Bike cops. traffic (f)laws?

I saw a pair or Norfolk Police Officers riding bicycles this evening on my way home from work. (Although I almost didn't see them) They were wearing their black uniforms, black helmets, had no headlights on and were riding down the sidewalk towards the intersection i was waiting for the traffic light at. I said hello to them, they didn't respond... I sometimes wonder what it's like to be a bike cop. I've never seen a bike cop with lights that i thought were bright enough, or with light colored clothing, or riding in the street for any more than a block or 2. I wonder if they know that they are supposed to be riding in the street with traffic? I wonder what they think when they see me? A guy with a bicycle tattooed on his leg, wearing an extremely bright vest and a white helmet. Riding a 30 year old bike, in the street, with traffic. Today i was on my 77 Raleigh Supercourse that I've built up as a fixed gear (with a front brake!!!). I wonder why bike cops aren't more friendly with me... Are they bike commuters themselves? Do they enjoy riding their bikes? Why don't they seem to know/obey the traffic laws regarding bicycles? Are they picked on by the officers who drive around in the police cruisers all day? In the same manner that I am harassed by motorists? When I was hit by a car a few years back, I was referred to on the accident report as a "pedestrian" by an officer who'd been on the street for a few weeks. The training officer wasn't concerned with the cyclist being loaded into the back of the ambulance enough to help his trainee fill out the accident report accurately and completely. Why? I don't understand how my life or bicycle riding police officer's or anyone else's life is marginalized when we choose to ride a bike on the roads instead of driving. Why aren't all the Norfolk police officers trained on laws regarding bicycles? An officer directing traffic exiting a baseball game at Harbor Park asked me and my girlfriend and the couple we rode to the game with, if our flashing headlights were legal? We kinda laughed, realizing that he really didn't know...