PoliceLink

Does your department have an explicit policy?

We also have a strict policy on wearing seatbelts. There are a few, specific tactically related times a seat belt isn't needed. Other than that, buckle up. We've been out there long enough to know, they do save lives.

YOU HAVE SEEN THE RESULTS OF NOT WEARING ONE.WHY WOULD YOU CHOSE NOT TO?

THere are times when you  need to get in and out frequenlty so I believe that under those circumstances it should be permitted. If you gotta be ready to run seatbeltsare O U T ... Otherwise  always And of course we all comply with every departmental policy ?!

Seat belts should be worn, however there are some tacticle situations when you would remove the belt.  We should be held to a higher standard and use common sense.

I have been wondering about this for a while. I've been on 3 ride along and only 1 officer wore a seat belt. Additionally, when watching shows like Cops or Rookies I noticed most of the officers don't wear their safety belts. To me, it's common sense to wear one in most situations. Since I have seen so many officers not wearing seat belts, I often wondered if depts had policies against officer's wearing seat belts. Glad this post was started to clarify it for me. 

Guys, this is so subjective in the way the question is presented. ( no insult intended, just a way to clarify the question and therfore the answers)

Consider the following situations;

#1 - Routine Patrol

#2 - Actively engaged in a street sweep for a violent child molester who just escaped custody  (minimum speeds city driving etc) 

#3 - High speed pursuit during a 'normal tour' ..

So there are many questions to answer BEFORE  you can answer the question Should  I WEAR my seatbelt. It is very similar to asking What is the best pistol??It needs some quantification first. So here goes...

Comments;

#1 -Yes, always wear, the odds are that you will have plenty of time to remove your belt and respond to almost any situation

#2 - I WOULD NOT WEAR MINE- Why ? In such a situation the odds of catching the perp in a foot pursuit is already against you. To have to remove your belt prior to exiting the vehicle makes it a sure bet the perp is in the wind..

#3- Again, normal patrol you end up in a high speed pursuit or an assist , GOT time to buckle up ? Probably not ..

While this in no way covers all situations, it does not consider dept policy etc IT DOES help quantify the WHY and WHEN of should I consider NOT wearing. As i originally stated WHY would you NOT wear your belt after responding to so many accidents with PI due to no belts or even with no PI WHAT WOULD have been the conditions of the passengers had they NOT been wearing their belts?? Does your dept insurance cover you in the event  you are NOT bucked up and get injured ? I've seen dumber exemptions.

Again, my opinion only ...

I don't want my chief to tell my wife he would have come home if he had been buckled up.

the seatbelt is just as important as your vest. If you don't wear it you are stupid.........

charles81- I think they have come pretty close to permitting some individual decision making as well as addressing the need for seatbelts MOST OF THE TIME. Again, there is no reason, nor do I chose, NOT to wear one  99% of the time they save lives. I have to pretty much agree with the policy. Although, as with ALL policies, good intent can almost Always go awry but on the other hand, it protects you against some lawyer denying your family any benefits b/c you were in vilolation of some obscure dept policy. It doesn't happen so much anymore? but it has and it can.... Thanks For listening..

Great Point sgt405 !

Seat belts save lives....so why not wear it?

Seatbelts? It's a no brainer. Wear'em.

I used to wear a seatbelt extended so I could hit the release button faster rather than reach down between the console.

Two, if you don't wear a seatbelt and are in an accident, our agency will not cover your medical expenses. Period.

Sound firm enough?

I am going to say always wear. When I respond to calls its stays on until I am about 5 seconds from putting it in park. That way no one has a jump on me, and I didnt create an emergency while responding to an emergency. At the end of the day, I GO HOME.

bfriskey says ...

The sarge        Thanks -  As I was warning others about such policies I was hoping an actual case would surface  THANK YOU - Not knowing could prevent a LEO (or for that matter ANYONE) from receiving or at least delaying his/her benefits-, when needing them the most. The worst part of this whole discussion is the violation is uaually a result of the LEO going the extra mile, -- As I said, I wear them 99.9% of the time OR

MORE IMPORTANTLY- I risk losing my BENEFITS .1% of the TIME, is it really worth the reduced reaction time ?? NO!!

bfriskey said-

" protects you against some lawyer denying your family any benefits b/c you were in violation of some obscure dept policy".

 

Question;

Anyone out there know of a departmentwhere your HEALTH AND LIFE INSURANCE WOULD BE DENIED by not wearing your seat belt when req'd by dept policy ???? It would be a subdued little statement such as " if , at any time ,the officer was not performing his/her duties in accordance with prescribed depoartmental guidelines etc etc etc".........

The answer is yes, the Military will deny benefits if you are not following policy. For example, on-duty, government vehicle, if you are in an accident and you weren't wearing seatbelts, your medical can be denied, not 100% sure, but I think that they can make your insurance pick up cost of vehicle too. Same thing, military policy on a motorcycle is long sleeves, pants, boots, helmet and reflective gear, if you wreck without it...your on your own.

The seat belt does not impede my duties and reponsibilities and as my vehicle is slowng I reach over and unbuckle as I'm coming to a stop, and no time is lost. Our laws do not excempt LEOs.

No my deaprtment does not have a policy on wearing seatbelts but I where mine at all times. I hear alot of officers say they don't want to wear it because they might have jump out of the car real quick or have to pull their weapon while they are still seated. I was trained in the academy on how press the unlock button of the seatbelt with my right hand, sweep it off with my left and at the same time draw my weapon. Yes this technique takes practice but it is very useful for many of reasons. NOTE: DO NOT PRACTICE WITH THE WINDOW UP BECAUSE IT WILL BREAK!!!!