Equipping the Better Motor Officer

I like to listen to people with experience and learn from people with experience.  Not book knowledge, not someone who watched a tutorial, but someone who has been downrange many times and teaches from what works and what doesn't.

So, it's no surprise that I find commenters amusing when they tell us as Motor Officers what equipment we should wear, or what type of motorcycle we should ride, or any number of subjects they happen to have an opinion on.  

Being police officers who enforce the law from a two-wheeled platform naturally comes with its share of compromises.   When we compare our Motor Officers load outs with our four wheeled counter parts, we notice something.  Law Enforcement has left the lowly Patrol Car in favor of the SUV because they hold more crap.  And because there's room, we fill them fuller and fuller each year.  Medical bags that rival what firefighters had in the 80s.  Tactical gear that SWAT Teams in the 90's would have dreamed of having.   Traffic cones, laptops, printers, you name it we've stuffed it into our SUV's for Patrol!

Now our poor little Motors - we have room for a few things.  We pick our loadout based on what's critical and what's common.  Starting with what's common, things like accident books and ticket books or ticket writers (e-citations).  A camera for taking crash pics.  Water to stay hydrated.   With what's critical, hopefully a long gun.  Because in a firefight the human body doesn't give a damn about your 9mm.  Sure it will stop the threat eventually.  But everyone in Law Enforcement knows everyone on Patrol needs immediate access to a long gun.  There are options out there to make it happen.  Continuing with what's critical, we need a go-bag.  Something small but still containing stuff for making holes and plugging holes.  I.e. - extra mags and quick clots, tourniquets, Israeli Bandages, etc..  We stock a great option on our website for that - I don't care where you buy it, but the Rapid Deployment Bag from US Peacekeeper is the perfect size for the Motor Officer.

Finally to what we wear.  This draws the biggest controversy.  Full Face Helmet, Modular, Half Shell.  Often times we compromise - based on a number of things.  Remember we are Police Officer's first.  Riding is just the platform we work from, so our primary focus is the job of Law Enforcement.  Can a full face helmet detract from Officer Safety with peripheral vision and hearing?  Maybe. Riding jackets and breeches.  Do they hamper mobility in a foot pursuit or a fight?  Maybe.  Heavy gloves.  Do they keep you from manipulating your firearm in a gunfight?  Possibly.  So based on your training, your experience, and your requirements to do your job as a POLICE OFFICER who happens to be on a motorcycle, equip yourself accordingly!

Ride Safe and Train Often!

Joe