Officer with no hat

[Fury]

...and don't forget the whistle of Authority...

We really need to stop feeding the monkeys. This is how the bg's know about body armour.

Yes...I did forget to mention the whistle. Actually, anjel (Angel is spelled with a g, by the way) I would suggest, if you are ever stopped in the future, make sure the Officer knows you know about that Arizona Hat Docterine, and that he cannot write you a ticket without his hat on. Also ask him about his whistle, because, although I can't find the section right now, it is required as well. More than likely he or she will quickly realize they have made a mistake, and send you on your way. It's happened to me more times than I can count.

[Laww]

My agency does in fact require us to wear our stetsons, or "hat" as you so quaintly put it, at all times when in uniform to identify ourselves as "State Troopers." Where the whole ticket will be dismissed if we don't have them on is beyond me. If it is extremely windy or if we are making a rapid exit from our vehicle to chase a suspect or some other extreme measure then that is obviously overlooked. The "hat" is certainly not a prerequisite to you receiving a valid citation for breaking the law. I am a state trooper 24/7 and can stop you and write you just as valid a citation in my civilian attire. So will I put on my stetson with a polo shirt and jeans? Hardly, but you can bet you will still be required to stand in court on my citation, or there will be a documented FTA on your record and you just might see me again at 0230 in the morning knocking on your door with your bench warrant in my hands and a smile on my face...

As far as addressing your concern about him standing where "you can't see his face", it is just good tactical positioning on his part, he doesn't know you or what you are capable of anymore than you know him. The difference is he left that traffic stop in that moment and you keep re-living it.

[retdetsgt]

The greatest day in the history of my dept was around 1977 when the chief made hats optional. We had Sgts who's only purpose on earth was to sneak around and try to catch cops not wearing them up until then. Afterwards, all they had to do was drink coffee, I guess.

In 1974, we had a huge battle between cops and outlaw bikers at a bar here. At least 30 cops were there fighting and arresting members of two different clubs that had been partying together. I came out of the place covered in blood (not mine thankfully) with a biker in cuffs and a Lt was standing outside by the door. Instead of asking if everyone was alright, do you need more help, he asked me where my hat was.

My answer is buried in a letter in my personnel file somewhere.

[Laww]

My answer is buried in a letter in my personnel file somewhere.

ROFLMAO!!! That was priceless! That made my whole day! Thanks!!

[Nole795]

I once pulled a guy over for speeding and when he got out he started singing the national anthem. Without thinking, I took off my hat in a sign of respect as he sang our beloved song. When he finished, he pointed out that I was not wearing my hat. I had to let him go.

Now, every time I stop someone, I put on my IPOD and turn the ABBA music really high so I cant hear the driver.

Whose the smart guy now...

[Chef_Au]

I have heard if an office pulls you he/she has to have hat while giving you ticket

Just how does my office
a: pull me (soo many wrong things to say)
b: how does my office wear a hat while writing tickets

If only I could work out how my office mastered the art of writing.....

I was once chastised by a magistrate for no pants, but never no hat. There is a strict rule here though, no hat = no laws. Thank god, we are not a lawless, hatless society. Anarchy would reign....

[DCF]

Only if it is a merkin!

chuckle, chuckle

[greg72982]

I was once chastised by a magistrate for no pants, but never no hat.

If I had a dime for everytime that happened...

[tcop733]

RDS, I actually worked for a county agency in the 90's as a traffic enforcement deputy. We had to wear our cowboy hats every time we made a traffic stop or worked an accident. When I first started we only had one Sgt. for the whole patrol and traffic divisions. This BOZO actually followed us around from a distance. He would park a quarter mile away and watch our every move just waiting for us not to wear our hats. I seriously think the guy received some form of sexual gratification if he could get on the radio and ask if your head was getting cold.

[retdetsgt]

I seriously think the guy received some form of sexual gratification if he could get on the radio and ask if your head was getting cold.

We had a couple exactly like that. Of course both went right up in rank. One retired as an asst/chief. It was funny, he got a job as chief of Missoula, MT and lasted about 2 months. His chicken**** attitude created such a rebellion in the dept. that the city fired him immediately. When he dies, they'll be maybe three cops, if that at his funeral.

The other guy retired as a captain. Just before he retired, the house he was building burned down before it was completed enough to get insurance on it. They put an envelope in detectives where we had about 100+ people working to take up a collection for him. After a week, the envelope had about a buck and a half in it.

[Creeker]

Back in the early 90's, we had a local City Agency mandate that if a Cop got sent to a Domestic, he was required to put on his issued riot helmet before arriving at the call.

It didn't last long.