I just hung up my duty belt about 45 minutes ago to answer your first question.

Dope is considered personal property where I work. Our evidence sheet asks the question "Who does the seized property belong to?" wherein we put the suspect's name. The dope is then logged as evidence being the personal property of said suspect.

People that don't know their rights make a crooked cop's job easier but not an honest cop's job any easier.

We are most likely in different cities, counties, and states meaning the law where I enforce it may be totally different than where you work.

And I'm not debating anything. I'm not arguing what the law may require where you live because I have no clue what it is. I'm saying it's ridiculous to compare taking tires that aren't DOT approved off a car and logging them into evidence to seizing a helmet that can simply be put into an evidence locker.

Rum and coke time. Have fun and be safe.

 

O.K. Fair enough.

So do you guys ever give this personal property dope back to anyone?

I'm am putting on my duty belt right now. Gotta run.

 

right on XXX

i had to laugh at mx stating dope is personal property .. WTF

I am not a LEO nor do I care much for most of them.( not trying to flame anyone)BUT that being said i get ya all got a job todo and it sounds as if xxx has the right frame of mind on this and you dont seem like a LEO that just messes with some one to mess with some one.

I live in MI and we got all kinds of stuff going on right know with the helmet law ( might have a pay to not wear soon )

I got popped for a non DOT a few days ago and the first thing the cop said was let me see your helmet . so i gave it to him . he said is this dot ? I said as far as i know . he said i am going to right you up for a ton of violations if you get smart again son .(WHAT) I said ok but do you happen to have a list of every helmet that is dot . he said i dont have to supply it . OK . so he gave me the ticket Only the helmet one . Since your a vet I am going to let the rest slide ... what ever .....


any way took the ticket to court . told the judge my story and he asked the LEO did you refuse him a list on DOT helmets .

he said we dont have one .... Judge told me to have a nice day .

NO FINE

Slinger .

 

I myself just hung up the duty belt about 45 mins ago and here is my answer. I have 3 Biltwell's (non DOT) and an ACC DOT half helmet. I am assuming the risk for my head and dont put that on anyone else. Can I ask you to remove your helmet, yes. Do you have to take it off, probably not. HOWEVER, after 15 years ive decided to work smarter and not harder. So here's my scenario;

1) Legitimate traffic stop (moving violation....not pipes or apes that would be hypocritical)
2) "Is your helmet DOT approved if so would you care to show me"(thisof course depends on whether my ***** have been busted or not)......"no, ok i'll be right with you"
3) "here is your citation for (moving violation) and defective equipment (non DOT compliant helmet) If you wish to fight this the procedure is clearly outlined on the back of the citation....drive safely"

If someone pushes im going to push back, like mentioned before I could give a crap about whether or not someone else wants to take their life into their own hands. Never once hassled anyone about DOT helmets. The above scenario has NEVER occured but im not going to fight with someone over a freakin helmet. If I did the above it would then be on you (violator) to prove that it is complaint.....you'll go out of your way to show anyone who'll listen if it is compliant and pay the ticket if it aint. I listen to people all the time talk about how they "beat" the ticket or the like. But the reality is you didnt because you had to alter the way you do business (take day off of work or school, drive to the court house, find a parking spot etc) Talk about a complete waste of time...thats three hrs. of your life youll never get back, could have been riding. Every cop is different to a degree and have certain things that frost their ***. For me its cowards who beat up on women and kids but thats another discussion.

Truth of the matter is its about respect (that goes both ways) Ive cut guys loose with weed etc. if they were a gentleman about it. We are all human beings and we all make mistakes but the biggest issue in my mind is how we interact with each other. Courtesy and discretion are the biggest parts of my job and they go along way but I expect the same in return. Accountablilty and responsibility are another, if I wear a non DOT (cop or not) and I get pinched for it, I cant get pissed at someone else because they called me on it. Those laws (helmets, DOT etc) are for the 16 yr old kid who thinks he knows everything and that he can handle doing 100 mph or whatever. Whether we like it or not common sense is not wide spread and our society feels it necessary to try and mandate it. Unfortunately, many of us suffer in return but to what extent depends on the individual.

 

ok i know you asked this to the cops out there i asked my lawyer this very question he told donot take the helmet off what ever you do because if it is a novelty the officer has the right to sieze it but in ontario he can not force you to take it off

 

I am a cop with LAPD, and I can tell you in my short two years on the job I have never stopped someone for something stupid like this, or even considered it. Like most guys would agree who work with me, if you want to risk your life wearing a non DOT helmet then more power to you. I myself wear a novilty helmet so why would I stop someone else.

If I wanted to check your helmet, I would ask. If you refused, I would cite you and if you wanted to argue there is a cite date at the bottom of the ticket were you can defend yourself in court. Doesnt pay to try and out smart the cop, I can tell you in 99% of cases you wont win. There is always something out there you can be cited for. You just have to ask yourself, is it really worth having the last word. If the officer is rude, suck it up and make the complaint if it makes you feel better. Dont argue with him and try to be the wise guy.....you just wont win.

On a side note, I drive a bran new Ford super duty with limo tinted windows and no front plate. I personally again would never cite for either of those sections. If I did, IMO that wouldn't be right. I am a way relaxed guy who works in LA where the crime is through the roof. The last thing I am looking for, is to ruin some ones day and cite them.



Nick

 

Muddy and chili

I got to say i wish there were LEOs like you all in my area

i think muddy said it best something to the effect of . I have child beaters and such to take care of .

well put . it is a persons choice to take the risk with thier own safty . and I am happy to see some leos relize that .

reading the last few post from you LEOs i have began to see there are some good ones out there .


i guess i just have had bad times with the ones around here


but I am always respectful to the leos when i get stoped .

so just wahted to say to the real biker cops be safe out there .


Slinger

 

[sm=icon_cheers.gif]

 

If it makes you feel any better......... I hate CHP (Cant Handle Police work A.K.A. +AAA with a badge) . Those guy show no one any sort of love. Think about it though, they are traffic enforcement officers. They dont respond to your typical 911 calls or investigate crimes, they enforce the vehicle code violations. Pretty boring job if you ask me...... but hey someone has to do it.

Nick

 

I just dont get it . if it is the state law that a dot helmet is required why buy a novelty helmet ?
if you have to have something on your head then why not something that offers some protection?