What would constitute impersonating a police officer? [Archive]

Schneiderman

10-02-2008, 02:18 PM

I put white reflective tape on the rear of my concours saddlebags, and now at night some cars mistake me for a cop. IMO this makes me a lot safer, and I want to increase the chances that drivers will think I am a cop. But obviously I don't want to actually "impersonate" a police officer. So I need to find out what the limits are... I live in NY.

Like I said I have white reflective tape on the back of the saddlebags. What about adding blue also? And I'm sure I couldn't spell out NYPD, but what about something that doesn't mean anything, like NYMC?

And finally, I have ordered some reflective fabric that can be sewn into my jackets. I'd like to write something on the back of my jacket. Could it be considered impersonation if I wrote "POLITE" or "HIGHWAY PATRON" on my jacket? Obviously the idea there is to fool drivers into thinking it says "POLICE" or "HIGHWAY PATROL".

Here's what the back of my bike looks like now, except I added a strip of reflective tape to the sides of the bags also:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/schneiderman07/100_0298.jpg

cbdallas

10-02-2008, 02:20 PM

I wouldn't go as far as writing something similar to "Police" ...and if it's misspelled, I would HOPE not too many people would be fooled.

But the white and blue reflective tape can't really be construed as impersonation. It's just a safety feature you've elected to add and you like those colors best.

Schneiderman

10-02-2008, 02:25 PM

Hot damn that was a fast reply! Thanks. About people being fooled: the last time I linked up with another biker on the highway, I thought about it carefully while I rode behind him. I've got very good eyesight, but I determined that with the letters being a reasonable size, it would be very difficult to discern a T from a C or an N from an L at any safe following distance. I think that since most cars coming up from behind at night would already be getting the idea that I am a cop by seeing white and blue, and writing on my jacket resembling one of those two phrases, they would be unwilling to come close enough to tell the difference. Of course, the problem there is that a cop is likely to pull me over thinking that it does indeed say "police" or "highway patrol" and could easily write me a ticket for it. My main concern is, if I get a ticket for it, can I beat it or not?

RoadWarriorService

10-02-2008, 02:31 PM

I use a couple of 'coppish' visual techniques. My bike looks a little like a cop bike (a black full dresser HD with police bags and reflector tape). I found that this 'look' works well at at keeping creepy drivers and pedestrians away. As long as I don't cross the line and say I'm a police (orally or in writing) I'm fine.

As an example, I have a badge hanging on my jacket. But it's on my shoulder epaulet instead of on the front. And if you take the time to read it, you'll see it says I'm a cafeteria monitor. But again I'm careful not to cross the line, like pointing at it in traffic. I also don't do anything suicidal, like show up at a 1%er event with a badge.

I'm around cops a lot since I live near a cop shop. I drive to work on an HOV highway, and I always wave to cops on the shoulder scanning for cheaters. And I occasionally get pulled over for not wearing a helmet. Never had a bit of trouble about the badge or the bike.

One funny note: I rode an elevator at a hotel, wearing my black leathers and all, and a mother came in with her small boy. She leaned over and whispered to him, "He's a bounty hunter!" That was pretty funny.

cbdallas

10-02-2008, 03:16 PM

Well, I don't think you have to worry about getting a ticket for it, because impersonating an officer is an arrestable offense. I guess you could haggle the fine and jailtime with the judge and prosecutor.

PJL

10-02-2008, 03:25 PM

§ 190.26 Criminal impersonation in the first degree.
A person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the first degree when
he:
1. Pretends to be a police officer, or wears or displays without
authority, any uniform, badge or other insignia or facsimile thereof, by
which such police officer is lawfully distinguished or expresses by his
words or actions that he is acting with the approval or authority of any
police department; and
2. So acts with intent to induce another to submit to such pretended
official authority or otherwise to act in reliance upon said pretense
and in the course of such pretense commits or attempts to commit a
felony; or
3. Pretending to be a duly licensed physician or other person
authorized to issue a prescription for any drug or any instrument or
device used in the taking or administering of drugs for which a
prescription is required by law, communicates to a pharmacist an oral
prescription which is required to be reduced to writing pursuant to
section thirty-three hundred thirty-two of the public health law.
Criminal impersonation in the first degree is a class E felony.

Would putting "Highway Patron" constitute impersonation? I don't really think so, as long as you don't have police insignia on your bike or anywhere else. That would be like arresting kids who have "FBI" shirts that underneath in small print say "Female Body Inspector."

YamahaFan

10-02-2008, 03:33 PM

Hmmm what if a cop-hater sees you? Or worse a cop-killer? Tell me I watch too much movies but some cop-haters might cross the line, especially at night.

PerrySB

10-02-2008, 05:24 PM

I can’t speak for NY but here in California there is no way the implication could be made that you are impersonating a police officer because of you bike having a similar appearance of a police bike. That would be the same as saying it is illegal to have a black and white car. In our state you can purchase a ball cap that has the CHP insignia on it and no one cares. However don’t ever produce a badge and attempt to fool someone that will get you busted. Personally when I’m off duty I don’t want anything on my person or bike connecting me to law enforcement. Some people just don’t like us cops so I’m not going to advertise it.

Speedzter2000

10-02-2008, 09:06 PM

It's funny that this was brought up...A friend and I were discussing this earlier today..
Another friend I ride with had mentioned to me about installing the blue and red turn signal cover lenses for future shows, to give the bike a real "cop feel". They are available on e-bay, but it also stipulates they are illegal to have on the bike. I wouldn't go that far, but when I lane split, people move out of the way for the Beemer. On the Kwacker, they want to run me over. Go figure. A few people have said my bike looks like a cop bike...I dunno...I just like to think they respect the ride.
Here's what mine looks like from the back:
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j110/speedzter2000/bmw2-2.jpg

Schneiderman

10-02-2008, 09:08 PM

Nice bike, and yes it does look like a cop bike. Just get a solo seat cowl to cover the passenger seat and stick an antenna on there.

Speedzter2000

10-02-2008, 09:12 PM

Nice bike, and yes it does look like a cop bike. Just get a solo seat cowl to cover the passenger seat and stick an antenna on there.

LOL!! You have read my mind!! Corbin makes a solo seat, which I'll be getting this winter. And, funny thing...I said the same thing about the antennas today!!:eek::D

Here's the seat...Sweeeet!
http://www.corbin.com/bmw/8593gun.shtml

Schneiderman

10-02-2008, 09:15 PM

Mmm that's nice, be sure to post pics when you get it!

pdksh

10-03-2008, 09:11 AM

A number of states "impersonating" statutes indicate that there also has to be intent. Being that there is no intent here, there's no harm. Of course, you'll want to check the NY statutes and see if they use intent in their statutes.

PJL

10-03-2008, 09:22 AM

I posted the NY statute above -- there's an intent requirement.

RoadWarriorService

10-03-2008, 09:31 AM

Sure, a lot of people don't like cops for a variety of reasons. Some are legitimate, some are for evil reasons, and some folks are just nutty. But they all fear them, and that's good enough reason to use cop styling on your bike.

http://www.roadwarriorservice.com/images/bike.jpg

Custom85VT

10-03-2008, 09:42 AM

Some are legitimate, some are for evil reasons, and some folks are just nutty.

...and some all three.

misterdub

10-03-2008, 12:09 PM

I posted the NY statute above -- there's an intent requirement.

Not to quibble over language (although, I am) -- isn't there still intent?

I mean, he's doing it for safety reasons but he's still doing it intentionally. If he happened to be wearing all blue and had a badge because he was going to his job as a security guard and people thought he was a cop, that would be without intent. But styling your bike/jacket to make people think your cop is intent.

I'm inclined to agree that putting "Highway Patron" or something similar on your jacket isn't impersonation. But I'd talk to a lawyer if you're really concerned.

PerrySB

10-03-2008, 12:50 PM

Our state sells the retired police bikes, only thing missing is the lights, siren, and radio. If you purchased one of these bikes no one could accuse you of intent unless you attempted to stop someone. You would need to attempt to exercise authority that you do not have to prove intent. If a person mistakes you for a cop because of what you are riding or driving that is merely their mistake. Your intentions may be to fool someone but you are not doing so for illegal reasons. The CHP is recruiting right now then you could ride one with all the bells and whistles.

misterdub

10-03-2008, 12:55 PM

PerrySB: What about the wording on the jacket that Schneiderman described?

I'm curious because I agree that it would definitely make you more visible.

PJL

10-03-2008, 01:42 PM

Not to quibble over language (although, I am) -- isn't there still intent?

I mean, he's doing it for safety reasons but he's still doing it intentionally. If he happened to be wearing all blue and had a badge because he was going to his job as a security guard and people thought he was a cop, that would be without intent. But styling your bike/jacket to make people think your cop is intent.

I'm inclined to agree that putting "Highway Patron" or something similar on your jacket isn't impersonation. But I'd talk to a lawyer if you're really concerned.
He is talking to a lawyer ;)

I think it's fine to give people the distant impression that it's a cop just to increase your own safety, as long as you aren't doing things like running flashing lights, labeling your vehicle with police insignia, things like that. As far as the intent thing goes, the section says:

"So acts with intent to induce another to submit to such pretended
official authority or otherwise to act in reliance upon said pretense
and in the course of such pretense commits or attempts to commit a
felony"

How many times have you been behind a car that's a decommissioned cop car owned and operated by a civilian and were extra careful "just in case." I believe the effect is the same. Even in the more general "impersonation in the 2nd degree" you have an intent requirement and the requirement of an act.

§ 190.25 Criminal impersonation in the second degree.
A person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree when
he:
1. Impersonates another and does an act in such assumed character with
intent to obtain a benefit or to injure or defraud another; or
2. Pretends to be a representative of some person or organization and
does an act in such pretended capacity with intent to obtain a benefit
or to injure or defraud another; or
3. (a) Pretends to be a public servant, or wears or displays without
authority any uniform, badge, insignia or facsimile thereof by which
such public servant is lawfully distinguished, or falsely expresses by
his words or actions that he is a public servant or is acting with
approval or authority of a public agency or department; and (b) so acts
with intent to induce another to submit to such pretended official
authority, to solicit funds or to otherwise cause another to act in
reliance upon that pretense.
Criminal impersonation in the second degree is a class A misdemeanor.

misterdub

10-03-2008, 01:48 PM

Cool, I might do something similar then. With the days getting shorter I've been riding more at night recently. This sounds like an interesting idea to keep people a little more aware.

YamahaFan

10-03-2008, 01:57 PM

Hehe a co-worker of mine got a retired police car that still has the push guard on the front, so everyone always take it easy going next to him or just slow down behind him which sometimes is a pain for me being on a sport bike because he doesn't drive fast, so most of the time I just get up to him and rev my engine lol. Yep, the things he didnt have are the lights and the 27MHz CB ham antenna. Sometimes it's a good thing because people will think "hey this guy knows a cop - he could be a cop too!"

CaptCrashIdaho

10-03-2008, 02:36 PM

The question is what are you gonna do with it? The language of 'submission' implies to me that once you use your 'pretend' status to influence others actions you've crossed the line.

I do remember a story somewhere about a guy who painted his Mustang to look like the Transformer one, and added a dummy lightbar who got hassled by the cops (thinking texas here) and turns out he was OK because his light bar was clearly fake and DIDN'T produce light...off to google...

Got it: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,337297,00.html

YamahaFan

10-03-2008, 02:44 PM

hmmmm I remember years ago someone got pulled over for having blue license plate light on his car, things went to court and turns out it is OK to have that according to the book.

But I guess I woudn't go far, even when I'm not doing anything wrong because if I get pulled over by a cop who doesn't know much (or just wanna harash you - go figure) it'll be a waste of time.

sykokid

10-05-2008, 06:30 AM

thats a really good idea (the colour thing, not the letters, that goes abit far), except cop colours here are orange, so is it worth it?

iamgumby

10-10-2008, 07:35 PM

My luck I'd pull up next to the car load of gang bangers that just robbed a liquor store across town.

PerrySB

10-13-2008, 10:01 AM

Iamgumby
That is exactly why when I’m off duty I don’t want any appearance of being a cop. Many people don’t realize that there are a lot of people out there that hate cops. Some would be a real potential threat to an off duty officer. Our security isn’t in the badge, the gun, or our own ability, it is numbers, we generally outnumber the bad guys, lets hope it stays that way.

As for the jacket as previously asked, that I think is starting to walk a thin line. Some guys might just think it is funny, some might give you a bad time about it. As for the court, who knows what a judge is going to do any more. To me some of them seem to come up with the dumbest decisions I have ever heard.

GI Jack

10-15-2008, 03:30 AM

I'm pretty sure you'd be able to get away with the colors, and the style, but I think with the letters, its damn obvious what you are doing, especially if they are in the font and styling of your local PD's colors, fonts, and styling.

No one in this thread here would think "Highway Patron", or "Polite" on the jacket or bike of a MC'ist(or even better a car) is anything but a play on words, so why do you assume police would be so naive.

In fact most cops aren't naive, there job requires it. They know exactly what your doing, just as we would even if you haven't posted a thread.

PerrySB

10-15-2008, 10:08 AM

GI Jack
I think the real issue is the intent, not so much the appearance. If your intent was to control traffic for instance, then that could be a problem. I kind of through this out with some of the guys I work with, most were of the same opinion, we wouldn’t really care as long as the person wasn’t attempting to deceive for illegal purposes. Such as the red light bandit did back in the sixties. However each state has different laws so I would think a person would be wise to talk to their local authorities and get their take on it. Pesonally I wouldn’t want the appearance of police bike for the reasons I previously stated but that is just my own personal opinion. I certainly wouldn’t bother someone that took on that appearance especially if they were just riding in a normal manner. Why would I, it would just cut down on the donut shop time.

eljefino

10-16-2008, 01:09 PM

My take is MC cops are on the clock and therefore protected by OSHA or a similar health & safety program, which goes well beyond the legal minimum for a civilian biker. This could mean reflectors galore. Ego drives your "typical" rider to look cool in black leather etc, and the armored reflectivized leathers I've seen look like they belong on the racetrack... again for ego.

The best way to impersonate is to have a descreet and nonspecific "uniform" of, well, reflective dorkiness. Look at mall cops, they have the blue button down collared shirt but the details are missing... flashlight where the gun goes etc.

Look at british highway cops or rescue workers, it is so foggy and rainy their uniforms are bright and reflective "just in case". May be why the BMW pictured above looks so cop-ish, it has a euro job safety flair.

If you could imagine a profession besides policing that rode motorcycles it too would probably dictate reflective vests etc like construction workers wear near cars.

Personally I'd stick with red and white rear reflective tape; it gets the job done especially if there's a ludicrous amount of it like you have.

Schneiderman

10-16-2008, 06:13 PM

This is what I've done with the bike, I have just a little bit of blue tape left so I'll see if I can do any more but I'm pretty happy with the results so far:

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/schneiderman07/100_0325.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/schneiderman07/100_0327.jpg
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd185/schneiderman07/100_0328.jpg

I'm still waiting on my white reflective fabric strips to some, they'll be going on my jacket, I just have to come up with some design. I don't think I'll be writing anything.

400swapitout

10-29-2008, 01:01 PM

This is a great thread. I agree with the fast that on a bike your succeptable to moronic behavior by cop-haters. My girlfriend bought a retired undercover crown vic (i know, shes a badass!) and its fun for the most part. But some people see the grill gaurd or spotlight when going down the highway and hit the brakes, HARD! Then they decide to ride in my blind spot, which is pretty frickin big! others just blow by you either not seeeing you or knowing because the antennas are gone. And I seriously thought about writing Polite on the side, then even harder about Folice when I decided that would be way to obvious that were trying to look like a cop and going to jail

GI Jack

10-30-2008, 05:19 AM

I still don't get why you'd want to look like a cop.

Got a certain senior nameless enlisted member in my unit who's got a car, he tried making it look like a cop car, well within legal limits of the law too. All the guys in my unit who ARE civilian cops make fun of him for it.

Also, I don't know about where you are, but intent can be subjective, and your left at the mercy of the opinions of local PD. Not a good idea. It only takes one who doesn't like it.

I don't get why anyone would want to look like a cop in the first place. But thats just me

Schneiderman

10-30-2008, 08:10 AM

I still don't get why you'd want to look like a cop.
...
I don't get why anyone would want to look like a cop in the first place. But thats just me

I fully explained my reasoning. You may not agree with it but don't pretend you don't understand it.

I've had the blue+white on there for a couple weeks now and I've noticed a remarkable improvement in traffic behavior around me at night. It makes me more safe and that's all I care about when I'm on the bike.

sure

10-30-2008, 08:39 PM

Dude are you for real..you want to impersonate a cop? I mean cuz really thats what you want people to think that you're a cop..
if you want to look like a cop go to the police academy and get badge then become a bike cop..
are you a mall security guard?
cuz you have the same mentality as my ex brother in law..he drove ex cop car and all that..what a joke..

roadster

03-10-2009, 11:21 PM

As long as you don't put POLICE or HIGHWAY PATROL you can't be construed as impersonating a police vehicle. You have a right to put any written message on your bike as long as it does not denigrate the public. Putting NYPD would get you into trouble but NYMC should not as long as it is not used by any NY state municipality. It is not you fault if a driver is too stupid to read what the message says. That said, you will probably find police that do not like the similarity of the message and they could issue you a ticket, but a good attorney should bea able to beat it. unfortunately you will most likely still be stuck with court cost.

internationalballer

03-16-2009, 08:35 PM

Schneiderman,
This is off topic but I had been wondering what the heck your pic was in you avitar, now I see.

MikieTaps

03-19-2009, 02:15 PM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/41531581_b10a2fd505.jpg

are they impersonating an officer? :D

pdksh

03-19-2009, 03:12 PM

Depends on the state, I am sure. In Virginia, that is clearly not impersonating.

...with the intent to deceive a casual observer or with the intent to impersonate the office of sheriff...

ref: § 15.2-1612. Wearing of same or similar uniforms by unauthorized persons (http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+15.2-1612)

I suppose if the casual observer lived in a nudist colony or something along those lines, perhaps that could be construed as impersonating. However, among the general population, I am unsure that this would pass for impersonating minus intent.

Plumcrazy

04-12-2009, 01:42 PM

Gosh Wally...I would want to be handcuffed by those officers

Now back on topic, is that crushed glass mixed with paint to give you the reflective white when light hits it?

Wayne S

woad-3

05-22-2009, 06:07 PM

Hmmm what if a cop-hater sees you? Or worse a cop-killer? Tell me I watch too much movies but some cop-haters might cross the line, especially at night.

haha

MichaelW

05-26-2009, 03:26 PM

Well IMHO and that's what you'd be betting on, you are NOT impersonating.

On the other hand. Wally World sells plastic spray paint that you can use to paint up that orange strip on the JC Whitney trunk. I repainted all of mine including that Iron Cross thingy. Looks MUCH better now. ;)

http://www.thinair.cc/images/trunk/trunk-44.jpg

http://www.thinair.cc/images/trunk/trunk-43.jpg

It's even a better black. ;)

dodgyluck

05-26-2009, 05:28 PM

I would have to agree. Anything you can do to make your bike safer is generally a good idea. I had a friend whose dad bought her a white Ford Taurus with a ski rack growing up so that people would drive more carefully around her. When I was younger I put in an alternating flash headlight relay in my car and it's amazing how fast people slow down or move over. I did check laws and it wasn't illegal where I lived. However, having now worked in law enforcement I realize there is a great amount of lattitude for someone to build a case against you if they want to. Having reflective tape and a functional radio that necessitates the antenna is one thing, but when you start adding patches or similar writing they could very easily question the legitimacy of the efforts you took. Depending on the officer and prosecutor, it could be more the "totality" of the circumstance and the efforts taken. You don't have to verbally tell anyone that you are an officer or give them orders to make it impersonation. The referenced law states this includes a facsimile (meaning replica or likeness) and writing one or two letters differently can be seen as trying to achieve the intent to deceive. I love the ideas! All I'm saying is that stranger things have happened with being prosecuted. Your best bet is to make it look like you happened to buy a bike that looks a lot like a police bike.

HondaIlya

06-01-2009, 03:10 AM

what if you got a European police riding jacket????

dodgyluck

06-04-2009, 01:22 AM

Haha. That may work. Maybe people would be momentarily confused and think they were on a European highway:)

PerrySB

06-11-2009, 10:10 AM

They look like rookies, I’d be glad to train them, and my wife just slapped me.

Paul 91

08-06-2009, 01:25 AM

AngryHatter

08-06-2009, 01:28 PM

Hawkeye

08-06-2009, 03:49 PM

Now I know I am a new member and this is an old thread but im throwing in my opinion. And because of forum rule I will hold back from the many many person names I have to call you right now.

Why in the world would you want to look like a cop when...
a. you have NO LE training?
b. cant react as a cop if it calls for it?
c. defend yourself when the scumb bag cop hater comes up and trys to kill you?

It one thing to add reflective striping to be seen and another to admit to trying to look like a cop. Do NOT attempt to look like a cop as you are not one. I understand your looking to respect and to be safe but you can do it without writing "POLITE" and "HIGHWAY PATRON" on your jack. That is the absolute stupidest thing I have ever heard in my life!

Hmm, this was a good way to make me disregard all of your posts in the future. You obviously have no idea what you are talking about if you think this is dumb, let alone "the dumbest thing you have ever heard in your life"

Why would you need LE training or need to react as a cop? What would call for something like that where you couldn't react as a civilian as well... I can't think of anything worth while. Also, how many CHP get gunned down by cop haters a year? I would suspect not that many, not even in NYC. Plus, I doubt he will be going through the areas that that even happens in!

Chuck A

08-06-2009, 09:25 PM

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/23/41531581_b10a2fd505.jpg

are they impersonating an officer? :D

I would love to get pulled over by them:71baldboy:

Weebel

08-09-2009, 09:20 PM

OK I know this thread is a little old but I just have to ask...

Do they even have motorcycle cops where the OP is from?

And if so... to their bikes even look remotely similar to his?

I've never seen one.... just on TV during presidential escorts.

If you see a bike where I live... it's not a cop.... I dont care if it has the red and blue lights and the word POLICE on it... it's still not a cop

Just wondering

papayolk

09-13-2009, 11:42 AM

I use a headlight modulator. The fed. says legal in all states, but some podunk LEO's still try to ticket. Here in Idaho I have had people pull over to the shoulder and let me pass. No intent to fool anyone here, just trying to get the cellphone airheads to see me.

Schneiderman

09-14-2009, 06:25 PM

Now I know I am a new member and this is an old thread but im throwing in my opinion. And because of forum rule I will hold back from the many many person names I have to call you right now.

Why in the world would you want to look like a cop when...
a. you have NO LE training?
b. cant react as a cop if it calls for it?
c. defend yourself when the scumb bag cop hater comes up and trys to kill you?

It one thing to add reflective striping to be seen and another to admit to trying to look like a cop. Do NOT attempt to look like a cop as you are not one. I understand your looking to respect and to be safe but you can do it without writing "POLITE" and "HIGHWAY PATRON" on your jack. That is the absolute stupidest thing I have ever heard in my life!

Allow me to return the complement.

"Why in the world would you want to look like a cop"- this has already been covered, in the OP in fact.

a. is irrelevant
b. is nonsensical
c. is a stupid assertion- I challenge you to provide one case of a motorcycle officer being assaulted by anyone simply for being a motorcycle officer riding down the road, in all of motorcycle history...

My bike already looks like a cop bike, and in fact ZG1000's have been used as cop bikes. I added white reflective tape without thinking about looking like a cop bike but it had that affect and between the increased visibility at night and the appearance of being a cop, it has increased my safety. Since then I have added blue and this has further increased the impression that I am a cop and it has further increased my safety. The effect is greatest at night when I wear my black jacket and white helmet with my trunk removed. You wouldn't believe how much more safely people drive when they think you're a cop. If people drove like that all the time there would be no accidents.

Castle

11-24-2009, 01:15 AM

I don't see a problem with white or red reflective tape (red tape only for rear facing applications). Blue tape screams impersonator to me and I would avoid it.

The last thing you want is to get pulled over for "fitting the description" of someone accused of impersonating a police officer who robbed a store, raped someone or worse killed someone. It's not worth it.

SuperSherpa197

11-24-2009, 01:56 AM

ok when i wake up today, i'm going hunting for some reflective tape, color be ****ed. i ride a blue bike, and we have like one motorcycle cop here and that's only for a month or so.

screw the tape issue, i want to know why the hell i only see a MC cop during July......it's not like we don't have a lot of 'typical gixxer riders', this is a university town of nearly 20,000!!!!!

PerrySB

11-24-2009, 10:08 AM

Lets face it many people by retired police bikes and guess what they look like police bikes, go figure. I was a CHP motor cop for a few years until I got in a nasty accident. Are there cop haters out there, sure there are but I never once had anyone attempt to attack me while I was on a CHP bike, actually most people became very nice, don’t know why. So I can actually see an advantage to having your bike look like a police bike.

Down side if you get on the freeway and start trying to control traffic with the appearance of a LEO then you are asking for trouble, or if you should make an attempt to make someone believe you are a LEO that is a very bad idea. Other than that I don’t see a problem with it. I have gave this a lot of thought since the thread began a long time ago.

Personally I don’t want my own bikes to look like a police but that is just me.

Rossoneri

12-03-2009, 02:07 PM

Unless you actually wear something that says you are a police officer or verbally claim to be one, you are not considered to be impersonating a police officer. Nonetheless, I definitely wouldn't go as far as writing POLITE on your jacket. Highway Patron, on the otherhand, is a phrase that would kind of make sense in context, so you could probably get away with it. You'd be MUCH safer writing it in lowercase, because you could argue that it is singificantly different from real highhway patrol