Loading...
SOP-4 Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycle ProgramRevised: January 13, 2021 Police Services Division SOP-4 September 24, 2009 SUBJECT: Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycle Program Training, Deployment and Maintenance Procedures PURPOSE: Dual Purpose Police Patrol motorcycles are a valuable and effective addition to any police department. They allow frequent patrols and quick response to locations that must normally be accessed on foot. Our city parks, bicycle paths, creek paths, school campuses, golf courses, railroad tracks and industrial complexes are often places where criminals frequently loiter in and about. Assaults, narcotic activity, graffiti and other crimes are often committed in these locations. Also, criminals often flee to these areas while evading law enforcement. Dual purpose police motorcycles can be used to effectively provide in-view patrol of these areas ordinarily perceived as dangerous, desolate areas that are seemingly neglected and unimportant to the Police Department. Police agencies large and small have been developing and utilizing Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycle programs across the nation with great success. The purpose of this policy is to safely, effectively and efficiently govern the training, use and maintenance of the Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycles. A properly structured program of policies and procedures will help our department take full advantage of this resource. I. DEFINITION Dual Purpose Police Motorcycles are motorcycles designed for use both on and off highway. Typically, they are manufactured as dirt bikes, but with necessary street lights added for on highway use. They are then outfitted for police use by adding emergency lights and siren, as well as appropriate insignias and police markings. II. REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION a) Sworn Personnel who intend to use the Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycles must meet some basic criteria before entering the initial training program. These include possession of a valid California class Ml motorcycle endorsement or a valid motorcycle instruction permit. Prior to completion of the initial training, Sworn Personnel must have passed the DMV motorcycle practical exam and receive an M1 endorsement. b) Those who wish to enter the initial training must also be of sufficient physical stature to safely support the Dual Purpose motorcycle on uneven terrain while seated on the Revised: January 13, 2021 motorcycle, and must be able to safely return a fallen motorcycle from the ground to an upright position without assistance III. INITIAL TRAINING Prior to solo deployment of the Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycles, operators must have completed the initial training course checklist, administered by a department designated instructor. These instructors are chosen by the Department based on their previous experience with on and off highway motorcycles. Operators must receive training from the instructors and demonstrate proficiency in each of the tasks on the training checklist. IV. CERTIFICATION Upon successful completion of the initial training, the operator will be issued a completed checklist signed by the instructor. This certificate shall be given to the department Training Coordinator and placed in the operator's training records. The operator will then be added to the list of approved Dual Purpose Patrol Motorcycle Operators on the shared drive. Operators are advised to maintain a copy of the certificate in the event of a misplaced certificate. V. RECURRENT TRAINING As staffing and schedules permit, it is advised that operators participate in annual training rides either in-house or with surrounding allied agencies. VI. DEPLOYMENT a) Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycles are to be kept in a constant state of readiness. Patrol Officers may deploy them at the discretion of the supervisor for immediate response to an incident requiring their use. As staffing permits, they may be deployed for focused patrol assignments. Officers will notify their supervisor prior to deploying a Dual Purpose Patrol Motorcycle. b) Officers shall complete the pre-trip inspection portion of the Deployment Log, taking note of the condition of the motorcycle as well as the odometer reading. At the end of their shift, Officers shall complete the post trip portion, again noting the odometer reading, and submit the deployment log to Traffic Sergeant. c) When not in use, battery chargers should be connected to maintain the battery's charge. VII. PATROL USE Revised: January 13, 2021 a) Operators of Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycles must wear an approved helmet at all times. The helmet must fit properly, without free movement on the rider's head. Operators shall also wear gloves while riding. It is recommended the gloves be designed for motorcycle use, with a palm material that will withstand a fall on asphalt and rough gravel. Department issue helmets are open-face type, with no visor. Operators shall wear adequate eye protection at all times. b) Operators shall also have with them a portable radio with a shoulder microphone. c) Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycles are not intended or equipped to be used primarily for traffic enforcement. Traffic stops are allowed, but operators must bear in mind the minimal size and number of emergency warning lights. d) When operating Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycles during hours of darkness, it is recommended that Officers patrol in groups of two. VIII. CODE 3 OPERATIONS Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycles are not designed for high speeds. They are equipped with knob tread tires that work best off highway. Attempting to operate at high speeds on pavement will result in an unstable condition that may result in a loss of control. When operating the siren, the operator may not be able to hear pertinent radio traffic; therefore, Code 3 response is to be avoided whenever possible. IX. PURSUITS As is the case with the standard vehicle pursuit training and policy, Officers must weigh the risks vs. gains of engaging in a vehicle pursuit. Since Dual Purpose Police Motorcycles are intended mainly for use on unimproved surfaces at low speeds, engaging in vehicle pursuits is strongly discouraged. Operators shall relinquish their position in a vehicle pursuit to a marked patrol sedan as soon as practicable. Operators shall immediately terminate the pursuit at the direction of a supervisor or when the capabilities of the operator or the motorcycle will be exceeded by the fleeing suspect. X. REPORTING INJURIES Operating a motorcycle on rugged, uneven terrain increases the possibility of a fall. Operators shall immediately report any personal injury or motorcycle damage to their supervisor and seek medical aid as needed. XI. REPORTING DAMAGE It is fully understood that as part of the nature of the dual purpose use, driving through rugged and remote terrain may cause minor scratches and damage. Pursuant to existing Revised: January 13, 2021 policy, any damage shall be reported to the supervisor in the form of a memorandum. Additionally, the damage shall be noted in the Deployment Log for the affected motorcycle. Any damage that renders the motorcycle unsafe or inoperable shall also be reported to the Traffic Sergeant so appropriate repair can be arranged. XII. MAINTENENCE a) Keeping the Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycles in good working order is paramount to operator safety. It is the responsibility of each operator to perform a thorough pre-ride inspection. Failure to notice a mechanical defect could result in injury or death. Operators shall complete the Deployment Log sheet at the beginning and end of each shift in which a Dual Purpose Police Patrol Motorcycle is deployed. b) Items of particular concern are the tires, brakes, controls, and motor oil. The tires on these motorcycles are a compromise between traction on pavement and traction in dirt. Excessive wear, tread damage, under inflation or over inflation can cause a loss of traction and may lead to a loss of control and collision. The brakes are easily inspected visually, both the brake fluid level and brake pad thickness. Controls must be securely attached and must move freely, without excessive play or binding. Inadequate motor oil can result in engine seizure, which will cause the rear wheel to lock suddenly and may cause loss of control and collision. c) If a motorcycle is determined to be unsafe for patrol use, notify a supervisor or training instructor and mark the motorcycle "out of service". If the matter can be remedied by an operator, he or she may do so. Other repairs may be performed by the Corp Yard or authorized dealer as needed. d) Maintenance shall also include appearance and cleanliness. Operators are expected to clean the motorcycle at the end of their shift. Appropriate cleaning supplies have been provided to wash and dry the motorcycle. e) Training instructors shall monitor the motorcycles serviceability and perform or direct repairs and maintenance as needed.