ORIGINAL: Muddyape

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.

ORIGINAL: 2002fxdp

this is crazy: whatever cop pulls you over is is determining the law.
absolute BS.
just another example of cops exerting their will on the public