Motorcycle Cops - Why no ATGATT?

[Chocaholic]

Noticed a cycle cop today riding in uniform, half helmet, boots, short sleeve shirt, no gloves, regular uniform pants, no gear. As I think about it, I can't recall ever seeing a cop in full gear, much less a full face helmet.

You'd think that well trained cops would take safety precautions. Seems with their mileage, animals and distracted drivers would pose quite a threat. What gives?

[Fast Freddy 944]

The officers I see are usually radar users, and they stay put until a speeder passes by. Its not like Panch and John on Chips. Cool show btw!

[speeder]

They are always in full police MC gear here, boots/jacket/gloves/etc. The CHP for some reason does not use full face helmets, most agencies use flip-up or modular helmets so that the cop can talk to people w/o having to remove the helmet.

[vash]

ATGATT? trying to work at acronym out..help?

[Tobra]

All The Gear, All The Time

I have never seen a CHP motorcycle officer wearing a jacket and gloves and I have been driving in California a very long time.

[LakeCleElum]

I was talking to old guy (late 80's) that was retired CHP. I asked him for any tip he would give a younger motor Officer. He said:

When you chase someone, put your hat on backwards or it will blow off.

He got a blank look when I said Motor Cops wear helmets these days......

Another interesting bit he shared: When he took a driver to jail, he couldn't transport on his motorcycle and had no radio to call a car. So, said he had the driver drive themselves to jail while he stood on the running board with a gun to their head. After, booking, he would get a patrol car to give him a ride back to his motor.....Interesting stories for sure...

[jyl]

The motor officers in Oregon wear full gear.

[LakeCleElum]

More common in the old days before the new Mesh gear.........I did over 10 years on Motors....Always wore full breeches and boots......Summer, it was either a 20 lb leather jacket or uniform shirt/gloves......My few crashes ended abruptly and didn't really matter....A lot of time was spent stopped with radar gun....Then redline thru the gears to triple digits to catch up and then take a deep breath......You would have to live 40+ hrs a week to understand.

[Yorkie]

To reduce the cannon fodder in the U.K. We 16 year olds were taught to ride our bikes by motorcycle cops and to this day I have huge respect for the way you guys can throw a bike around. I now live in LA and see local bike cops wield a BMW like a trails bike. Much respect.

[MMARSH]

12 years for me.....

[scottmandue]

So... as long as we have several of you here, what did you MC police think of the old CHiPs TV show?

And they are coming out with a movie:

CHIPS – Official Movie Site – In theaters March 24, 2017

[LakeCleElum]

Chips - Kinda realistic except: Weather was always a lot better than the Seattle area rain I rode in, and you don't ride down the freeway having a normal conversation with your partner.

"Erik" Estrada now has a "Ponch" of his own. He joined our Int'l MC club that has over 18,000 members in 26 countries.....Joined as an "honorary member'......Now he wants his big fee to appear at charity events........Doesn't look like a long term situation at this point?

[RKDinOKC]

Saw a motorcycle on the highway today. The rider was wearing full leathers, boots, jacket, pants, gloves, and sunglasses but with no helmet. Struck me as odd looking being all suited up without a helmet. Especially since his head was shaved.

[WPOZZZ]

Here's how my local bike cops ride.

[Brando]

Reading through this, I still don't see many, if any, cops wearing full gear. I work right by the sheriff's office and see them ride past regularly with just a helmet and gloves for gear. No jacket, no pants, not even the bullet-resistant vest. And here on my short ride to work i'll still wear a lot of gear.