FREDERICK POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Section 9: Topic: Approved: 10/24/16 Review: Annually in August by Patrol Commander Supersedes: GO 985 dated 05/01/07 Police Equipment and Vehicles Order Number: 985 MOTO RCYCLE PATROL Issued by: Chief of Police.01 PURPOSE: To furnish guidelines for motorcycle patrol, and to establish procedures for the utilization of the Department s motorcycles.02 CROSS-REF: G.O. 250 - Departmental Traffic Accidents G.O. 311 - Motor Vehicle Stops G.O. 450 - Special Crimes Unit G.O. 470 - Special Events G.O. 770 - Prisoner Transport G.O. 900 - Specialized Vehicles G.O. 965 - Vehicle Pursuits G.O. 1663 - Uniforms and Appearance G.O. 1850 - Sworn Personnel Assignments Form PD-008 Motorcycle Inspection and Activity Sheet CALEA STANDARDS: 41.2.1; 41.2.2; 41.3.2; 46.2.7.03 DISCUSSION: Motorcycle patrol is an alternative to foot patrol and patrol in police cruisers. The benefits of motorcycle patrol include: maneuverability in heavily congested areas to respond to calls for service and to alleviate traffic congestion; access to pathways of parks and other areas too narrow for cars; escort of funerals and parades, where maneuverability around traffic is required; traffic enforcement efforts in areas where the parking of a cruiser would not be feasible; use as a public relations tool during parades and other special events; and, use as a community policing tool, to increase interaction between citizens and officers while on patrol..04 POLICY: It is the policy of the Department to utilize motorcycle patrol officers to supplement other methods of patrol. Motorcycle patrol officers will be deployed to increase police visibility, maneuverability, and community interaction through routine and directed patrol, directed enforcement, and during special operations and special events. The Patrol Division will administer the motorcycle patrol program. Page 1 of 5 G.O. 985
.05 DEFINITIONS: INCLEMENT WEATHER: Heavy rain, thunderstorms, high winds, snow, fog, ice, or temperatures below forty (40) degrees Fahrenheit..10 SELECTION PROCESS: 1. When the Department considers designating additional motorcycle patrol officers, officers will follow the procedures outlined in G.O. 1850, Sworn Personnel Assignments, to be considered for selection. Selection criteria for motorcycle patrol will include: A. Below the rank of lieutenant at the time of the initial selection B. An overall performance evaluation rating of at least satisfactory on the officer s last Performance Evaluation Report (PER); C. A positive recommendation from each level in the officer s chain of command; D. Possession of a valid Maryland Driver s License Class M, or the out of state equivalent; E. Experience in motorcycle operation sufficient enough to pass a pre-screening evaluation conducted by the Department s certified Police Motorcycle Instructor; F. Acceptable driving record with the Department and the MVA; and, G. Willingness to utilize a motorcycle to fulfill the Department s objectives. 2. Candidates selected will be given the appropriate training before conducting departmental functions on a motorcycle. 3. A pre-screening evaluation of all candidates will be conducted by the Department s certified Police Motorcycle Instructor to gauge the candidates basic riding ability, prior to any training. The instructor will submit the results of the evaluation to the Patrol Commander..15 TRAINING: 1. Officers assigned to motorcycle patrol must successfully complete a Basic Police Motorcycle Operations Course, such as but not limited to, the one sponsored by the Maryland State Police, and which the Commander of the Support Services Division approves. 2. Additionally, the Department will maintain a certified Police Motorcycle Instructor, who will be responsible for creating and administering a re-certification course for all motorcycle patrol officers to attend annually. 3. Training for motorcycle patrol officers will be coordinated between the Patrol Division and the Training Unit. 4. The Patrol Commander will ensure that each motorcycle patrol operator attends an annual re-certification course. Annual re-certification through the Police Motorcycle Instructor is mandatory for motorcycle patrol officers to remain active and approved. The Police Motorcycle Instructor will document the re-certification of motorcycle patrol officers, and will forward this documentation to the Patrol Commander and the Training Unit, who will file it. Page 2 of 5 G.O. 985
.20 UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT: 1. Motorcycle patrol officers are issued equipment and uniform accessories specifically designed for police motorcycle application. The issued motorcycle uniform and accessories include: A. Motorcycle helmet with attached boom microphone; B. Protective eyewear (both sun and clear lenses); and C. Warm weather gloves. 2. Additionally, the following equipment is made available to motorcycle patrol officers, and is stored in the motorcycle patrol locker: A. Belt adapter for the hand held radio and the connection to the motorcycle; B. Soft lowers wind breaks for the motorcycles; and, C. Cold weather gloves. 3. The Technology and Services Division will coordinate the ordering of all Departmental motorcycle equipment and the outfitting of all motorcycle patrol officers. All relevant equipment will meet the standards set by the Department of Transportation. 4. Motorcycle patrol officers are required to wear, at all times while operating the motorcycle, all appropriate safety equipment that has been issued to them. Officers may wear their own prescription eyeglasses in lieu of the issued eyewear, as long as the lenses are shatterproof. 5. Motorcycle patrol officers will wear the uniform of the day, supplemented by the specialized motorcycle uniform accessories and equipment issued to them, or made available to them and, which is appropriate for the current riding conditions..25 INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE: 1. Motorcycle patrol officers will, prior to riding the motorcycle, inspect the motorcycle. The motorcycle will be visually inspected prior to and at the end of each usage. It is the responsibility of each motorcycle patrol officer to ensure all motorcycle equipment functions properly prior to riding. 2. A Daily Inspection and Activity Report Form #PD-008 is to be completed and turned in at the end of the officer s motor assignment. Any discrepancies will be noted and included on this report. If the problem will jeopardize the safety of the operator or potentially damage the motorcycle, the motorcycle is not to be used until repairs are completed. The motorcycle patrol officer will submit the Daily Inspection and Activity Report to the Patrol Commander, 3. Any damage to the motorcycle or equipment will be reported in specific detail to the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator. All damage will be recorded on the Daily Inspection and Activity Report. In the case of a motor vehicle collision, the procedures in G.O. 250, Departmental Traffic Accidents will be followed. 4. Maintenance for the motorcycles will be completed by an approved motorcycle repair shop, unless otherwise authorized by the Technology and Services Division Commander. The Fleet Maintenance Coordinator assigned to the Technology and Services Division will coordinate the maintenance and repair of motorcycles. Page 3 of 5 G.O. 985
5. Additionally, motorcycle patrol officers will adhere to the following procedures: A. Officers will not let the motorcycle idle for an extended period of time when the temperature is above eighty (80) degrees Fahrenheit; B. Officers will remove the splash guards from the motorcycle when the temperature is above fifty-five (55) degrees Fahrenheit; C. Officers will lock the ignition and saddlebags when the motorcycle will be out of their sight; D. Officers will use a bicycle pump to adjust the air pressure in the seat; E. Officers will maintain the recommended air pressure in the tires; and, F. Motorcycles can only be fueled by gasoline of 93 octane or greater. Gasoline for the motorcycles will be obtained from any gas station the Department utilizes. Gasoline receipts will be forwarded to the Fiscal Affairs Unit. The Department of Public Works does not utilize 93 octane fuel, therefore that fuel will not be utilized in the motorcycles..30 DEPLOYMENT: 1. Supervisors may deploy approved, active motorcycle patrol officers at their discretion, as manpower limits and weather conditions permit. All motorcycle patrol officers will report for duty in the standard uniform of the day unless otherwise instructed. They are to have all equipment and uniform accessories available for immediate use. Supervisors may advise officers in advance to report for duty in the motorcycle patrol uniform. Officers will have their standard uniform of the day available in case it becomes necessary for them to be deployed in another capacity. 2. Supervisors may deploy motorcycle patrol officers for routine or directed patrol, directed enforcement efforts, or for any special operations or special events as needed. The motorcycles will not be ridden in the City s parks, except during emergencies or during a call for service, and then they are to be ridden on the walkways if possible. 3. The Patrol Commander will be responsible for the collection of statistical data concerning the deployment of motorcycle patrol officers. This data will be collected through the Daily Inspection and Activity Report, which will be filed in the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator s office after review..35 WEATHER CONDITIONS: Supervisors must exercise good judgment in determining whether it is safe and operationally beneficial to deploy a motorcycle patrol officer. The experience of the motorcycle patrol officer may help guide the supervisor in his decision. 1. There will be no deployment of motorcycle patrol officers during periods of inclement weather. 2. Officers may be assigned for limited periods to special details during cold weather, if conditions do not put the officer s safety at risk..40 DUTIES: 1. Motorcycle patrol officers will follow the direction of their supervisor when assigned to routine or directed patrol, directed enforcement, special operations, or special events. 2. Motorcycle patrol officers will follow G.O. 965, Vehicle Pursuits, in reference to motor Page 4 of 5 G.O. 985
vehicle pursuits. If a suspect flees from a motorcycle patrol officer, the motorcycle patrol officer may pursue the suspect, taking into account the fact that his motorcycle is less recognizable as an emergency vehicle, only until a marked, four-wheel police vehicle is able to take up the pursuit. Once a marked, four-wheel police vehicle has taken up the pursuit, the motorcycle patrol officer will immediately discontinue his participation in the pursuit, except as directed by the on-duty supervisor. 3. Motorcycle patrol officers will use the radio identifier M (motor) as their call sign. This distinctive radio identifier will be used when engaged in motorcycle patrol, so communications dispatchers and other personnel are aware of their assignment, and will know their limitations. Page 5 of 5 G.O. 985