Motor Officer Helmets

[Bill_Walker]

I saw a Motor Officer yesterday (SD Co. Sheriff) with a car pulled over, and the Officer was wearing a flip-up helmet (in the usual Motor gold)! Yay for some progress in LEO safety! Of course, the rest of his gear was still the standard issue short-sleeve shirt, breeches and riding boots. You never know when you might have to jump on a horse, eh?

[swilson]

They've been optional for about 3 years for our agency now. We're seeing more and more west coast agencies allowing them. I've been wearing mine for about a year... only use the open face in extremely hot temps or parades now.

[FLTRI]

We are issued two helmets, the Seer half helmets, and an Arai 3/4 helmet. We've asked for some full face helmets, but upper management wont even discuss it.

 

The issue is public perception, they want the citizens to be able to see our face. They view full face helmets, even flip-ups, as "too aggressive looking". For the same reason, we are not allowed to wear balaclavas(sp?) when dealing with the public in the winter, regardless of how cold it gets...

 

FWIW, the wool britches we are issued are pretty heavy, and do an excellent job of reducing road rash. The cotton/poly shirts, not so much...

 

On the plus side, we were issued Olympia Motorsport vented jackets a few years ago. They are an excellent mesh jacket with elbow, spine and shoulder armor. With the liner removed, they can be worn up to about 75 degrees comfortably...

[BeemerLover]

I can appreciate the attitude of "upper management." Perception is reality and, in my mind anyway, I can see where an officer with "open" body language (and the ability to see the face) will be perceived more positively than one without.

[FLTRI]

Yeah, and knowing some of the comedians I work with, I can see them leaving the flip down, and in best Darth Vadar voice replying, "I am you father, Luke" when asked for their badge number...

[upflying]

Model S1607 works just fine for me. If I crash bad enough to damage my face, I am "end of watch" anyway.

http://www.superseer.com/helmet_motorcycle.asp

[Silver Surfer/AKAButters]

can be worn up to about 75 degrees comfortably...

 

I wear mine upt to about 105 on a regular basis. Okay, so not so comfortable, but doable.

[Bill_Walker]

Model S1607 works just fine for me. If I crash bad enough to damage my face, I am "end of watch" anyway.

http://www.superseer.com/helmet_motorcycle.asp

 

Bob, I'm guessing you haven't seen the stats showing 35% of crash impacts occur in the chin/cheek/face area ... or you just don't care... or you're in the "I wasn't planning to crash" camp. A flip-up helmet could save your face in an otherwise-survivable crash.

 

On the perception issue, I guess it's a question of which portion of the public you're talking about. I would think a "Darth Vader"-like look would be very intimidating to the bad guys, but of course might lead the good guys to view you as less human. But a simple flip of the chinbar and you're human again. And what about leadership by example?

[PLW]

I think one of the biggest issues with motor cops and full face helmets is one I've never seen discussed and has nothing to do with on-bike safety. In a fight, the chin bar is a very convenient grab handle and could reult in a serious neck injury. Consider that one of the biggest [if not the biggest] penalties in the NFL involves grabbing helmets and neck injuries are the reason why.

 

[Jake]

Woe be to the unpadded, unhelmeted civilian that grabs a chinbar of any LEO that I know.

 

Or better stated by Tommy Roe: "Never pick a fight with a guy wearing an Aerostich, unless you are wearing one yourself."

 

I'm fairly certain that it is a public image vs. safety issue.

[lvnvbiker]

From what I understand NHP is going to follow suit with North Las Vegas in allowing the Shoei flip helmet. I was talking to a NLV motor the other day and he likes having the extra protection and he was mentioning a friend of his thats with Metro saying that they'll get modular lids and beemers about the time hell freezes over due to the top offices.

[swmckinley]

Actually here in Austin Town most of the motor guys are wearing flips.

[upflying]

Model S1607 works just fine for me. If I crash bad enough to damage my face, I am "end of watch" anyway.

http://www.superseer.com/helmet_motorcycle.asp

 

Bob, I'm guessing you haven't seen the stats showing 35% of crash impacts occur in the chin/cheek/face area ... or you just don't care... or you're in the "I wasn't planning to crash" camp. A flip-up helmet could save your face in an otherwise-survivable crash.

 

On the perception issue, I guess it's a question of which portion of the public you're talking about. I would think a "Darth Vader"-like look would be very intimidating to the bad guys, but of course might lead the good guys to view you as less human. But a simple flip of the chinbar and you're human again. And what about leadership by example?

I'm not naive enough to think I won't crash or that a chin bar will save some facial injury. What I implied is if I was involved in a crash significant enough to injure my face, facial injuries would probably be the least of my trouble, if I am still alive to worry about it.

There is a trend to full face and/or flip up helmets in law enforcement. The trend hasn't moved here yet but it is just a matter of time before it does. What a motor officer wears is governed by the rules and regulations of the agency the officer employed by. There are no exceptions until the people with bars and stars on their collars make a change.

Much is involved in making such a change. Politics, comfort, tradition, public perception, communication, radio hardware, risk management, cost, loss of officer, officer safety, disability benefits, workman's compensation laws and insurance are some of the issues I can think of.

It ain't as easy as going out and buying a flip-up helmet and calling it good.

[DaveTX]

Since the thread highlights modular flip up helmets for Motor Officers, anyone know what brands they tend to favor ?

 

I saw pictures of some really nice looking flip up helmets in the traditional black and white colors worn by Albuquerque NM Motor Officers on their BMW's, but have been unable to track down the brand or model.

[bmwsit]

We are issued two helmets, the Seer half helmets, and an Arai 3/4 helmet. We've asked for some full face helmets, but upper management wont even discuss it.

 

The issue is public perception, they want the citizens to be able to see our face. They view full face helmets, even flip-ups, as "too aggressive looking". For the same reason, we are not allowed to wear balaclavas(sp?) when dealing with the public in the winter, regardless of how cold it gets...

 

Our department had reservations about full face flip ups too, as did some of the older motor officers. Was amazing how fast they were approved after a drunk pulled in front of one of them and he went face first through his windscreen (Kawi) and into the car. Body was beat up and damaged, face and head severe trauma. The 3/4 helemt just did not cut it. He suffered permament brain damage and facial disfigurement. Was medically retired against his wishes. Think he was 35. What a waste.

 

All of our guys wear modular helmets now. At first they were all Schuberth, command did not even mandate the internal visor be raised on stops. Now that Schuberth has stopped importing, think they are slowly going over to Nolans.

[marcopolo]

Around here, I have seen only one city motorcycle officer wearing a flip-up (and that was in a procession for the funeral of an RCMP officer, so I saw a lot of them). The rest wear half helmets on their Harleys, along with britches and riding boots. Seems crazy in this day and age. Europeans are way ahead of North American police forces in regard to helmets and real riding gear..

[CoarsegoldKid]

Model S1607 works just fine for me. If I crash bad enough to damage my face, I am "end of watch" anyway.

 

I used to tell everyone that laughed at my full face Bell and Preimer helmets in the early days,"it guarantees an open coffin". I hope you don't end your watch. We need you tomorrow!

[KER]

been noticing around here that a few of the motor units are wearing full face flip ups, but only some of them are, so it appears to be optional.

 

 

The only helmet that i know comes ready for LE use is the shoei multitec, and i think thats what the local PD is wearing here.

 

Shoei Multitec

[elwoodpone]

We are issued two helmets, the Seer half helmets, and an Arai 3/4 helmet. We've asked for some full face helmets, but upper management wont even discuss it.

 

The issue is public perception, they want the citizens to be able to see our face. They view full face helmets, even flip-ups, as "too aggressive looking". For the same reason, we are not allowed to wear balaclavas(sp?) when dealing with the public in the winter, regardless of how cold it gets...

 

It might be nice if your family could still see your face after an incident. Good to see upper management cares.

 

 

[BailyD]

I was looking into getting a 3/4 face for the times when the weather wasn't soooo hot! Then I started thinking about needing new communications ($350) + when I looked at the "Police" helmets I found that anything labeled "Police" automatically increases the price by 2 or 3 x's.

 

I do not work for a progressive department that has extra money to purchase multiple helmets and separate communications for each one. I just finished (I think) a MASSIVE battle just getting them to agree to let us fill our RTP's at Sunoco, rather then our municipal pump (87 octane). The questions that was brought up? How about adding Octane boost?

 

You can't BELIEVE the ignorance level of some people, especially those making decisions when they've NEVER thrown a leg over a motorcycle! Trust me when I tell you that egos will always win over logical arguments (until someone is killed, of course)!

 

As for the rest of the uniform there just is NOT that many places which work within the confines of uniformity. We need to look like the rest of the police AND be able to buy the same uniform piece three years from now when the current one wears out. Did you ever notice how the trends in MC apparel change each spring like the skinny models on the runways in NYC? We just CANNOT have multiple guys looking different. Then you get back to the FEW that do make police stuff (see first paragraph).

 

I was seriously talking about the Aerostitch (sp?) Police stuff today. I actually wrote to them to ask them about their jackets and to suggest a non 3/4 type coat (keeping the gun belt on the outside of the jacket is a PIA). I asked about putting in side zippers for the radio and gun AND how about a Navy blue???? like 3/4 of the police uniforms out there! (there is that uniform thing again!). They thanked me for the info and haven't heard anything more.

 

We get about $650 a year for ALL of our police equipment. That doesn't go very far. I envy some of the guys here who have departments where they visit their quartermaster for new stuff. Regular police polyester pants........they charge us $160!!! The department gives you the $650 and FORCES you to shop at ONE retailer who provides HIS cost for ALL of our equipment! You are shopping at the "company store".

[VinnyR11]

Model S1607 works just fine for me. If I crash bad enough to damage my face, I am "end of watch" anyway.

http://www.superseer.com/helmet_motorcycle.asp

 

Bob, I'm guessing you haven't seen the stats showing 35% of crash impacts occur in the chin/cheek/face area ... or you just don't care... or you're in the "I wasn't planning to crash" camp. A flip-up helmet could save your face in an otherwise-survivable crash.

 

On the perception issue, I guess it's a question of which portion of the public you're talking about. I would think a "Darth Vader"-like look would be very intimidating to the bad guys, but of course might lead the good guys to view you as less human. But a simple flip of the chinbar and you're human again. And what about leadership by example?

I'm not naive enough to think I won't crash or that a chin bar will save some facial injury. What I implied is if I was involved in a crash significant enough to injure my face, facial injuries would probably be the least of my trouble, if I am still alive to worry about it.....

 

Although it sounds right, that's not necessarily true. Here's only one data point, but it's the reason I switched from an open to full face many years ago. I witnessed an accident where the rider would have walked away with only a bruised ego, except for the fact that you could see his chin bone from the gash on his chin.

 

I was stopped at a light. A rider came out of a dealer and just dumped the bike at relatively low speed when trying to merge with traffic. No idea why. His back was to me and I was expecting him to just get up and walk away. He did stand up, but his chin was gushing blood. Nothing else wrong, but he had to be rushed to the hospital.

 

Bought a full face the next day.

[MAT2CHI]

I wear a Shoei Mulitec and love it. Back in the day when my father was a motorcycle officer - 1950's - he wore a hat.

 

[FLTRI]

I wear a Shoei Mulitec and love it. Back in the day when my father was a motorcycle officer - 1950's - he wore a hat.

 

 

Absolutely love that photo of your dad. Very nice...

[Bill_Walker]

I wear a Shoei Mulitec and love it. Back in the day when my father was a motorcycle officer - 1950's - he wore a hat.

 

Love the photo of your dad. I wonder how they kept their hats on at speed? [MUST... RESIST... HARLEY... DENIGRATION]

 

I recently got a Multitec (or Synchrotec? Whichever is newer) and like it, too. It's the only flip-up I've found that fits my long-oval head.

[MAT2CHI]

 

Absolutely love that photo of your dad. Very nice...

 

Thanks, he was a great guy.

 

Love the photo of your dad. I wonder how they kept their hats on at speed? [MUST... RESIST... HARLEY... DENIGRATION]

 

They rode Harleys and never reached high speed! There, I said it for you.

[simon999]

have a look around this website - they supply UK police forces with helmets with comms' built in -

 

http://www.sonic-comms.com/index2.htm

[MotorinLA]

Around So. Cal. many agencies are going to the Nolan N103LE flip-up and the new Tour Master LAPD designed jackets. Better protection is finally making its way to the U.S. (only 20 years or so behind Northern Europe).

[lvnvbiker]

I can't wait till they put you guys on gixxers or one of the other litre monster bikes! The squids will be peeing themselves and thier dreams of the "get away" runs will be dashed upon the rocks before thier brains are.

[BailyD]

Around So. Cal. many agencies are going to the Nolan N103LE flip-up and the new Tour Master LAPD designed jackets. Better protection is finally making its way to the U.S. (only 20 years or so behind Northern Europe).

 

 

Do you have any pictures/specifics/price of the LAPD jacket and is it available to other departments?

[upflying]

I can't wait till they put you guys on gixxers or one of the other litre monster bikes! The squids will be peeing themselves and thier dreams of the "get away" runs will be dashed upon the rocks before thier brains are.

Ain't gonna happen. The squids or "stunters" as we call them here don't have shyt for brains. They will run and take extreme chances motor officers never do regardless of what we ride. The performance of a 1200 RT-P, Honda ST1300 or even the lowly HD FLHP have "adequate" performance for our needs. That includes reasonable seating, comfort, storage and alternator capacity to run all the gizmo's. I don't think there is any law enforcement aftermarket support to fit a GSXR 1000 with lights, siren and radio. Pursuit policies are also very restrictive, we can't chase them even if we could. Public outcry would not support buying a sportbike for police use and the folks with bars and stars on their collars would never approve such a purchase.

Why worry about catching a squid on a Gixxer? Darwin will eventually catch them all.

[Bill_Walker]

Why worry about catching a squid on a Gixxer? Darwin will eventually catch them all.

 

And if you really feel the need to catch 'em, there's always light-speed radio.

[simon999]

i had an un-marked job bike - Honda Super blackbird !!

 

but still allowed to pursue !

[simon999]

typo error............should have read.....''not allowed to pursue''