I met of few Blue Knight members this past weekend after a friend asked me to tag along on a ride. He's retired and thinking about joining them.

After all the posts about MCs and the controversial LEMCs I wasn't going to pass up meeting some of these guys to see what they are all about. Here is what I learned about them and myself.

They are proud people. Very proud of their profession, and their club. They had their three patch colors displayed on the back of either a light blue vests or cut off jean jacket. On the front they had their current Department patch on their right chest.

They were aware of some recent national threats toward LEMCs stemming from the Sturgis incident and another recent shooting in Virginia. They had no intention of not wearing their colors on rides because of these threats.

So while I was riding, stuck in the middle of the pack I got to thinking....I do that occasionally. First I was thinking how bored I was stuck in the middle of a group, trapped like a rat and couldn't escape. Well, I could have but I didn't want to abandon my friend who seemed to be enjoying himself.

Then I got to thinking about their colors, especially the uniform patches on the front of their vests. I was thinking, if I wanted people to know I was a cop and what Dept I worked for, why not just wear the entire uniform? After all, I'd have a radio to call for help, extra mags, taser, ASP baton, handcuffs etc. Why would a off duty cop want people around him to know he was an off duty cop on a bike?

I can't speak for the guys I rode with. I certainly can't speak for Blue Knights as a whole. For me and ME ONLY, wearing my Dept Patch while off duty is like screaming to the public I meet...LOOK AT ME DAMIT...I'M A COP AND YOU'RE NOT!!!

I guess I shouldn't feel like that. Maybe I should be more proud of my profession. I keep hearing Doc Holiday in the movide Wyatt Earp asking if he was ashamed to be a law man for not wearing his badge.

Am I wrong for thinking like this?

 

My thoughts... On and off duty I am ALWAYS armed. Off duty, however the gun and badge are concealed and NO clothing relates me to my proffession. While riding my gun is exposed given in an "oh crap" situation I want to be able draw when needed. I don't want to have to scramble with my shirt, jacket or vest to get to what I need. Other than that, nobody needs to know I'm a cop unless I deem the situation neccessary.

 

isn't that the point of any patch , especially a 3 piece patch ? to let everyone know who you are and you're proud of it ?

 

It's all about geography I guess. Some places would be too dangerous to ride with any colors much less LE colors. I've been in the LE business for a long time and one thing I've learned over the years is to turn it off when I get home. Besides, It's only so much shop talk I can take anyway! I like riding my harley, watching football, spending time with my family and relaxing on my days off. But that's just me, so I say to each its own!

Any profession you chose, you should be proud of and not worry about what others in society think. You're right, I'm sure the blue knights are very proud professionals that love to ride and show off their pride! But I'm also certain that they are very aware of their surroundings and would'nt care two bits about what others think, including you and I! My two s!

 

Well, this thread should get really "good" in one big hurry!

 

Settle down Francess! I also ride armed and I can assure you that you can ride with your weapon concealed and have it available in an "oh crap" situation. You just have to have the right equipment.

 

It is a club thing. Would these guys wear their local dept. patch at the mall with the wife off the bike?,no they wouldn't. But, while riding with their brothers in a club, yes ,and most certainly. I was a member of the Reguladores LE/MC down in Texas. They are now nation wide. They wear their colors everywhere while riding. No different than their local LE patch.

 

I'm proud of what I do and display it on my bike. No 3 piece patch for me at this time though.

 

Thanks Nancy. After 26 years of LE I never thought of it that way. Thanks for enlightening me. I won't let it happen again.

 

Spoken like a true blue! I like you already!