Just curious and thought someone on the forum would know

[Bostonshouse]

Why do motorcycle officers wear open face helmets and not full face? I would think that the guy peeking in my car to make sure that I am wearing my seatbelt would know the value of full protection. I have great respect for LEO's and know that they have all seen plenty of mc accidents which leads me to believe that they are not allowed to wear proper protection.

[ariwhiteboy]

Ease of communication is the general consensus I believe...we've discussed it before but I can't find the thread. 

[JB1290]

Probably because it is easier to interact with people wearing an open faced helmet than a FF.

Just a guess.

[Bostonshouse]

I searched for a bit as well because I thought maybe this group would have discussed this before. I did some searching on-line and found a LEO forum discussion where they are being told that FF helmets are too intimidating.

[JB1290]

I searched for a bit as well because I thought maybe this group would have discussed this before. I did some searching on-line and found a LEO forum discussion where they are being told that FF helmets are too intimidating.

I think that makes more sense.

Back when I was a Corrections Officer, the department didn't want us wearing black leather or neoprene gloves because the brass said it made us look like "street ninjas". 

I don't know about any of you but, I've never seen a street ninja nor do I know what one looks like or if they really exist.

Of course...if there was such a thing as a street ninja, I would hope they were good enough to not be seen. 

[Bumblebee]

From a law enforcement point of view, what they're doing is sensible. Have you ever tried to run after a scampering hooligan jumping fences for half a mile in ATGATT? I haven't however it's probably near impossible.

From a faceplant point of view, it's idiotic in the extreme. Their lack of gear is a guaranteed ride in the owie wagon with lots of unnecessary completely avoidable injury during a real crash. They depend on not crashing to avoid injury.

There is just something a bit odd and uncomfortable about pulling up to a traffic light next to a couple motorcycle police officers. It's like standing in line for tickets at a broadway class theatre show in nice clothes while the person next to you is starkers naked. It's just not right.

FF helmets are too intimidating.

IMO, the public needs to be intimidated a bit more nowadays. If they don't want to be intimidated, they shouldn't be doing stupid things that result in getting pulled over. I say give the police stormtrooper style motorcycle helmets.

[Bostonshouse]

I say give the police stormtrooper style motorcycle helmets.

I am with you Bee. If communication is the issue, then I would say that modular helmets  would be the way to go. FF helmets are no more intimidating IMO than the Bat Belt of weapons or the shotgun holster mounted to the bikes.

On another note, what got me thinking about this was an apparent motor officer rally at my local McDonalds. There were at least 25 bikes there. A few were newer Hondas but most were brand new BMWs. It is the first time I have seen a modern BMW police bike. Phoenix must be doing OK money wise!

[Bumblebee]

BMW police motorcycles are common all over the place and have been in use for years.

[Option13]

IMO, the public needs to be intimidated a bit more nowadays. If they don't want to be intimidated, they shouldn't be doing stupid things that result in getting pulled over. I say give the police stormtrooper style motorcycle helmets.

I'll take my officers as friendly, non-intimidating men and women what don't look like their looking for any reason to arrest me, thanks. Are you saying that a police officer can simultaneously look like the Waffen-SS, and your friendly local officer, to two different people at the same time? Or am I missing something?

I find it difficult to understand the viewpoint that a police officer's presence should be intimidating to someone who isn't doing anything wrong. If anything, police are becoming far more aggressive of late. Ask any protester at any of the Occupy _____ protests how they feel about police behavior. Protect and Serve is the motto, not intimidate and attack.


[/threadjack and violation of TOS]

[LOKi]

I don't know about any of you but, I've never seen a street ninja nor do I know what one looks like or if they really exist.

They are EVERYWHERE but being ninja's you just don't see them. There's probably one in the room with you now.

[Munkey]

 There's probably one in the room with you now.

Tha would be a house ninja not a street ninja. Although they aren't really all that different.

[Bostonshouse]

Classic wisdom " Don't go Ninjin someone who dont need Ninjin"

[JB1290]

I don't know about any of you but, I've never seen a street ninja nor do I know what one looks like or if they really exist.

They are EVERYWHERE but being ninja's you just don't see them. There's probably one in the room with you now.

Thanks, LOKI! Now I'm freaking out!!!   

[hppants]

Classic wisdom " Don't go Ninjin someone who dont need Ninjin

Happy Birthday, Bostonhouse.