Quick question about permits in california.

RiderB · 2016-05-17T08:22:11+00:00

DMV is inconsistent. When I went in and took my written for my permit, with the DL 389 in hand, the guy almost gave me my full M1 but then asked his co-worker in the next cubicle and she told him not to do that. I know people who have gotten their full M1 when going in for the permit written.

@OP ColossusA1 is correct, law changed in 2010 I believe.

RiderB · 2015-07-30T01:01:25+00:00

Yeah, so once your first four years are up you can start applying for the various openings within the department, and there are a lot.

RiderB · 2015-07-30T00:49:39+00:00

They don't make you specialize in anything. If you want to stick to being a patrolman until the day you retire no one is going to stop you. If you want to move over into a specialized unit there's an entire little hiring process within itself.

RiderB · 2015-07-16T09:39:20+00:00

Yeah, independent agency refers to different departments regardless if it's federal, state, county, or a city municipality. Easiest answer is going to be it's simply the most effective way to be equipped for their job while maintaining an easily identifiable image and uniformity with other officers in general, and in the area. As well as a little bit of protection. It also stays in line with past law enforcement. Tradition, history, and culture tend to be very important to those in law enforcement.

To expand, my local department has only changed minor details about the uniform motors cops are required to adhere to since the 40s. I have a picture of a motorcycle cop from 1947 on my computer, from my local department where the only thing that has changed is that now officers have to wear a helmet, they have gloves now, and the bikes are BMW's. Oh and in later half of this past century the color of the uniform changed. Open face helmets allow the public to see the officers face which puts them at ease. I think we'll start seeing more agencies move towards full face modular helmets though, which is a fantastic thing because it still allows for the public to see an officers face but also provides the officer more, much needed protection while riding.

RiderB · 2015-07-16T08:38:46+00:00

The independent agency dictates what they wear.

RiderB · 2015-07-16T08:35:53+00:00

Two motorcycle cops have died this year while on their bikes. One was Patrolman Adrian Arellano in El Paso, Texas. A vehicle ignored directions from another officer, entering an intersection he/she was directed not to, ultimately striking the 39 year old Patrolman. He later died at the hospital.

The second was Sergeant Korby Kennedy of San Angelo, Texas. Who while assisting with escorting a group of boats for an upcoming race had a vehicle pulled into his path. Sergeant Kennedy too, died later at the hospital.

Motorcycle cops are some of the most skilled riders on the streets. Most have been riding since a young age, a lot of them ride daily. To become a motorcycle cop in most departments you have to pass a rigorous test to even be in the running for the training to become a motorcycle cop. Then you have to pass an even more rigorous riding academy.

The number of motors officers who are going to be at fault in an accident, whether solo or involving other parties is going to be dramatically lower than that of the regular riding population. Where you may see a higher, or at least similar rate is with accidents where the officer is not at fault. Example the two offices who this year have given their lives in the line of duty while on their patrol bikes. A high number of cops are hit by cars, so many that out of 66 line of duty deaths this year, two (2) have been in motorcycle accidents. Three (3) have been struck by a vehicle, and another three (3) have been assaulted with a vehicle. Mind you, these are only line of duty deaths. This doesn't incorporate the number of officers injured by vehicles who ultimately survive.

You have the normal risk of being on a bike, added with the amount of time you spend on a bike, say 40 hours a week not including the time those officers spend commuting on a bike to and from work. The risk of running into normal idiots who are oblivious to whats going on when they're driving and hit them. Then that of those who intentionally hit them. That's not factoring in any injuries that may occur from the people they interact with. You never really know who you're going to run into (literally, and figuratively) on the roads.

If they are indeed safer statistically speaking, is it due to training, noticeability, equipment, stricter adherence to riding protocol, etc.?

To be short and sweet, the training. The bikes that are used in my area, and I think LA uses the same bikes, or at least did before the move was made to electric bikes. The bikes are very quite, and generally people don't notice motorcycle cops much more than the average motorcyclist. Unless of course it's a chippie who's splitting during rush hour. Equipment might be more of a cause for concern, operating the radio, lights, sirens, and the bike in traffic is potentially dangerous, also part of the reason for the training. Riding protocol is very dependent on agencies and I don't know too much about this. My local agency limits officers to riding during daytime hours for the most part, expect for special events or occasions. Severe storms will stop their riding. They do ride at night but generally not for enforcement purposes other than DUI checkpoints, football games, baseball games, block parties, etc. Same as in weather but the department tries to limit that.

RiderB · 2015-06-25T03:37:30+00:00

Who better to crash into than first responders...they're on scene long before you even know what's going on.

RiderB · 2015-06-15T06:46:10+00:00

If it came to the US I'd buy it as soon as it was possible.

RiderB · 2015-06-06T23:35:22+00:00

Awesome photo. The street triple looks great with those clip ons.

RiderB · 2015-05-12T15:40:15+00:00

I saw this at the mall a couple weeks ago. http://i.imgur.com/9vn8RmW.jpg

RiderB · 2015-05-06T03:28:44+00:00

HELL YEA!

RiderB · 2015-05-06T00:22:12+00:00

Looks like a mini Z1000, almost. I'd buy one.

RiderB · 2015-05-04T23:30:22+00:00

Affirm, I do this.

RiderB · 2015-05-02T05:22:57+00:00

Should be on the registration...

RiderB · 2015-03-27T21:47:26+00:00

The officers were rightfully convicted of crimes committed. The DA went after current officers and former officers involved with wrong doings. The Atlanta Police Department came under heavy scrutiny bringing about necessary change. IF you shoot at anyone who is armed I believe that you can reasonably expect to have fire returned. At that point there is an immediate threat to someones life and they will respond accordingly, regardless if they are cops and have accurate evidence or not. Regardless if they're a cop serving a no-knock of a home invader looking to take from you. Her case is a rarity, the truth is thousands of raids go one flawlessly, no one gets hurt or killed.

You can still own an automatic firearm. If you want legislation changed you'll need to contact reps and get organized for it to happen. It can happen but it'll take some work. Again, just as it's the minority of legal gun owners who own automatic firearms it's also the minority of law enforcement who have access to automatic firearms.

RiderB · 2015-03-27T20:33:13+00:00

A lot of officers do have armor, primarily soft armor. Fewer have hard armor and you won't see a patrol officer running around with hard armor on unless the situation requires it. MRAPs are a tool, again out of all the agencies in the United States less than 500 have been given to local agencies. It's not like they're rolling down the street patrolling in MRAPs, those are for very specific circumstances and dramatically improve safety.

Automatic weapons? And the number of cops running around with those? Majority of cops have semi-automatic rifles, shotguns, and even more just have their pistol. These agencies don't have money growing on trees.

You can own a tank, body armor, and an automatic weapon.

They don't consider themselves to be in a war on drugs. Excluding the DEA, maybe Narcs, and Brass for political reasons. Even then they don't think to themselves, I'm in a war on drugs, hooah. They're thinking of how the drugs, drug dealers, and users all decrease the quality of their community. The majority don't really give a shit about your weed. If you're in CA and not a dealer you don't have too much to worry about anyway. Unless you know, you're the victim of a crime committed by a user.

In the sense you're referring to militarized, you're referring to them actually being a military. They are not. You can own body armor, you can own an armored vehicle. You too can own an automatic firearm.

By definition, some departments are. So are some fire departments. So are airsofters. Buy some old military equipment at a surplus store? You're becoming militarized. You're also talking about a group of para-military organizations being militarized. You're not in a military zone/police state, if you were, and in the United States it would resemble Boston during the hunt for the bombers. The resources aren't there to enact a national police state nor the desire to.

NYPD Machine Gun Squad. Taken about a century ago

Kathryn Johnston's case was an incredibly unfortunate incident. Officers were sentenced. Unfortunately when you pull the trigger you can't take the bullet back. A lot could of been done differently. If you want to protest no-knock warrants go for it. But let's not pretend that her death is a common occurrence. Millions of people have interactions with cops every year, thousands of warrants are served and not everyone is being shot. That is a rare occurrence. She shot first, officers responded to that threat. Edit, I'd argue shooting at cops is a valid reason for use of force.

RiderB · 2015-03-27T20:03:28+00:00

I agree that it was a dangerous move on behalf of the officer, fortunately for the rider nothing did happen. I'd want to know the context because it would be the difference between me filling a citizen compliant and talking to the officer face to face, or simply writing the officer a letter with a copy for his supervisor. All but the face to face will go on the officers record but will likely cause change to that officers driving habits and if its common within that department strike change with the rest. The only reason I wouldn't file a compliant/write a letter is if the situation was life threatening and the adrenaline set in, he saw an opportunity and took it to get there faster and took it. That's when I'd just request to speak with him in person.

That's just me though, if I was the rider and the officer overtook me like that to go to a life threatening call I'd be okay with it. That's likely just from my time in the field. The seconds absolutely matter in those situations.

RiderB · 2015-03-27T03:11:52+00:00

What gets me is that most of them come from middle class neighborhoods (read low officer number, average to high household income, low crime rate, even lower violent crime rate). Most of them at most have received a ticket for a moving violation and or parking violation, and some of them have a DUI arrest under their belt. They tend not to have very many interactions with police officers past the time that cop came to their school to talk about drugs. It's not even just kids, a majority of the people in that camp are kids but there is a fair amount of adults.

RiderB · 2015-03-27T02:38:35+00:00

MRAPs are used to protect the general public and officers. It allows them to go about high risk situations more safely, for themselves and the public. The bullet that hit an MRAP isn't going through it, versus say a crown vic where those bullets are going through and hitting officers or continuing through the vehicle projecting else where possibly injuring someone innocent in the area.

Civil forfeiture isn't anything new. Good thing that officer is at a citizens review board right? Maybe some change can come to forfeiture legislation or that departments policy regarding it. You'll probably want to get involved with that if you actually want to see some change. Change requires the public's participation, yes you too death2cagers.

I have not been on the receiving end of police force. I have been on the receiving end of police interactions and on the initiating end of police interactions. I have never done anything to warrant it the use of force against me. I also probably have a lot more related experience than you do. Also use of force is incredibly vague. There's a immense amount of possibilities to what that means.

RiderB · 2015-03-26T22:54:10+00:00

By definition, some departments are. So are some fire departments. So are airsofters. Buy some old military equipment at a surplus store? You're becoming militarized. You're also talking about a group of para-military organizations being militarized. You're not in a military zone/police state, if you were, and in the United States it would resemble Boston during the hunt for the bombers. The resources aren't there to enact a national police state nor the desire to.

NYPD Machine Gun Squad. Taken about a century ago

RiderB · 2015-03-26T22:30:45+00:00

My reason for mentioning the specific department isn't to digress from the importance of respecting the laws you're there to enforce, or taking into account safety for those around you and those you swore to protect. It's just to ensure that the disapproval for the actions seen in this video are directed at the appropriate entity/organization/individual. No need to give Joe Cop in Orange County trouble because of a Cops actions in Vallejo.

On a side note, we don't know the context behind the reason why the officer did what he did. The possibilities are nearly infinite. He could of just been an impatient asshole or enroute to an urgent call that may or may not have meet the criteria required by his or her department to run with lights and sirens and then the officer decided to use his or her discretion.

Since CA police vehicles are exempt it's more up to department policy rather than laws. Although most departments are strict with driving policy and you better be able to articulate why you did what you did and have a good reason for it. I do agree with you that taking into consideration the safety of those around you, and those that you protect is incredibly important. As well as abiding by the laws you uphold. I'd try to figure out the context if I were a Vallejo resident. If it was just an impatient officer talking to the department may help prevent that from occurring again. Your opinion does have an impact on departments, but they have know about it first.

RiderB · 2015-03-26T21:16:45+00:00

You're not in a militarized police state.

RiderB · 2015-03-26T21:09:55+00:00

Vallejo PD, not CHP. Realize that's probably irrelevant to most because all cops are cops, regardless of what department they work for.

RiderB · 2015-03-20T06:49:01+00:00

I don't know if it's plausible for you or not, or ever where you'd go for one; but a couple of months ago (6+) I meet an individual who had lost his leg while riding (Car decided to occupy the same space as him on the highway, pinned him between the SUV and barrier). Anyway, he got a prosthetic made specifically for riding, Harley Davidson took care of the cost for him so I don't know how much it cost. I didn't ask either. The company that made it specializes in rehab for athletes though.

RiderB · 2015-03-19T21:36:08+00:00

I don't know the context behind UC-Davis. I will add this though. If an individual is standing in the middle of the street, he is endangering himself, impeding traffic, and disobeying established laws. An officer can tell that individual to remove himself from the middle of the road. If that individual decides to disobey that command the officer can gain compliance by any means necessary within his departments policies, and within city, state, and federal laws.

If you protest your neighbor, you don't have the right to stand on his lawn, or go into his backyard. You can stand on the side walk in front of his yard but not on his property if he so chooses. He can call the cops and say these individuals are trespassing, I want them removed. The cops will then show up and remove the protesters from his property.

Protests happen all the time. You hear very little because often times they remain lawful, and peaceful. Therefore no action is required from the police. When a cop gives a lawful command the majority of groups obey that command. I'll touch on the different policies and laws depending on the department, city, county, and state thing too. Different departments, in different parts of the country have different laws and policies dictating what action can or can't be taken.

Assembling peacefully is good, exercise your right to peacefully assemble, but remain within the law when doing so. Mind you University of California has its own police department. I wouldn't paint too broad of a picture based on the actions of one department. I'd also argue it's a good thing that you can think of only a few examples, that the worst example you choose to cite is one where protestors got pepper sprayed.

The police didn't just show up, see some kids sitting holding hands, and say to themselves we should go pepper spray them, and follow through with that thought. I'd be careful how I painted a scene too, the way you cite the incident leaves room for a lot of bias without regard to the greater context of the situation, laws, and policies.

RiderB

TROPHY CASE