Dehner Patrol Booted

Today, Monday, marks a holiday in the United States. I have the day off from work. It also marks the end of "leather weekend." While I did not attend any of the Mid-Atlantic Leather Weekend events, I did have some time yesterday to take some photos of me in a new-to-me pair of Dehner patrol boots that arrived on Friday.

I was going to take a short ride on my Harley yesterday to break these boots in, but it was too darn cold, so I just leathered up, posted photos to my website, and enjoyed my partner's company.

What's special about these boots, and don't I have enough Dehner Boots already?

Read more »

Maintaining Shiny Boot Shine

One would think that with the extensive boot collection that I have, I may spend a lot of time shining them. Actually, I don't. Most of my boots are worn "as is" and perhaps the boots show a little dirt. To me, that is "character."

However, some boots are made to shine and be kept shiny -- Chippewa "High-Shines" and All American Patrol Boots are some examples. How do I maintain the shine on these boots -- especially if I don't have much time (or like to spend time) shining them?

Read more »

Santa's Boots

Santa is getting ready to make his rounds. Have you been naughty or nice?

Read more »

Cop Boots -- Discount Coupon at Stompers

This post has been removed. The content on it is outdated and the discount referenced is no longer available.

Bates Patrol Boots

I was the lucky winner of an eBay auction a couple weeks ago, and scored, rather inexpensively, a new-to-me pair of Bates Patrol Boots.

I have not seen any cops wearing this particular brand of boots in a long time, so I figure that this style of (tall patrol) boots haven't been made for several years. I visited the Bates website, and found that this style of tall patrol boots is not made any more. They only make short tactical and military boots these days. Further internet searching indicates that Bates was bought by the same company that makes boots under the Wolverine brand in China... so there goes another quality bootmaker down the drain.

But I digress.... These Bates patrol boots are similar in construction to Chippewa Motor Patrol Boots. That is both a good and bad thing. The boots are made of all leather, which is good. However, the leather is rather thin. I estimate the leather is of 4 to 5oz weight. Perhaps that makes a lighter-weight boot, but it also poses some problems with durability and creasing with wear. (Notice in the photos how the boots are crinkled -- and they should not be that way when worn with motor breeches.)

The boots have a bal-laced instep. They also have lacing on the outside of each boot shaft to adjust the fit. A different feature of these boots is a leather-covered expansion band found at the top of the inside of each boot shaft.

What I dislike most about these boots is that they have a seam both down the middle of the front as well as the back of the boot shaft. To me, that seam is both unnecessary and unsightly. The boots also have a cheap nitrile rubber sole, so the traction offered is not all that good. Fine for a dry day, but probably not when the roads are slick with rain.

Oh well, I got these boots inexpensively. They are okay, but I can understand why Bates does not make these boots any more. They were cheap to make, and look it.

More photos of these boots are here.

Life is short: know your boots!

Viewership: Zing!

It is not surprising to me, but I remain amazed at the sheer volume of interest in my motorcycle police galleries that I posted on a photo gallery software system on my website.

I announced it on this blog, and probably had a few hundred visitors come from here.

I announced it in the "what's new" section of my website, and also saw a few hundred visitors originate from there.

Google is bringing lots of visitors, too. Amazing how quickly Google indexes this blog with its search engine, and sends people searching "motorcycle cops" and related key words to that gallery.

I announced it on the "Boots on Line" board on hotboots.com, and man, oh man, the "visitorship" went ... zing! Not a minute after I posted a message there, someone from from my home town immediately followed that link to check it out. (Hmmm... interesting... another follower of hotboots.com where I live? Well, I'm glad there is at least one other Bootman besides me in my hometown where boots are rarely worn except by real bikers.)

Throughout the day, hundreds and hundreds of visitors explored that gallery. By 5pm yesterday, my website logged the highest number of visitors and viewership it has ever had in one 12-hour period -- over 20,000 page views. Wow! All that in just a half day!

Well, I'm glad there is so much interest in those galleries. And if you are among those who have gotten tired about the prattling I have done about cops, boots, and this gallery, this blog will resume with a different line of thought tomorrow.

Life is short: enjoy the view!

New Way of Showing Cop Galleries

Over the last several evenings, I have been experimenting with using a new-to-me software tool that allows for easier management of photo galleries on my website.

I think it is working -- Check it out to see the galleries from the recent Police Motorcycle Competition that I attended last weekend.

If you will, send me a message to tell me how it works for you.

I have had a recently retired cop friend check it out for me. He has nothing to do but ride his Harley and give me grief (using his witty charm) by sending ransom demands. He and another local cop who I have known since grade school both said that the new gallery seems to work for them. Yea! It will take time to integrate it throughout my website, but I've done a quick-n-dirty redirect to make it "go live" already.

Life is short: use new products that can help make life easier (especially if they're free! Thanks, Coppermine!)

Desensitized to Cops and Boots

I guess it was bound to happen. When a guy like me who is particularly fond of tall motorcycle patrol boots and cops in uniforms surrounds himself with ... cops in uniforms wearing tall patrol boots -- like the situation in which I found myself at the recent police motorcycle competition that I judged -- I no longer thought anything other than "nice boots, good looking breeches, now how are you riding?"

I know a lot of guys in a certain group have a "passion" for this stuff. I did, too. Sure, I still like to put on my tall black patrol boots with leather or fabric breeches when I ride my Harley, or on occasions to wear around the house. I might even don a uniform to wear privately to play with my partner. Fun stuff -- like "arrest" him when he gets home from work for the crime of being too good to me. That kind of thing.

This past weekend, I saw lots and lots of uniforms and boots. After a while, I heard myself saying, "oh, there are a pair of Dress Instep Dehners. There's another-- that pair has a double sole. That pair has lug soles. Oh those are Chippewa Hi-Shine engineer boots. Those are Chippewa Patrol Boots." Then more Dehners. Lots of Dehners.

You see it so much you stop looking. Well, let's say you stop gawking. Sure, I admire a well-kept pair of tall patrol boots on a fit cop in uniform. I am a healthy, red-blooded, gay man. But that's it. I have no fantasies, no thoughts in any way about what I'm seeing.

I guess that comes from being in a monogamous relationship so long. I don't think "that way" about anyone other than my partner. And also because I have over a dozen pairs of tall black patrol boots of my own, seeing them on someone else is ... just ... seeing the same thing again and again. Further, I have several friends who are motor officers. I ride with them regularly (when they are not on duty). No.big.deal. They're nice guys -- the good guys whose service protects us every day.

Okay, I am "desensitized." That doesn't mean, however, that I don't stop taking pictures and working on a new photo gallery for my website. The gallery should be ready tomorrow. Look for the announcement soon.

By the way, why is there a copyright overlay on these images? Unfortunately, I have observed that some unscrupulous people have downloaded images from this blog or my website and reposted my images as their own elsewhere. So overprinting a copyright statement is one way to try to stop that bad behavior.

Life is short: know when it is no longer overwhelming.

No Wet Cops After All

Thankfully, the threat of rain was only a threat. When I awoke yesterday morning, the radar indicated the skies were clear, and the roads looked damp, but not wet. So I donned my leather BDUs (because I like the cargo pockets), pulled on my Wesco Boss boots, a t-shirt, and my lightweight leather jacket. Got my Harley out of the garage and met five others from my club, then hauled our butts at oh-dark-30 to the location of the police motorcycle rodeo held some 40 miles away.

Fortunately, the rain never materialized. In fact, the clouds broke up and the sun came out -- and I got a bit of a sunburn!

I enjoyed serving as a judge in the competition again this year. Lots of cops who participate in it are very skilled riders. However, despite their level of skill, this year 15 riders dropped their bikes during the competition. Each time I saw a bike go down, I yelled "ouch!" Fortunately, no one was hurt (other than their pride.)

I will post more about the event in the next few days. It sure was fun!

Photo left is one of the skilled competitors -- notice that he's looking where he wants his bike to go, not down. The photo below is my friend from my local PD riding in the competition.

Life is short: learn from what you observe.

Wet Cops

As you read this, I am serving as a judge at a multistate regional police motorcycle riding competition. I served as a judge last year and was asked back to serve as a judge again this year. I enjoy it -- I can be right in the midst of the activity watching the skilled riders weave through the course.

Unlike most years when this event is held and we have stunningly beautiful early autumn weather, this year the entire DC Metro area is under the threat of another day of rain. All day yesterday (Friday) ... rain, rain, rain. Bleccchhhh. I'm tired of it.

The police motorcycle competition goes on, rain or shine. A cop who I work with told me, "we have ridden in a hurricane before!" Hmmmmm....

Let's hope the rain holds off, but if not, there will be more than wet cops at this event -- I'll be out there in it, too. :-)

Life is short: keep dry!

Even Cops Think Their Boots are Hypnotic

As demonstrated by this brief exchange on Facebook, it's evident that even motorcycle police officers like how their boots look.

There's something about how the boots look with a uniform that attracts a lot of attention from many people -- women and men, straight and gay, cops and non-cops alike. 

I'm glad to have my thoughts about the boots confirmed in writing by a Motor Officer. (giggle).

'nuf said.

Life is short:  wear boots!  (Police patrol boots or otherwise!)

Law Ride Gallery

I finally had some time to crop and assemble three galleries of photos that I took on the annual Law Ride held May 8, 2011, in Washington, DC. The galleries are at this link (officers, boots, and prides of boots).

I posted a link to these photo galleries on the Hotboots website yesterday morning, and I wasn't surprised that hundreds of people visited the galleries from the link on the BOL board. The traffic to my website spiked almost instantly, although very few people made a comment. That's typical, and not surprising at all.

I noted from visitor logs that a bike cop who writes a very interesting blog was among the visitors to this gallery from that Hotboots/BOL link. I didn't know that he was a Bootman :-) He is a cool, relaxed, and understanding guy -- the impression that I have from dialogues that I have had with him via email.

Not as many officers attended Law Ride this year as in past years, but that's because most of the events for National Police Week begin later in the week, so officers from distant locations can't justify the cost of spending an entire week during expensive tourist season in the DC area.

The vast majority of motor officers who attended were from jurisdictions in the DC area; however, there were a few from more distant locations (Mississippi and San Diego, California.)

The local motorcops from nearby jurisdictions wear dress instep Dehner boots, and some have double soles applied. Four officers from Mississippi wore Chippewa Hi-Shine engineer boots. Interestingly, I didn't see one pair of bal-laced motorboots on the cops -- only on my non-cop feet. Hmmm... I may have to do something about that! LOL!

It is an interesting and fun ride, where when we arrive at the destination of the ride, the Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial, we pay tribute to law enforcement officers who paid the supreme sacrifice in keeping us safe: those who died in the line of duty.

Life is short: pay tribute to those who care for us.

Observations: Cops Wearing Dehner Boots

Here are a few photos of dress instep Dehner boots on some motor officers. I took these pictures during the staging of Law Ride, which was held on Sunday, May 8, in Washington, DC.

The boots shown in the pride above (i.e., a group of lions is a pride, as is a group of boots worn by proud motor officers) are double-soled. The officers who wear them are from a county police force in Virginia. They have double soles added by a cobbler.

The boots to the right are well cared-for. Some cops know how to take care of their boots, although he didn't break them in correctly (see the left boot?  Bad ankle break; betcha it's painful sometimes.)

...and some cops do not care for their boots (like these on a cop whose jurisdiction includes the county where I live). 

Ouch! The sagging at the ankles! That cop didn't break them in correctly, and is making them worse by bending his ankles that way.

More to follow....

Life is short: know your Dehner boots.

Ride Notes

I was able to go on an annual motorcycle ride held in Washington, DC, yesterday.

Here are some random shots -- two of me (wearing my LAPD leather breaches and All American patrol boots), ...

...and one of a young cop doing what youngsters do: instead of actually talk to people and maybe learn something, he was happy just to sit by himself and send text messages. This wasn't just one short thing, such as sending a text message home saying, "I'm here." This cop spent at least an hour texting away. Personally, I don't get it, but then again, I am a Martian Dinosaur.

I will post more pics of that event eventually... but it may take me a while. As soon as I get off work each day this week, guess who has to go do stuff in the yard?

Life is short: talk, don't text.

Reunion with Motorcops

Late yesterday afternoon, I was given time off for good behavior (that is, I had done chores around the house since 7am...). I joined some friends for "a few beers" (in my case, I drank water since I do not drink alcohol.) The friends I met are motor officers who I have known for a while who were getting together with others who are in town to ride on the Law Ride being held on Sunday (when this post appears.)

A personal friend is a motor officer in the county where I live, and he invited me to join him to get together with his friends -- same group who I had dinner with a couple years ago.

I mostly just listened. They have a bond of brotherhood based on their occupation which transcends jurisdictions and isn't inclusive of "us civilians."  They weren't leaving me out, but there were some stories and interactions about which I couldn't comment, because I do not share the same background and experiences.

While I am not a cop, I respect their work and these fine men for their integrity, honesty, and character. They all have good senses of humor -- much better than my own. They told stories of encounters that they have had which were funny in the way they described them. But the stories are theirs to tell, and if I tried to relate them, I would probably mess up.

What were we wearing? Well, I'm happy to say that unlike last time, three of the guys besides myself had boots on. Just regular harness boots on three of us (including me), and the other booted guy was wearing tactical boots. The rest? What can I say? They love their sneakers. No uniforms -- none were on duty or going to an event where a uniform was required. Just jeans, t-shirts, and lots of smiles.

I enjoyed being included for this gathering. I learn a lot each time I listen to what they have to say. One of them (besides me) is gay, and everyone in the group knows it -- and didn't say a thing about matters related to being gay (or straight, for that matter.) Most of their concerns was related to their respective agency's budgets and cut-backs affecting their work, schedules, overtime, and shifts. Pretty typical talk these days among public servants who work in any capacity.

When a part of the conversation got around to budget cutbacks for uniforms, I asked a few questions related to the "boot budget." Each of them told me that they are "making do" with the boots they already have, and do not expect to get any new boots from their respective employers, because uniform allowances were eliminated in three departments, and cut back so much in the others that none said they would do more than replace torn, damaged, or very worn clothing. I understand -- public service agency budgets are continuing to suffer big-time. Most were appreciative that they still have a job, as they know many others whose departments have eliminated motor units completely, or cut them back and some of their friends had to return to regular patrol duty or suffered a layoff.

Life is short: learn from professionals who you respect.

A Motor Officer's Story

This is a guest blog post by a motorcycle police officer who works in a county sheriff's office in a U.S. southern state. He wrote to me two years ago to ask some questions, and then noticed my "writer's block" post a few days ago, and wrote to me again. He contributed the following post to appear on this blog.

-----------------
My name is ... well ... it doesn't matter. Call me Officer X. I have been serving the citizens of my community for ten years, and have been riding a motor for the past seven. It's not easy work. Lots of hostility sometimes when I write a cite, but as an officer whose blog both BHD and I follow says, "if you got stopped, you deserve it."

I found BHD's website when I was searching for information on why my Dehner boots hurt my ankles when I wore them. I discovered -- after the fact, of course -- that Dehner boots need to be broken in manually by bending them at the ankle to get a straight crease BEFORE putting them on. I found that out on BHD's website and his blog.

I asked him some questions a few years ago, and appreciated the informative and cordial response. I haven't written to him since ... until the other day ... but have been following his blog since I found it.

I have a wife, three kids, a dog, and another child on the way. It's fun being a father. It is also interesting to serve as a motor officer. But you can find out about that in other places on the web, on blogs, and such. What I'm saying is that I am a straight guy; yet, I find BHD's blog informative, interesting, eye-opening sometimes, and helps me understand what a life is like being a gay man in a straight environment. There were a lot of things that I wasn't aware of. I think his blog has helped me serve the citizens where I live, gay or straight.

BHD asked me to answer some questions. Here goes:

1. What do you think about the boots and uniform?

I like to wear a uniform. Sharp, clean, pressed, with shined boots. Comes from my background in the military. I get perturbed when I see fellow motor officers with dirty, crappy boots. It makes them look like they don't care about their appearance. Otherwise, I don't think about it very much. It's what I wear. The boots are a requirement. I like to wear them, but when I get home, the boots come off, get cleaned and shined, and then I put my sneakers on and go play with the kiddos.

2. How many pairs of boots do you have?

I have 3 pairs of motorboots. I get a new pair every year (except this year because of budget cutbacks). I wear older boots when I am on traffic duty, especially in bad weather and when I am stuck in a cruiser instead of on my motor. I wear my newest boots when I have escort duty or in court. I don't own any other boots. (Sorry, BHD, I don't wear boots off the job.)

3. What do you do with your old boots?

Throw them away. By the time I toss them out, they're trashed. While BHD has told me that there would be a market for "cop worn boots" ... I'm not into that, and I don't want to deal with ebay or having strangers contact me about my boots. No way.

4. What manufacturer of boots do you prefer?

I like Dehner boots, but as BHD said, Dehner boots get damaged easily. I ride a Harley and there are times when the bike's exhaust pipes have melted the side of the right boot. Never happens to the left. My Department will buy regular Dehners for me. I have also worn Chippewa motorboots. They're fine, but the leather seems to be thinner and they wrinkle and sag at the ankles. I don't like that. My Department doesn't allow engineer boots, so I don't have any of those chippewa high shine boots that BHD has.

5. Do you ride a personal motorcycle?

I had one, then the kids came along and my wife "suggested" that I get rid of it. I wasn't riding it very much, so I sold it. Other officers in my unit have personal bikes. I seem to be carting the kids around in the minivan a lot these days, anyway. No time to ride when I'm not on duty.

6. Last question: you said that you learned something from reading my blog. What did you learn?

Lots of things... I guess first of all, not all gay men are prissy. No really, that's what I thought for a long time. I'm being honest. Seriously, though, I learned that there is embedded discrimination in the law. I am a man of the law, and enforce it. The laws I enforce are not about gay things, but being a servant of the law, I have learned that some laws force some people to have to deal with things that hurt them. That bothers me. Like BHD can't get his partner's health insurance coverage like my wife can. BHD's partner may have an inheritance tax if he outlives him, where my wife automatically gets the house and our assets tax-free if I die before she does. Things like that. It's not fair. I'm all about fairness.

Another thing that I learned is that people are people and everyone is different. I knew that, of course, all along, but I had some misconceptions and held stereotypes about gay men. Like many people, I called them "gays" until I realized the term is insulting. BHD has done well to explain how labeling hurts.

I didn't know any gay people and didn't know much about them. Then I found out that two guys in our Department are gay. They act like BHD does -- just regular guys. I had thought that if we had any gay cops, they would wash out during training or say or do things that would be noticeably ... well ... "gay." I learned how to look past the stereotypes and look at people for who they are, not for behaviors I might have been told (incorrectly) to expect from gay men. And my fellow cops who are gay will have my back and I'll have theirs -- first they are trained officers. Being gay has nothing to do with it. (I have had to sit some of my fellow officers down and explain that.)

Through this blog, I learned that the lifestyle isn't about being gay. BHD's lifestyle is being a decent, honest, hard-working, and caring man. Someone I'd like to have as a neighbor. So to sum up, I learned that there isn't a "gay lifestyle" as others have said. This newer understanding about people (gay or straight, black or white or whatever) got me appointed to a special Task Force in our County that draws together reps from county agencies with reps of various groups so we can understand each other better and suggest policy changes. (You didn't know that, did you BHD?) I enjoy it.

Thanks BHD for the information that you provide, and for the dialogue.

---------------------
Closing note from BHD: thank you, Officer X, for this great blog post and for answering my questions publicly. You embarrassed me a little bit, but thanks for the compliment on my character. I'd like to have you as a neighbor, too. Congratulations on your appointment to the community Task Force. Your attitude is spot on for this assignment. Ride safe, and thank YOU very much for your service.

Random Boot Shots

While organizing photos on my computer, every now and then I see some pics from the past that for whatever reason, recapture my attention.  Here are a few which have appeared on my website and this blog in the past. I am reposting them for no reason other than I like 'em.

Above, my Chippewa Firefighter Boots, which are a favorite for hot-weather motorcycle riding.

Above, Chippewa High-Shine Boots with Lug Soles that I saw on a cop in May, 2008 (this photo). I had lug soles added to a pair of them for myself. Great boots!

My old Wesco Boss Boots that still look and feel great, even after 20 years.

My newest pair of custom Wesco Roughout Harness Boots that are burgundy and brown in color. Very different boots that get many comments when I wear them.

My All American "Blue Knight" patrol boots. Very well-made and rugged boots made completely of leather.

My newest pair of Dehner Field Boots that a buddy thinks are "the bomb." I like them too!

My Dehner patrol boots with Vibram 100 lug soles. While these boots have shafts made of that plastic stuff called "Clarino Leather" (aka "Dehcord"), they still have a classic appearance that I enjoy wearing from time to time.

A random pair of Dehner motorcycle police patrol boots that I have seen among hundreds of pairs at police motorcycle competitions.

Life is short:  wear boots!

What Do Motorcops Wear Under Their Boots?

Another search using Google landed on my website with a question, "what do motorcops wear under their boots?"

As I believe the only "dumb question" is one not asked, here's the answer.

Ready?

It's mysterious...

Really ready?

Okay, here goes:

Socks.

Yep, socks.

Any special kind of socks? Boot socks? Cop socks? Tall socks? Short socks?

... seriously, just plain old regular socks do just fine. If the boots fit well, then all you need are a good pair of cotton/poly blend socks that you can find in any retail store or on-line. I wear "woolverine" socks that I buy via BargainOutfitters, but you can find them on-line easily almost anywhere. The socks are thick, but not massive. They are comfortable and absorb sweat.

Boot socks are called that because they are longer than regular socks. But honestly, you don't need to go to the extra expense to buy boot socks. Regular socks do fine. But always wear socks -- not bare feet. Your feet actually feel warmer if you do not wear socks, and there is also a much greater chance of developing blisters if you wear boots without socks.

Regular socks come up high enough to fit with motor breeches, so you do not need longer socks -- like boot socks -- up to the knee. As long as the socks are long enough to meet the ends of breeches (or go over the ends of breeches as shown), then regular socks work just fine.

Now you know.

Life is short: wear socks with your boots -- motorboots or otherwise!

Attitude: Confidence vs. Arrogance

I had the unfortunate experience of receiving a "present" -- a ticket -- on my first day at the new job back in November.  Like a lemming, I followed cars in front of me into the parking garage under the building.  I didn't know then (but certainly know now) that where I went in was actually the exit, and my ticket was for making an illegal left turn.

Okay, I did that -- first time, ever, have I received a citation.  I haven't even gotten a parking ticket in my entire 37 years of having a driver's license.

What bothered me most was that the cop who cited me behaved in an arrogant manner.  He laughed in my face and said, "you made an illegal turn, and I'm gotta getcha for that."  With an evil grin, he gave me the ticket and said that I could follow any of the options listed on it.

I am very understanding of the tough job that cops have to do, and am usually forgiving when a cop expresses his annoyance with the dumb things that a lot of people do.  I read a number of cop blogs and learn quite a bit from what they say and learn about their perceptions of us "citizens" (though one's country of origin and U.S. citizenship has nothing to do with it. That's just "cop speak" and they, like verbal lemmings, repeat what they hear and follow the pack.)

I would have just accepted the ticket and paid the fine if the infraction for which I was cited didn't involve having points assessed to my driving record.  Points are bad things, which can lead to higher insurance premiums for years.  I am very proud of my spotless driving record.  I really do obey the law when I drive, go the speed limit, park legally, and so forth.

Therefore, I decided to exercise my right to go to court. The court appearance was yesterday.  I pleaded "guilty with an explanation."  I admitted that I followed everyone else, and shouldn't have.  I even said that I was "guilty of being a lemming."  The judge laughed, but the cop stood there and continued to sneer. (I mean that. His nose was wrinkled and his face was in what seems to be a permanent grimace.)

I showed the judge a copy of my clean driving record, explained that it was my first day in a new location, and I was disoriented.  I apologized for my error and promised never to do it again.

The judge gave me "probation before judgment," made me pay a fine and court costs, but did not assess any points on my license.  That's really what I wanted, so I accomplished what I set out to do.

However, at the very end of my few minutes before the judge, he asked, "do you have anything else to tell me?"  With that, I told the judge that the attitude of the officer was less than professional, laughing at me and using a threatening tone.

I know you cops out there defend that behavior and think "us citizens" are a bunch of whiners.  Look, I work with a lot of cops in my civic life, and I am accustomed to the typical "cop attitude" of being confident.  There is a difference between confidence and arrogance. When it comes down to laughing and saying, "I'm gonna getcha," that did it.  So I told the judge.

I thought the judge would just dismiss it, as the judge always found in favor of the cops.  I don't question that -- cops are trained to record their observations and state them accurately.  Instead of being dismissive, though, the judge looked up and asked the cop, "did you say that?"  The cop admitted, "yes, sir."  The judge told him not to do that again.  Then I was dismissed to await my paperwork, then pay the fine, and leave.

Honestly, I think the cop adopted this attitude because he is assigned to traffic enforcement, and usually operates a motorcycle.  (Easy to spot the motorcop uniform of breeches and boots). But in winter, on the day he was laying in wait in that parking garage to nab me, he was assigned a patrol car.  I read about and hear from some bike cops I know that they detest being assigned to work in a car.  To some of them -- at least for that cop who stopped me -- that assignment seemed to affect his attitude, big-time.  Surly, borderline rude, and not professionally representing the police agency for whom he works.

I am a professional myself, and I expect to be treated professionally.  I have to say, 99% of the cops with whom I have spoken or communicated have been nothing but the utmost in professionalism.  This cop, however, was the bad apple in the bunch.  Heck, even his boots were dirty and unpolished, and his uniform was wrinkled and sloppy.  He presents an image of someone who doesn't care -- about himself or how he represents his department.

So, bike cops reading this blog:  shine your boots, get your uniforms pressed, and remember that we, the public, judge you as you judge us.  Be professional.  If we are wrong, we're wrong, and "us citizens" need to admit it when we err, but we don't need to be told, "I'm gonna getcha."  That's childish.

'nuf said, rant over.

Life is short:  admit your mistakes, correct them, and move on.

P.S.: When I was leaving the courthouse, I saw the cop who was the subject of this post leaving, also. He walked to his patrol car, parked next to the courthouse, in a specifically designated "no parking zone." Not a zone saying, "police only," but specifically saying, "no parking." I know that cops get offended when the public thinks that we think they can get by with violations for which, if we did it, we would get a ticket. But when he pulled a dumb stunt like that, it only reinforces the public perception that cops think they are above the law. Instead, they should be setting the example for others, and obey the laws they enforce.

An Image That Means "Motorcop"

The image below was used on the title page on the inside of a motorcycle magazine published by a popular motorcycle owner's group.  There was an article in the recent edition of the magazine about motorcycle cops, and was a description of their work.

I found it interesting that the image selected by a mainstream motorcycle magazine to depict a motorcop is his boot -- in this case, a Chippewa Hi-Shine -- and the badge on the tank.

It sure is a handsome boot... as photos below attest -- one of my own boot, and the one below that of a cop who attended Law Ride in 2009.

Note: ALL of these images of Chippewa Hi-Shine Boots show these boots with lug soles. Chippewa (owned by Justin Brands) does not make these boots with lug soles -- yet. Each of us arranged for a cobbler to add Vibram 100 lug soles to our respective boots. Chippewa: I hope you're watching, and take notice of the demand for lug soles on these boots!

By the way, I bought my Chip Hi-Shines from Stompers Boots of San Francisco -- best price on these boots anywhere.

Life is short:  enjoy lug-soled Chippewa Hi-Shine boots!