't. That's why I think it's interesting the motors guys don't dress for the crash. There may be a bit of the "I'm invinceable" mentallity as well.

And dude, I'm with you. We don't have 'em but even if we did, it's not my gig. I want to be able to enjoy my day-off riding without feeling like i'm on the clock.

 

[otherwise]

Couldn't we really just show up, casually pick up the "suspicous device", walk outside and chuck it in the dumpster, 10-8 NR. But we don't.

Before I retired from the Post Office I did that one day. A packet was making a strange noise, staff started to shit them selves and were talking about emptying the building. I picked it up took it to the dumpster behind a concrete wall and we went back to work. The police arrived and put on a big show before they found it was an battery powered toothbrush.

 

[wobblygong]

Set the scene.
It's 12.30am on a Friday morning in Times Square, New York City.
10 Harleys of the NYPD lined up at the kerb. Their riders gathered as a group chatting and laughing.
A Union meeting?
Big Macs or Pizza?
Who popped the biggest wheelie?
WTF's happening here?

Any suggestions?

 

[outwestrider]

"I mean seriously, how many bomb threats turn out real? Couldn't we really just show up, casually pick up the "suspicous device", walk outside and chuck it in the dumpster, 10-8 NR.

Copy that! 99.9% of the time - but hey - don't those Bomb Techs have some cool ATGATT!

"There may be a bit of the "I'm invinceable" mentallity as well."

Totally - they get to get up in the morning and put on their Poncharello Super Suit and go fight bad guys - well - all except the having you and your partner's bikes towed around on a trailer in perfect weather part ... my partner used to blame the constant budget crisis of the department for the lack of gear ...

Personally I think it's a conspiracy by the Motors with their lack of ATGATT/ Big Attitudes and Swagger to keep them at the top of the extra-duty list and somehow ALWAYS get the killer extra-duty jobs working security at the hottest night clubs - am I right or what?? Never see them walking security for the Side-Show Freak Day Pride Parade do ya? Way to cool for that ...

*Otherwise* - being a long time Postal Worker, I assume you used your superior skills, xray vision and first hand knowledge of what "going postal" looks like to deftly determine the safety of said questionable/vibrating parcel - gotta say I like your confidence - my mind would have gone immediately to the gutter! I probably would have taken it home to the missus ... Ha! Good on ya! - But you gotta admit the Cops put on a good show ... Your tax dollars at work ...

By the way - as you can see I'm new to the site - sarcasm and ribbing your fellow sitemates is allowed - yes? :up:

 

[Bonafide]

Set the scene.
It's 12.30am on a Friday morning in Times Square, New York City.
10 Harleys of the NYPD lined up at the kerb. Their riders gathered as a group chatting and laughing.
A Union meeting?
Big Macs or Pizza?
Who popped the biggest wheelie?
WTF's happening here?

Any suggestions?

Hurry up and wait. It's probably an escort detail waiting to happen.

 

[otherwise]

By the way - as you can see I'm new to the site - sarcasm and ribbing your fellow sitemates is allowed - yes? :up:

Mandatory.

 

[KingBear]

Waiting for hot donuts?

 

[whyme]

Geez guys...Bonafide is on the job. Gotta lighten up on the cop digs!!

Funny though. I see some cops in NYC that look like they are kids walking around in their dads uniforms...some really young guys since 9/11. Or I'm just getting old.

 

[Bonafide]

Geez guys...Bonafide is on the job. Gotta lighten up on the cop digs!!

Funny though. I see some cops in NYC that look like they are kids walking around in their dads uniforms...some really young guys since 9/11. Or I'm just getting old.

The good humor digs dont bother - I love donuts, chocolate please. ... the ones that bother is the professional victim who throws insults instead of taking responsibility for their actions, "stupid cop pulled me over for no reason" kind of stuff.

As for young ones in uniform ... my current partner is young enough to be my son - and there's even younger ones getting hired on a regular basis. I saw one the other day in the squad room and asked, 'what year were you born?!?' .. "1988 sir." ..looked at his name tag .. 'tell your mom I said hey'.

 

[wobblygong]

Changes in the Force

Things not much different here either, Dude
Under the requirements placed upon them by Equal Employment Opportunity legislation introduced many years ago, the New South Wales Police Dept. lifted the height, weight and age restrictions on persons wishing to become a cop. This opened the door for guys and gals who previously were under the height or weight limits or over the age limit to successfully join the Police Force.

The first partner assigned to me from the first intake following the change, was so short I christened him "Sparky".
That's what his aluminium baton did as he walked along the street.


I later heard of a 50 year old female who was sworn in as a Constable.
We retire at 55 for christ sake!!

Strange days indeed.