Do You Cops Wave Back?

[bushwick]

The other day I was riding through town, and seen a bike comin my way, so I threw him the two finger wave. It was an officer on a Harley cruiser in uniform. But he didnt wave back, he looked at me like he was going to pull me over (HA HA) It seems like about 50% of you wave back though, thats cool. In kingman Arizona the officers on bikes wave first. Its a big bike town. Well be safe out there.

[CHIPMAKER]

I generally give the whole hand wave, they always wave back.

[lowbuckbob]

If I am on duty in uniform, I usually either nod or do the subtle wave with the fingers off the grip.

[hxturbo]

I either wave or give a knod of the head. What some people don't know, and they might interpret as being ignored, is that sometimes we are talking on the radio which requires a push on a button. This wouldn't allow us to wave as we need to concentrate and control the bike. And sometimes we are looking for someone/something and are concentrating on that.

[trooper113]

I did when possible.

[bushwick]

A buddy of mine rides with The Patriot Guard Riders, they've been doing a lot of riding lately. A lot of soldiers comin home.

[trooper113]

Originally Posted by bushwick

A buddy of mine rides with The Patriot Guard Riders, they've been doing a lot of riding lately. A lot of soldiers comin home.

We've also been doing "welcome home" missions at Ft. Hood. They're a lot more upbeat than the usual funeral missions, though I do appreciate the honor of standing a flag line or riding for Veterans.

[bushwick]

Ever since I was a little kid, I wondered if Officers had the choice to ride a bike, or drive a cruiser. Or if they were forced to ride a bike or a cruiser. An uncle of mine whom lives in New Mexico, rode a bike on duty, and I can remember him telling me that he went through some extensive vigorous training to be a bike cop. Laying it down, running into things, pickin it back up using the power of the motor, stuff like that. He was a real stand up guy, I wanted to be just like him. I didnt make it through the oral exams in the Sherrif's academy try outs, so I didnt get to be JUST like him.

[bushwick]

Originally Posted by trooper113

We've also been doing "welcome home" missions at Ft. Hood. They're a lot more upbeat than the usual funeral missions, though I do appreciate the honor of standing a flag line or riding for Veterans.

I went with them on a ride from the airport to a funeral, WOW! its a sad event but very powerful. I think it takes a certain kind of person to do that all the time, and I have full respect for everyone who does it. Much appreciated, All the way from the soldier to the family waiting for the Guard Riders bringin them home.

[Mtclassic]

I wave when possible, but like was stated some times it is not possible/safe when operating push to talk. I actually initiate the wave most of the time and more often than not the wave is returned.

[Mr Cujo]

I'm not LEO, but around here, it seems that most wave back....Nothing grand, but I get the nod, the two fingers, etc...

[histy]

Over here (France and UK) : UK (Brits) cops usually nod the head or a turn of the head as if u were winking at someone, some just stay sat up like they got a rod up the ass.
France: well we got Gendarmes/Police Nationale/Police de Ville and Douanes all out on bikes.
The French rider salute is a V held out out palm down at waist level, riders ALWAYS salute each other. The various cop riders may or may not nod as the V is a solidarity sign, so its best to nod at the cops.
Yaint supposed to ride one handed now, so giving a cop a wave or sign by takin a hand off the bars is a technical offence-u'll never get pulled for it, but u shud not do it to a cop.
Also, I did a motor officers response course. Cops are not out for ride- they are on patrol, u gotta a lot of stuff goin on- radio,foreground/middle ground/distance scanning/road position etc etc.
As somebody said, sometimes there is too much goin on to nod/wave, he's seen ya, but he's checked ya and moved on to checkin for hazards/perps/violations up the road etc.
Even off duty,cops are still peace officers but they can use discretion, but in uniform, they are there to be seen and to set an example to other road users.
Hope that makes some sense and helps.
Ride safe.

[bushwick]

Originally Posted by histy

Over here (France and UK) : UK (Brits) cops usually nod the head or a turn of the head as if u were winking at someone, some just stay sat up like they got a rod up the ass.
France: well we got Gendarmes/Police Nationale/Police de Ville and Douanes all out on bikes.
The French rider salute is a V held out out palm down at waist level, riders ALWAYS salute each other. The various cop riders may or may not nod as the V is a solidarity sign, so its best to nod at the cops.
Yaint supposed to ride one handed now, so giving a cop a wave or sign by takin a hand off the bars is a technical offence-u'll never get pulled for it, but u shud not do it to a cop.
Also, I did a motor officers response course. Cops are not out for ride- they are on patrol, u gotta a lot of stuff goin on- radio,foreground/middle ground/distance scanning/road position etc etc.
As somebody said, sometimes there is too much goin on to nod/wave, he's seen ya, but he's checked ya and moved on to checkin for hazards/perps/violations up the road etc.
Even off duty,cops are still peace officers but they can use discretion, but in uniform, they are there to be seen and to set an example to other road users.
Hope that makes some sense and helps.
Ride safe.

Yeah, thats cool, thx. But, I disagree with the whole technical offense with hands. Lets say your riding and you get splattered by a sworm of bees and you need to wipe some crap out of your goggles so you can see around the corner at 55mph. Or how about older bikes with a suicide shift. Or your running out of gas and all you need to do is flip the valve to reserve. I'm not trying to be a smart ass, I just think that our friendly citizens on patrol who have been trained to examine and execute and observe can take their hand off the grip for split second. So, cops are not out for ride? Do they have the choice to ride? If so, I think that every officer who rides enjoys it. Beside, normally when I ride I dont look to see who or whats riding, I just wave........because I'm paying attention to things like "hazards, up the road, etc." But why assume that everyone on a bike is a perp/violator.

[ktd1597]

Originally Posted by hxturbo

I either wave or give a knod of the head. What some people don't know, and they might interpret as being ignored, is that sometimes we are talking on the radio which requires a push on a button. This wouldn't allow us to wave as we need to concentrate and control the bike. And sometimes we are looking for someone/something and are concentrating on that.

Never seems to fail that I'm pushing the PTT on my radio or hitting the moving radar control when someone waves at me!!!

Yes, I always try to wave when I can safey.

BTW, I'm usually scanning traffic not just for cagers trying to run me over, I'm also looking for violations! Very, very demanding on your senses! Most MC's aren't my prey of choice, it's the cars that I want : )

[The real gasbag]

Originally Posted by bushwick

The other day I was riding through town, and seen a bike comin my way, so I threw him the two finger wave. It was an officer on a Harley cruiser in uniform. But he didnt wave back, he looked at me like he was going to pull me over (HA HA)

He may have been busy, what with his radio and watching traffic and watching for the latest suspect broadcast to him or looking over you to watch that idiot in the Ford cross the double yellows or those kids throwing rocks at passing cars.

I'm just sayin'.