Is it poor form to wave to Cops?

badbilly · 06:51 PM

Hi All,

Just had a highly decent ride to Bagdad (Az) yesterday. A bit of background. The desired route is up the infamous Yarnell Hill. Apparantly, most everyone in this half of the state knows that Officer Friendly sits, facing the uphill traffice about half-way up... and waits for guys like us on the Hill. Well, on the ride before last, I guess I missed the memo and got stopped (going 53--speed limit is 45)--but alas! he let me off with a warning!

So as I began the 3-4000-ft ascent to Yarnell, I tried something different and raised my head to look up the damn hill...and to my wondering eyes, there he was. So, as a gesture of my delight/commeradere, etc., I waved as I went by at just over 40!
Then I thought what if it was a different Office Unfriendly, and he'd construed this as poor form? Maybe he thought I was being a wise guy etc. and he'd chase us down for something else? All to no avail (thankfully) and all went well.

But anyway, prior to this, both times in the past when I waved at My Policia (and not out of malice, but as a genuine wave), he's done a U-ey and pulled me over, with one citation as a result.

Oh well, that was years ago before owning BCup.

Later, BB

Rattus · Rattus's Garage

I sometimes give a nod of acknowledgement to motorcycle cops, but I've never been acknowledged back. I wouldn't wave - it's too easy to misconstrue the action as a provocation or as an act of disrespect. It's unfortunate but I think it's the stress of their job.

arbik · 11-03-2003, 08:19 PM

I give the "V" sign to all riders, Police or not. I usually get a waive back from most cops.
As for other signs, well, depends on the locale I guess.
Around here, thumbs up means good road (no debris or cops), thumbs down means bad road, no cops (i.e. rocks/sand/etc.). Tap on the helmet means cops ahead. and of course, the universal sign of open face palm toward ground in up-down motion..means slow down....(cop or road hazard).
I try to just stick to the basic "V" to cops though (only on a bike) and have had no ill effects because of it.

Of couse, this could all be because I'm slow, and not worth chasing down

cheers!!

-arbi

motoman · motoman's Garage

Good question.

They have waved at me, but as a result of years of harassment in Calif., my reflex was not to reciprocate.

However, lately I've heard quite a few stories of bikes getting a warning. I think it's a good idea to wave at cops (IF you're not exceeding the speed limit) to promote good will toward bikers.

ejfbmw · 11-04-2003, 02:52 AM

I'm with Motoman. Waving to cops is a good thing and may promote their having good will to other bikers. I'm sure they know we are not all reckless speed freaks who put others at risk, but it can only help to reinforce it. Here in central Va. cops are decent.

JustAnotherSquid · 11-04-2003, 03:19 AM

No, cops appreciate it when you wave at them.

BLTZN1 · BLTZN1's Garage

I always wave at cops, on bikes or in cars - but obviously only when it is reasonable i.e. on a 2 lane road, not across 4 lanes on a interstate. Two reasons: one, to promote goodwill between bikes and cops, and two a thank you for looking after my interests for future needs (when/if I crash I will be glad to have them present and feeling favourable towards bikers).

Doogie Howser · 11-04-2003, 04:57 AM

Daytona Beach Police had a vehicle pulled over a couple of weeks ago. I couldn't help but honk and wave as I rode past. Got a BIG smile and a wave from him in return.

Of course....it COULD be because he was feeling mighty proud of his brand new Red R1150GS that he was pulling over unsuspecting motorists with.........

I thought the unmarked SUV cops in FL were bad. I thought the Fish and Wildlife Commission setting up SPEED TRAPS (Yes, the FWC has traffic authority) to bust workers going into Kennedy Space Center SUCKED. I'm not quite sure HOW to feel about cops on barely marked R1150GS's. I'll bet THEY'LL chase you across a divided highway.

ejfbmw · 11-04-2003, 05:08 AM

If you were a cop who would be on your *****list.

acook · 06:07 AM

They wave at me when I ride my 99 kz1000p. Must be a cop thing.

flynbmw · 11-04-2003, 07:10 AM

I wave at them when I am out on longer trips, both cars and motor officers. Most of them wave back, CHP's more than the "locals"...

Harold

tominator · 11-04-2003, 07:40 AM

I always wave to Cops. Of all the bikes I ride, the BMW if the only one worthy of their attention.

Cheers
Tomas

BWS · 11-04-2003, 12:49 PM

I wave to all of them,good form or not.I'll also give them a hardcore stare iff'n they're doin some stupid driving.I have seen LEOs strafing and its pretty obvious for no other reason than "testing".Will also give a hard look in mirror and a head gesture if some f..king idiot is on my tail while passing an oncoming cop.I feel like it is of the utmost importance to "behave" while in the small villages here in the mnts.They aren't stupid,and fully realize that(and can tell at a glance)the hardcore pegdraggers are serious lawbreakers.So I give them the respect they're due and go a touch below posted while in "their town".Now,I can rate them,seeing which ones are cool enough to acknowlege.It's about 50/50.You'll always have the cowboys,the ones who have to make a rep for themselves......but at -5(my speed)what can they do?

badbilly · 11-04-2003, 06:52 PM

Thanks all for the replys. BB

JerryTreeXprt · 11-05-2003, 03:48 PM

When I was about 15 I was travelling from NJ to Albany area, NY with my friend and his sister. His sister was driving (duh, we were only 15, but very willing to drive if someone would've been stupid enough to give us the chance). We were going at a pretty good clip up the thruway when we came upon two cops sitting in the median ahead. She slowed down and as we passed she put on her kid with her hand in the cookie jar look, smiled and waved. PHEW! we thought. A couple of miles down the road as she got back up to speed, she saw him flyin up on us and got out of the left lane. He pulled up next to us, looked over, smiled, waved and took off down the road. Lucky? Nah, my friend's sister is a hot redhead and I'm sure that didn't hurt. I'm glad he didn't pull us over just to get a better look.

eli54 · 11-05-2003, 03:57 PM

I wave, they wave back. More so CHP on Beemers.

adrianw · adrianw's Garage

Arbik said :

"I give the "V" sign to all riders, Police or not..."

Wouldn't try that over here sonny, ever since we last pasted the frogs with long bows, giving the V sign in the UK is the same as, and I may be guessing here, giving "them the bird" or is it giving them the finger...finger might be the UK translation of "bird".

Any Anglomuricans confirm this?

Adrian.

Dan Greene · 11-06-2003, 12:03 PM

Any of you folks listening to NPR yesterday on the way home from work? There was an interview with a fellow from Franklin Tenn. who was given a ticket for "interfering with a police officer in the performance of his duties". The guy saw a LEO sitting in a pull off and began flashing his lights to warn other drivers. The officer saw him. The light flasher initially plead guilty and was given a $75 fine. He thought about it, became angry and hired an attorney. End result, he was aquitted on the grounds of free speech. I have often wondered what LEO would do if they saw me doing this.

ejfbmw · 11-06-2003, 01:48 PM

True story. On my morning commute several jobs ago it was my habit to go thru a posted 25 in the city "dogleg" as fast as I could. This went on for a good while. One day, they were waiting, 3 of them. I had one behind me, one blocking the road and a third arrived after the stop. Yes I stopped, I won't run. The first and second cop were foaming at the mouth so angry and exited that they "we're just doing our job".
And all this at 5AM. The third cop arrived and asked me where I was going, I said work. He said OK, we got you at 3 times the limit, that"s a serious ticket. I said, "I can't afford another ticket, I've already got too many". I got a warning and a reminder that it was a small town and that they would not be so understanding next time. Because of that I slowed way down in the city out of respect for that cop.