Probably this has been covered and I can't find it, but another thread made me wonder what is the main rationale for LEOs to wear half helmets. I have half and full that I wear but wonder why that choice for LEOs?

 

I'm sure some of the LEOs will chime in but I'll guess the half helmets offer the best combination of protection, visibility, peripheral vision and being able to hear ambient sounds on and off the bike. Plus I will guess it's also easier and faster to put on and take off a half helmet compared to a 3/4 and FF helmet.

I'll also speculate that a half helmet is overall safer for the officer doing the duties he/she has being a motorcycle cop. I'd bet the helmet protecting the LEO's head is just one aspect.

 

I am a former LEO. Our departments rational on the half helmet had nothing to do with comfort or safety. It was all about public perception. They wanted the public to see our faces and that were were Police officers. In the town I lived in, they did not even have a propper motorcycle jcket to wear. You just wore your regular polyester uniform and a half helmet.

 

As a former BMW rider, where a lot of LEOs seem to be, I have heard this also. In AZ, many of the officers are now wearing flips.

 

No LEOs at all wear half-helmets in Europe. In fact very few Riders at all wear them. All the motorcycle cops I've met have worn Modular FF helmets - all the protection and when you need to speak to someone, flip up the front so they can see your face.

 

Oh well, so much for my guess. Live and learn.

 

Lol, sounded reasonable

 

A good portion of the reason may be tradition. Many firefighters had long coats, high rubber boots and leather helmets long after safer, more comfortable and more durable gear became available.

 

Communication using the microphone is also easier with a modular I think.