Do you wear your seat belt on the job?

[mpd-r]

It's a bad habit of mine. I'm a very religious seat belt user when off duty. And never wear them on duty. My department requires us to wear our seatbelts, yet very few of us do short of going code3. The first thing I was chewed out for by my FTO when I started was for fastening in. He told me "Son, you're never gone catch nobody if your buckled in. What are you going to do when someone starts shooting at us or someone starts running on you?"

I didn't really have a good, quick, answer when he asked, so from then on, I didn't wear my seatbelt.

Now that i'm on my own, I personally don't buckle up enough, but occasionally I will. I find it particularly funny that with my vest on, I can't even tell i'm wearing my seatbelt when I do have it on. On three ocasions now i've succeeded in thinking my FTO was right. Twice I tried to shove the car in park and go to jump out of the car only to be held down by the belt, of which only then did I remember was fastened. The third time I remembered the belt, unfastened it, jumped out, and whirled around as I discovered my seat belt was firmly wrapped around my gun and duty belt.

My supervisor told me that my department has started installing "Black Boxes" in the cars, with specific interest to determine if we wear our seat belts. It's not the first time i've been fed a line of BS from up high, but still, it makes me wonder if i'm best off just wearing it on duty, and practicing getting out in a hurry with it on, and drawing my weapon while unfastening the seatbelt, when I have my slow moments just to get adjusted properly.

I'm training a rookie right now, and I swear, I don't know why my FTO was more effective than I am, My rookie will not not-fasten her seat belt when she gets in. I can't convince her otherwise. She told me that she practices at home in her garage of bailing out of her seatbelt and car while drawing her gun.

Makes me wonder just which one of us is truely playing it smart.

Department policy or not, do you always buckle up?
What's your opinions of it?
Does your department have a specific policy on it? like always buckle up? Buckle up code3? what if it's something different from what we enforce on others?

I'm turning over a new leaf. My rook had me thinking. Now i'm practicing at home in my garage myself. And i'm wearing my seatbelt more. My wife had asked me one time a couple of years ago why I would write tickets to people for not wearing seatbelts, even though I didn't wear mine on duty myself. I had told her then the standard "cause i'm the POL-ese". Now I realize that i'm not so sure the double standard applies for this. But it really does make you think.

[AZLawDawg]

I always wear it, and I usually have it off before I come to a complete stop behind the violator. Old habits are hard to break though, and there are some rare instances where I'm ready to fly out of the cruiser and my belt is still on.

[Vtfuzz]

Always wear it. I believe only a fool would not. More cops (and civilians) die each year in car wrecks than anything else. As stated above, it doesn't take much to get it off just before coming to a stop, etc.

[campuscop]

I used to only wear it during the day time when others could really see me in the car. (Set a good example to the public) Now I wear it all the time due to departmental policy.

[deputy x 2]

Our dept policy mandates use of the seat belt.

I ALWAYS wear mine. I unclick it about 1/2 block prior to arriving at a call. Funny thing is, in my POV, I find myself unclicking about 1/2 block from my residence. Its a habit.

I have to agree with VTFUZZ, too many of us are killed in car wrecks.

[SammyCal1]

I never go anywhere without my seatbelt (on duty or off). I do not feel comfortable without it. Some people say that they're afraid it's going to get hung up on their gun belts, but that has never happened to me whether in the driver seat or passenger seat. It only takes 1/2 second to click on and off.

Sammy

[2209]

I always wear mine. I've had to jump out quick on a few occasions and you get used to that smooth reach down, click and clear of getting it off.

I think it comes second nature to me because I am used to wearing it and used to getting it off quick without getting it stuck on my gear and without even thinking about it.

I'll get behind someone on a traffic stop and blue light them, my seatbelt comes off and I'm ready to get out quick if need be.

I've seen too many wrecks with folks not wearing their seatbelts to not wear my own. ...on the same note, too many bad wrecks where you are sure the driver got thrown a hundred feet and is dead. You get out and start to shake your head, then some guy walks up to you without a scratch on him and says he just lost control of the car and you just have to smile and say "you were wearing your seatbelt weren't you."

Seatbelts save lives and I'll be darned if I'm not going to wear it, and on the same note, I'll be darnded if I can't unclick it and jump out after a thug that runs from me.

Be safe folks. Do what works best for you.

[jdub1242]

I had a drunk make a left turn in front of me while enroute to a burglary call. The wreck did $17,000 to a 1999 CV with 50,000 miles on it. Thats a lot of damage. Speed limit on the road was 45 mph. He hit me near head-on trying to turn into some apartments at an estimated 30 mph. Luckily I was wearing my seatbelt and the only negative result was a melted stripe across my dept issued jacket from the friction of the belt. The other driver suffered a compound fracture of his leg and his passenger had internal injuries.
WEAR YOUR SEATBELTS.
I completely wore out the seatbelt in my last car from latching/unlatching it. It literally would not reel itself back in without a little help. Practice it enough and it becomes second nature just like drawing your pistol. I challenged a new officer once to a race out of our cars. I can undo my belt and get out faster than most officers. Wear them guys, your family will thank you.

[Prangler]

I wear mine 99.9% of the time. As I mentioned in another thread, I work in a small town, politics are a pain, if I cite someone for no belt and I dont have one, not only is that a complaint, I get written up, and it is kind of hypocrytical in my book. On top of that, why not wear them, they can only help you...the take all but a tenth of a second to get off if you got to get out of the crusier in a hurry. Better safe than sorry.

[1042 Trooper]

Do you wear your ballistic vest on the job? ;)

[1sgkelly]

Yes, I'm in VA and these cops are gearing up for "click it or ticket".

:o :o :o

:D

[minwah]

My b/f never wore his - "can't catch someone running from you if you have to unbuckle first". He was killed last April 25th in a rollover crash. Please wear your seatbelts.

[Seawolf]

I don't see how an FTO could ever ding a Recruit for actually wearing thier belt. That amazes me.
We have way more Officer involved crashes than we do shootings.

With my belt on I can still duck down behind the dash if I needed to and my chances of catching some 18 year old track star in a tank top and sneakers is already pretty slim as long as I am carrying the 40lbs of Vest and Batbelt I have to lug around.
I'm to that age where I stay in the car as long as possible in a foot pursuit and let them run out of juice. You want to dart out of the car? ok, I'll let you out and drive around the block.lol

[Seawolf]

Sorry to hear that. hope you are doing ok.

My b/f never wore his - "can't catch someone running from you if you have to unbuckle first". He was killed last April 25th in a rollover crash. Please wear your seatbelts.

[Kieth M.]

Department policy...I wear mine, religeously. I've been slightly injured in crashes that would have been much, much, worse for me if I had no belt on.

One of our darkest tragedies took place, in 1988, when two patrol cars collided and went into a construction site ditch (deep enough to place both cars below street level). Three officers were killed - they were not wearing their seatbelts. The lone survivor had just secured his belt seconds before the collision.

Yet, I still hear the, "It's uncomfortable" or the "If it's my time, it's my time" arguments. Strange how those "My time..." arguments are only about dying. They are never about being paralyzed from the waist, or neck, down...crappin' into a sack, never having sex again, or just having someone turn the pages of your book so you can read.

[sflcop]

Our policy states that we must wear our safety belt. Furthermore, if we get in an accident and do not have it on there goes 50% of your bennies. I am not a big safety belt person, especially with all of my gear on... however I am not going to loose 50% for being stupid. I will take it off right b4 I get to a call, or on a traffic stop right before the blues go on.

[ppd101]

I guess i'm the only idiot in this thread or the only one willing to say, while on duty, I don't wear it. The only time I do, is when I'm traveling a long distance and I won't be getting out for some time. It's true, seat belts should be used, but for officer safety it splits two ways. With your heart pumping and adrenaline flowing, you will forget to unclick that belt.

I also don't wear my belt because I have found it very difficult to draw my gun from a level 3 holster with the belt wrapped around it. I don't want pictures of me being taken after I was shot with my seat belt on and my gun on my holster. Because I could just hear the comments "at least he was wearing his seat belt"

And it's not hypercritical to write a citizen for not using a seat belt. Because they are not going to need to get out of a vehicle in a spit second like officers sometimes do. But I normally only give warning anyways.

As for the little black boxes, go to junk yard and cut a seat belt clamp off and carry it with you. Not like I have done this or anything.

[Squader01]

Usually I have mine off during patrol, we have alot of jump runners where I work, so it's habit.

Only time I do wear my saftey belt is when I work the Highway. We have rotating shifts, so on the times I'm stuck with very early mornings, and 9-5 worker commute traffic, I hit the Highways and make like Ponch. You know, except I don't have a motorcycle, But I do wear cool shades even if it's cloudy.. :cool:

[shadow1actual]

I wear mine just because I'm not taking the chance.

I have a question though; do you buckle up your prisoners?

[Five-0fromSoCal]

[QUOTE=Seawolf]I don't see how an FTO could ever ding a Recruit for actually wearing thier belt. That amazes me.

I know guys are going to disagree with me on this one. Technically we cant get dinged, but guys on our dept. make fun of guys that wear seatbelts. Were unofficially trained in the field to not wear it. However, I see guys wearing their belt a little more now. I try and put it on during pursuits and while driving on the freeway. I know guys also say that more guys are killed on t/c's. Our dept. has had way more guys killed with guns than t/c's though. We're trained to always have our window rolled down (no matter how hot or cold) and ready to jump out of the car. I guess its a matter of training yourself to do it. Ironically, I feel naked without my seatbelt while off duty.

[DOAcop38]

Department policy...I wear mine, religeously. I've been slightly injured in crashes that would have been much, much, worse for me if I had no belt on.

One of our darkest tragedies took place, in 1988, when two patrol cars collided and went into a construction site ditch (deep enough to place both cars below street level). Three officers were killed - they were not wearing their seatbelts. The lone survivor had just secured his belt seconds before the collision..


Remember passing the scene of the T/C, near 5th st if I recall ( was working City hall security back then) Ditto on policy, which I believe is policy throughout the city of L.A., whether civie or sworn personnel.I remember part of drivers training (EVOC) at the Pomona fair race track,we had to watch a training video specifically on veh .operations with the specific hand motion to buckle and unbuckle the belt for rapid exit of the vehicle........

[BIG ROB]

I always wear mine on or off duty. More officers die each year from vehicle crashes than getting shot. It's common sense!!! I have seen it first hand, a State Trooper ejected from a motor vehicle lying dead in the road with his bullets scattered on the ground from his weapon. His name tag stuck to the bottom of my boot. Doing the deadmans snore. Bleeding from every place you can think of and his lip stuck to the gaurd rail. Brothers, it's just not worth it.

[kannahspapa]

I always wear mine on or off. Our SOP echoes state law and requires that we wear it. I created our FTO program back in '87 and I still hear officers repeating things that I've told them thru the years. One of the things that I hear is, how can you write them for it if you're not wearing it either. It's a fact wearing seat belts save lives, so let's wear them. That way we can all reach retirement and look back and say the same thing we've all heard from old-timers...... BACK WHEN I WAS ON THE STREET.

Sgt. Ray Sollars #702
Paris Police Dept.
Paris IL.
26 years on duty

[rookie2812]

I guess I too, am one of only a few idiots who doesn't wear a seatbelt while at work. SOP and state law say you will wear one, and I agree it's a smart idea...I guess I should start to get in the habit. Usually if I'm on the highway or in a pursuit I'll try and put it on, otherwise I'm in and out of the car so much it gets to be a pain. I remember in FTO, (each is different) but all of mine didn't seem to care or ding me for not wearing it...I don't think any of them wore it either. Bad habit, maybe it's time to change.

[rookie2812]

FROM ODMP: As of 23 MAY 06
Total Line of Duty Deaths: 58
Aircraft accident: 2
Automobile accident: 17
Bomb: 1
Duty related illness: 2
Gunfire: 19
Gunfire (Accidental): 1
Heart attack: 6
Motorcycle accident: 2
Struck by vehicle: 3
Vehicular assault: 4
Vehicle pursuit: 1

Looks like auto accidents are a close second...A good reason to buckle up

[kadetklapp]

Since my dad died I have gotten a nasty habit of not wearing it. I don't wear it on duty, I don't wear it off-duty, the ONLY exceptions being on long trips. I know it's wrong, but I simply hate wearing it. It's uncomfortable, and even more so when I've got all my gear on. I wish I would get back into the habit of wearing it....

[Rohan]

Our G.O.'s require us to wear ours at all times. Failure to do so has resulted in more than a couple of officers getting up to 5 days off without pay. That is for the first offense. But our G.O.'s does outline times when it's acceptable to not wear it. Like when you are looking for someone on foot and you might have to jump out. Or late at night when you are just putting around doing door checks in and out of the car.

[UPNYPO]

I don't wear the seatbelt when working. I wear it religiously in my own vehicle.

[Soon2Be]

My b/f never wore his - "can't catch someone running from you if you have to unbuckle first". He was killed last April 25th in a rollover crash. Please wear your seatbelts.(sorry, I know this is squad only) I'll remove if I've stepped on toes. I'm so sorry for you.

minwah, I can't convince my b/f to wear his - on duty or off. I keep asking him whats more important - catching a b/g or or being safe.

He cares about officer safety issues, just not as far as his seatbelt is concerned. It doesn't make sense to me...

I wish he'd listen to me.

[SWATcop]

I ALWAYS wear my seat belt when I'm working. PERIOD. No exceptions, no excuses.

[1042 Trooper]

I guess I too, am one of only a few idiots who doesn't wear a seatbelt while at work. SOP and state law say you will wear one, and I agree it's a smart idea...I guess I should start to get in the habit. Usually if I'm on the highway or in a pursuit I'll try and put it on, otherwise I'm in and out of the car so much it gets to be a pain. I remember in FTO, (each is different) but all of mine didn't seem to care or ding me for not wearing it...I don't think any of them wore it either. Bad habit, maybe it's time to change.
Waring that vest is a pain, too, ain't it? Even more so. Your FTO was negligent in allowing this. They let you form a deadly habit. Shame on them.

[1042 Trooper]

I don't wear the seatbelt when working.
Do you wear a vest?

[UPNYPO]

I wouldn't go to work without it. (Vest)

[1042 Trooper]

I wouldn't go to work without it. (Vest)
Why? I mean, your far more likely to need that seat belt than that vest. The seat belt is far more comfortable than the vest. So, why wear a vest and not a seat belt?

Explain your logic to me. :confused:

[UPNYPO]

Just never have. There was no "wear it don't wear" question, I just don't wear it. The state law doesn't require it so, I've never worn it.

Would you go to work without any bullets? It's not likely that you'll need them so why go to work with them.....probably because you would go to work without them. That would be insane. That is why i wear the vest. B/C I would rather have and not need it then need it and not have it.

The same could be said for the seatbelt. There is no good reason why one shouldn't take the proper precautions to ensure one goes home but to each their own.

[1042 Trooper]

Just never have. There was no "wear it don't wear" question, I just don't wear it. The state law doesn't require it so, I've never worn it.

Would you go to work without any bullets? It's not likely that you'll need them so why go to work with them.....probably because you would go to work without them. That would be insane. That is why i wear the vest. B/C I would rather have and not need it then need it and not have it.

The same could be said for the seatbelt. There is no good reason why one shouldn't take the proper precautions to ensure one goes home but to each their own.
To each their own? Hmm. Got a wife? Kids? Wonder how they feel.

[UPNYPO]

Nope. No kids, no wife. I understand where your coming from though. I was thinking about it today at work. I think I'll wear it tomorrow.

[jwise]

I was trained to NOT wear it. My FTO clearly stated to me, that I was NOT to strap myself into the vehicle. He viewed it as a safety issue.

To his credit, he was training me on deep nights, when we did a lot of blacked out driving through residential and business areas looking for burglars. We weren't running traffic on the highways, or driving through high traffic areas. When we were moving quick, both of us would reach around and buckle-up.

I have now returned to "always buckled up." My wife had a large part to play in getting me to buckle up, as well as simply looking at the reality of the situation. I've gotten snagged a few times trying to get out of the vehicle, but it's worth it. What's one street punk who gets away compared to losing a fellow officer?

[1042 Trooper]

I was trained to NOT wear it. My FTO clearly stated to me, that I was NOT to strap myself into the vehicle. He viewed it as a safety issue.

To his credit, he was training me on deep nights, when we did a lot of blacked out driving through residential and business areas looking for burglars. We weren't running traffic on the highways, or driving through high traffic areas. When we were moving quick, both of us would reach around and buckle-up.

I have now returned to "always buckled up." My wife had a large part to play in getting me to buckle up, as well as simply looking at the reality of the situation. I've gotten snagged a few times trying to get out of the vehicle, but it's worth it. What's one street punk who gets away compared to losing a fellow officer?
Shame on your FTO - he di d you a disservice. Seems you were smarter in the end. Good for you.

[towncop]

My city has an SOP that if you're in a city-owned vehicle, the seatbelt WILL be on. Now, for those of you that are worried about not being able to draw your weapon from a Level III holster, I suggest you get a seatbelt extender from your local Ford dealer (or whichever manufacturer you use). It simply clicks into the latch, has about 2 1/2 inches of extra strap and then another latch for you to click the safety catch into. With that on, the release button is more toward the front of my dutybelt and gives me PLENTY of room to draw my weapon from my SECURITY HOLSTER. Also, with the positioning of the buckle, once it's snapped, the lap-belt/shoulder harness slides quickly away.

I've used one of these items for about six years now and have NEVER, EVER gotten caught by the belt charging after someone on a foot chase that started with me in my car. I've also been in a couple of on-duty accidents. One involving a drunk driver that rear-ended me and DEMOLISHED my vehicle. Was wearing it then too.

I too remove the belt about a block away from a call location or right before I initiate a traffic stop. If they flee in the vehicle, the belt is put right back on. Just do it, over and over. It'll become second nature.

[towncop]

With your heart pumping and adrenaline flowing, you will forget to unclick that belt.

Absolutely not true. Muscle-memory. Practice doing it. It's instinctive for me to unbuckle mine.



I also don't wear my belt because I have found it very difficult to draw my gun from a level 3 holster with the belt wrapped around it. I don't want pictures of me being taken after I was shot with my seat belt on and my gun on my holster.

Read my above post about the seatbelt extender.



And it's not hypercritical to write a citizen for not using a seat belt. Because they are not going to need to get out of a vehicle in a spit second like officers sometimes do. But I normally only give warning anyways.

It absolutely IS hypocritical. At one time in Indiana, police officer were exempt from wearing seatbelts on duty. Stated as such in the Indiana Administrative Code. That little provision is no longer there. Set the example.


As for the little black boxes, go to junk yard and cut a seat belt clamp off and carry it with you. Not like I have done this or anything.

I'm not even going to touch that comment. :rolleyes:

[Rohan]

Nope. No kids, no wife. I understand where your coming from though. I was thinking about it today at work. I think I'll wear it tomorrow.
I'm in the same boat. No wife no kids. No other family but the
family hounddog. I am an orphan otherwise. But you are also more likely to get paralyzed in an accident. Wear you belt everytime. Please. I get tired reading about our "blood" dying because they won't wear one.

[Rohan]

I've used one of these items for about six years now and have NEVER, EVER gotten caught by the belt charging after someone on a foot chase that started with me in my car.
I have on a couple of times. I even was cold one night and zipped my coat up. when I tried to get out man was I stuck. That one got away!

[UPNYPO]

You know I can't say that was much different. I wore it almost every time I was in the car today. I might just start wearing it...

[peacemaker120]

I believe safety comes first. I've responded on many scenes where a fatalities had occured with MVA's. There have also been accid. with serious injuries where the driver and or passengers were not wearing seatbelts. Occupants were ejected from vehicle. It's not worth being unsecured. I've learned from other peoples mistakes.

It's a bad habit of mine. I'm a very religious seat belt user when off duty. And never wear them on duty. My department requires us to wear our seatbelts, yet very few of us do short of going code3. The first thing I was chewed out for by my FTO when I started was for fastening in. He told me "Son, you're never gone catch nobody if your buckled in. What are you going to do when someone starts shooting at us or someone starts running on you?"

I didn't really have a good, quick, answer when he asked, so from then on, I didn't wear my seatbelt.

Now that i'm on my own, I personally don't buckle up enough, but occasionally I will. I find it particularly funny that with my vest on, I can't even tell i'm wearing my seatbelt when I do have it on. On three ocasions now i've succeeded in thinking my FTO was right. Twice I tried to shove the car in park and go to jump out of the car only to be held down by the belt, of which only then did I remember was fastened. The third time I remembered the belt, unfastened it, jumped out, and whirled around as I discovered my seat belt was firmly wrapped around my gun and duty belt.

My supervisor told me that my department has started installing "Black Boxes" in the cars, with specific interest to determine if we wear our seat belts. It's not the first time i've been fed a line of BS from up high, but still, it makes me wonder if i'm best off just wearing it on duty, and practicing getting out in a hurry with it on, and drawing my weapon while unfastening the seatbelt, when I have my slow moments just to get adjusted properly.

I'm training a rookie right now, and I swear, I don't know why my FTO was more effective than I am, My rookie will not not-fasten her seat belt when she gets in. I can't convince her otherwise. She told me that she practices at home in her garage of bailing out of her seatbelt and car while drawing her gun.

Makes me wonder just which one of us is truely playing it smart.

Department policy or not, do you always buckle up?
What's your opinions of it?
Does your department have a specific policy on it? like always buckle up? Buckle up code3? what if it's something different from what we enforce on others?

I'm turning over a new leaf. My rook had me thinking. Now i'm practicing at home in my garage myself. And i'm wearing my seatbelt more. My wife had asked me one time a couple of years ago why I would write tickets to people for not wearing seatbelts, even though I didn't wear mine on duty myself. I had told her then the standard "cause i'm the POL-ese". Now I realize that i'm not so sure the double standard applies for this. But it really does make you think.

[1042 Trooper]

Funny. I remember all the lame arguments about vests when they first came out too, and all the guys who said...

"I'll get heat stroke."
"It'll slow me down."
"It'll bind me up in a fight."
"I can't shoot with it on."
"I won't be able to get out the car fast enough"
"I'm allergic to this Kevlar stuff."
"It's just too uncomfortable."

And so on and so on and so on......

Beats the hell out of a bullet. A seat belt beats the hell out of eating a windshield.

'Nuff said. :)

[Sgt Lobster]

Police officer in the UK have an exemption from wearing seat belts whilst on duty, however I wear mine and encourage my officers to so likewise.

[sdb29]

I wear mine all the time. I drive a marked Explorer, and I've seen how easy they roll. I remember seeing a video about the San Francisco PD. About 10 years ago they were evaluating Explorers for use on patrol and rolled onne over about five times at 35mph. Ever since then I wear the belt.

[Frank Booth]

I wear it unless I have a prisoner in the back, then I make it a point not to wear it.

[texaschickeee]

always....aleays


always.
my moms boss growing up was paralized in a car wreck, no seat belt,
my next door neighbor and her mom...both hurt and hospitalized over a week...down thestreeet..no belt.


always, no thought no mater whos car Im in..it gets clicked.

[Shotwell]

I try to wear it.....do I usually though? No. Have I received citizen complaints on it? Yes. Were they struggling for crap to break my stones about? Absolutely. Policy or not it is law now in every state. Guys here have the "cheater" belt....which is a shorty version that plugs right into the female end to stop the constant seat belt chime.

[UPNYPO]

Policy or not it is law now in every state.


It is not a law in NYS that police have to wear their seatbelt.

In fact Taxi cab drivers don't have to either.

[UPNYPO]

wrong thread. SOrry

[C.I.HOG]

Where mine all the time. I have adjusted to dept. policy and set the example. In florida we can now stop and ticket someone for not having there seatbelt on without having any other infractions. Don't make excuses thats all I hear. If you are chasing someone thats a no brainer wear it. We can always set up a perimeter. If you are in a situation that you are driving and you might have to draw your weapon have it ready (unbuckeled) and move the seatbelt so you can access the weapon. Go to the officer down page and read the traffic fatalities I don't want my name there.