Motorcyclists and non-riders , I would like opinions on this story

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

Okay, Tom...the guy was speeding, doing 100+ on a crotch rocket...why would any cop automatically think it was a gun situation and pull his weapon out of his holster? Do you do that every time you stop someone for speeding or running a red light? I think the cop went way overboard on his reaction to a guy on a crotch rocket...we've all seen them flying down the highway at 100+...you should see what they're like on I-95 coming out of Miami...why does that warrent this cop pulling out his piece automatically? Do you do that for traffic stops? Just cause someone's doing 100?

Remember that we have the benefit of knowing the context of the motorcyclist's actions while watching the video. The cop, on the other hand, likely does not know why the cyclist is going 140+ MPH. Could he have just committed a forcible felony, (i.e., robbed a bank, killed his ex-wife, etc)? The cop doesn't know. Could he be willing to kill to avoid being caught if he did just commit a crime? The cop doesn't know. We do know because we have the luxury of seeing the video from a hot-dog cycling website...the cop did not have that luxury.

In this situation, I would have had my sidearm unholstered and "at the ready" until I felt the danger of the unknown had passed. It seems to me that is exactly what this cop did. Should he have yelled "police" as he approached? Absolutely, but fear and adrenaline sometimes make people act with a "survival" instinct first.

And without the benefit of knowing the context of the motorcyclist's actions, as we do after the fact, I completely disagree with the idea that this cop should have "known" for a fact that his guy wasn't running from something.

[aich75013]

Originally Posted by icehog3

In this situation, I would have had my sidearm unholstered and "at the ready" until I felt the danger of the unknown had passed. It seems to me that is exactly what this cop did. Should he have yelled "police" as he approached? Absolutely, but fear and adrenaline sometimes make people act with a "survival" instinct first.

While I agree and can definately understand your point, I have to admit that having someone pull a gun, and not immediately identifying themselves as a PO would scare the $#!+ out of me.
(I don't ride a bike because I'm afraid the ability to go that fast might have an influence on the way I drive.)

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by aich75013

While I agree and can definately understand your point, I have to admit that having someone pull a gun, and not immediately identifying themselves as a PO would scare the $#!+ out of me.
(I don't ride a bike because I'm afraid the ability to go that fast might have an influence on the way I drive.)

I agree Adrian, that he should have identified himself sooner, though I also understand that all this happens in a fraction of a second, rather than the leisurely pace of Monday morning quarterbacking.

[cobra03]

This all boils down to the fact that the knuckle head was driving like an azz. No one made him drive like that. It was a choice he made and he paid the price.This would not have been an issue if he was obeying the law.I have no sympathy for him . He's lucky they didnt have to scape him up off the pavement after he wrecked.

[RGD.]

Not targeting you Tom - just a convenient quote:

Originally Posted by icehog3

I agree Adrian, that he should have identified himself sooner, though I also understand that all this happens in a fraction of a second, rather than the leisurely pace of Monday morning quarterbacking.

For the people saying he should have identified himself sooner - jeez, he does that in 4 seconds according to the timer on the video.

The suspect is doing something he does not want him to do: backing up in a running bike. He gives a command three times followed by "State Police". Seems pretty fast to me.

Also if you look at the long version of the video - at 3 minutes in the biker turns and looks behind him. He knew damn good and well the State Troopers were there. I'm in Maryland frequently and I haven't seen an unmarked State car that didn't have dash and/or grill lights in it yet.
Also the trooper never brought his gun up to bear - and he put it away as soon as the bike was turned off.

People can argue this all day but it's still gonna end up State Trooper - 1, Idiot Biker - 0.



Ron

[yourchoice]

Originally Posted by CasaDooley

My thoughts;
Cop-1
Bad guy-0

Originally Posted by RGD.

People can argue this all day but it's still gonna end up State Trooper - 1, Idiot Biker - 0.

's

Other posts with this POV already said everything else I would say.

[Starscream]

Originally Posted by jitzy

If you look at the video the marked car was right there also, he didn't come later he was right there so yes this jackass knew what he was doing. Like I said as for pulling the gun, if you run from the cops theres usually a reason. I would of had my firearm out in that situation too and like him holstered it when I saw I didn't need it out.

Only thing I saw wrong was him not identifying himself. But with the marked car directly behind the rider, it's common sense to know who the guy in front of him was.

[yourchoice]

Originally Posted by andysutherland

common sense ...

There's a concept! Since he was going 140 and doing wheelies on the highway, it seems apparent it's something he was lacking.

[RGD.]

Originally Posted by aich75013

. . . I have to admit that having someone pull a gun, and not immediately identifying themselves as a PO would scare the $#!+ out of me.. . .

And I can tell you that even when they do identify themselves it still makes you want to wet your panties. About 20 years ago I was doing some property management work over in Arlington. Was in the house with two of my guys for about 15 minutes. Went to go back out to my van, opened the front door and was greeted by two service revolvers pointed straight at me from Arlington's finest. Seems someone forget to turn off the security system and failed to mention to me that the home had one.

Ron