Rider (Police Officer) killed in accident escorting Sen Cliton

[frankieG]

who knows but it was the only thing i could think of off the top of my head

[bettingpython]

Our state troopers here ride harleys but the amazing thing is they wear full face helmets leathers in cool weather and mesh/textile in warm weather. I was going down the road the other day and looked in my rearview mirror whilst at the stop sign and saw a harley pulling up behind me but the rider was wearing a full face helmet. Then I saw the the rest of the markings, good on them I say. Of course our state boys also have a pair of Busa's that not only do PR appearances but are also working traffic enforcement units.

I wish my city and county departments would take a cue from the OHP.

Oh wait I remeber now the OHP are weariing flip ups, better than brain buckets.

And the commo gear is installed into the helmets.

[asobi]

who knows but it was the only thing i could think of off the top of my head

I appreciate the discussion, and I didn't mean to snap at you...it's good if we go through all the possible rationalizations they might have for keeping the status quo before we start writing letters.

Our state troopers here ride harleys but the amazing thing is they wear full face helmets leathers in cool weather and mesh/textile in warm weather. I was going down the road the other day and looked in my rearview mirror whilst at the stop sign and saw a harley pulling up behind me but the rider was wearing a full face helmet. Then I saw the the rest of the markings, good on them I say. Of course our state boys also have a pair of Busa's that not only do PR appearances but are also working traffic enforcement units.

I wish my city and county departments would take a cue from the OHP.

Oh wait I remeber now the OHP are weariing flip ups, better than brain buckets.

And the commo gear is installed into the helmets.

Good to know...can you provide any more information on this?  Is this Ohio?  And are there photos of these officers on the web somewhere?  It would be good to point to other law enforcement organizations when writing to local ones.

[asobi]

Here's my letter to one trooper in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.  I could not find an official OHP email address; let me know if anyone else can find one.

Hi, in the wake of the fatal accident involving a motorcycle officer in Hillary Clinton's motorcade, I was interested in police department policy on protective gear for officers.  The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was mentioned to me as an exemplar of good policy in this respect and I was interested in learning more about your policy on outfitting officers with flip-up helmets and leather or textile riding gear.

Does the department pay for gear or merely allow officers to purchase their own gear as long as it meets minimum specifications?  How would you contrast your department's policy with other police organizations which insist on a more standard cotton or wool police uniform and open-face or half helmets for motorcycle officers?

Thank you for your time.

[bettingpython]

Yeah our Busa guys have a blogspot. http://ohpbusa.blogspot.com/

Contact information page.

http://www.dps.state.ok.us/comment/

[nightrider]

The guy was trying to overtake the column so he was probably "speeding". It was a curve

He had only been a motorcycle cop for a few months.

[asobi]

Here's my letter to one trooper in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.  I could not find an official OHP email address; let me know if anyone else can find one.

Hi, in the wake of the fatal accident involving a motorcycle officer in Hillary Clinton's motorcade, I was interested in police department policy on protective gear for officers.  The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was mentioned to me as an exemplar of good policy in this respect and I was interested in learning more about your policy on outfitting officers with flip-up helmets and leather or textile riding gear.

Does the department pay for gear or merely allow officers to purchase their own gear as long as it meets minimum specifications?  How would you contrast your department's policy with other police organizations which insist on a more standard cotton or wool police uniform and open-face or half helmets for motorcycle officers?

Thank you for your time.

And the response -- I think every police department should work like this, starting with my local PD...

Most of the protective gear worn by Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers is not
so much mandated by policy, but rather it is standard procedure for the
members to wear the gear.  The Patrol provides both 3/4 open face and  full
face helmets, over the ankle leather boots, and leather jacket.  At their
option and expense, members may purchase and wear full legged leather
gaiters, which are compatible with the Department issued uniform.  Members
also may purchase and wear protective gloves.  Most have opted to wear full
finger gloves.  The helmets are mandated to be worn.  The other gear is at
the discretion of the trooper.  But, it is a common practice for gloves,
boots, and leather jacket (in cooler weather) to be worn.

I could not comment on how the Patrol compares with other agencies.  It has
not been a research issue.  We strive to provide our members with the
necessary equipment and stay current on trends and technology, especially
as it pertains to safety.

I hope this information is useful to you.

[scottpA_GS]

They responded pretty quick  Sounds like they do about the minimum to protect the motorcycle officers... Also sounds like they don't wear the leather when its too hot...

I guess its like bullet proof vests.. most departments don't require you to wear one, its up to you.

[bettingpython]

The busa troopers have been instrumental in getting additional gear for our troppers, a few years ago the department required only a brain bucket 1/2 helmet for troopers. Last I heard about 6 months ago they were testing summer weight mesh gear that would not interfere with standard issue gear belts. They hoped to receive approval in a year or so it's just one of those things about bueracracies it takes time to get gear approved. I do know that some of our motor unit guys have invested in Bohn under armor at their expense.

[scottpA_GS]

Yea... I looked at the Busa HPD blog... they are definitely pro gear 

[Kasumi]

Our cops over here are expected to wear and provided with head to toe leather gear, or i think they can do textile as well. A full face flip front helmet with comms built in. Proper race boots and a high vis over jacket. They are well protected and very visible.

We also have off-road motorcycle cops who are provided with the same protection but due to the off-road bikes they ride they don't have paint schemes but are still fitted with lights.

[bettingpython]

Kasumii what is summer weather liek in the U.K.

Her in this part of the state we have frequent summer days in the 90 degree plus range with humidity in the 60% and up range.

On my bike as long as I am moving perforated leathers are not completely intolerable but when stopped it is a brutal assualt on ones ability to not go diving naked into the nearest fire hydrant.

Hence the troopers who are actively trying to get more safety gear implemented are looking at summer weight gear approval.

[Kasumi]

We don't have a climate as such here in England. Just weather. Summer is never in the same damn place and they vary every single year. If we get a hot spell in summer here it will last for a week max but the highest i dunno high 20s in centigrade, nothing like America. I wear perfd leathers most of the time. When its too cold to wear them its usually raining so im wearing an oversuit anyway which stops the wind and they get much warmer. Occasionally i wear textile overpants so i can wear my normal clothing underneath. However i hate textile jackets i find they get way too sticky and prefer leathers on my top half.

[asobi]

They responded pretty quick  Sounds like they do about the minimum to protect the motorcycle officers... Also sounds like they don't wear the leather when its too hot...

I guess its like bullet proof vests.. most departments don't require you to wear one, its up to you.

To me, the OHP policy is about as good as one can expect.  They offer full-face helmets, leather jackets and boots to their officers, and they appear to be fine with allowing additional safety gear.  As long as they pay for the essentials and beyond that allow their officers to take steps to protect themselves they've done their due diligence, in my opinion.

What bugs me is when I hear that departments don't allow "non-standard" equipment to be worn; I want to be sure that if officers want to wear full-face/flip-up helmets or textile armor to protect themselves, that is not prohibited by the department because it "looks different" than the normal uniforms.  After seeing so many officers riding around with flimsy cotton/wool uniforms and open-face helmets, I have to assume that they know better but are not permitted to wear better protection by their departments.  If this is not the case and they are all actively choosing not to wear gear that could save their life, then I don't know what to say, but they should consider wearing it if for no other reason than to set a good impression for other motorcyclists.

[Kasumi]

Exactly, i dunno what its like over there in the US but if you were riding round in your shorts and t-shirt with just a helmet (law) over here in England and a bike cop saw you they would more than lilkely have a friendly word about getting some gear. I can't see how you could do that in America tho.... I mean Ponch' isn't going to have a leg to stand on giving advice to some squidly McSquiderson about proper gear when hes stood there in his light brown cotten shirt and leggings with a half face helmet. Not to mention when they're driving round one handed chatting away on the CB lol.

[jserio]

it bothers me that a cop on his bike may not be required to wear more protective gear yet he is allowed to pull over a motorirst and give them a ticket for no seatbelt. i personally wear my seatbelt and i've got a helment allready but since i've not got a bike, the other gear can wait. but i feel if they can make seatbelts mandatory because they save lives, EVERY state should have a mandatory helment law. and i don't think the "peanut" style helments should even be on our shelves anymore. things are a bit more dangerous on the road for bikes now then they were years ago.  as for officers, they are civil servants. their job is to serve and protect. you can't protect very well if you can't even protect yourself. lead my example.

[yamahonkawazuki]

agreed, but look at it this way as well, theyve got to be mobile. i.e. theve got to be able to  chase a suspect, on foot. fulll leathers might not be always practical, protective definately tho.

[asobi]

.... I mean Ponch' isn't going to have a leg to stand on giving advice to some squidly McSquiderson

this has replaced "squidward" in my repertoire of snappy comebacks

agreed, but look at it this way as well, theyve got to be mobile. i.e. theve got to be able to  chase a suspect, on foot. fulll leathers might not be always practical, protective definately tho.

Textiles in the summer, leathers in the winter (maybe just leather jacket).  You can buy gear that's mobile, it just costs more.