 |
|||||||||
|
 |
|
|
sign-in | register | contact/faq | view cart | |||||
|
|||||||||
 |
|
          |
||||
|
|
|||||
|
|
MOTORCYCLE POLICE NEWS.
Here is the article archive of headlines that have appeared in newspapers around the United States which relate to police motorcycle officers. 12/1/2006 Harley helps EPD officer from Newburgh keeps streets safe - Henderson, KY As a teenager in Jasper, Ind., Kevin Day approached his parents with the idea of buying a motorcycle. Concerned about the safety of him riding one, they were less than thrilled with the plan. That first motorcycle is long gone, but Day, 34, is still riding - albeit for a more serious purpose. Day, who lives in Newburgh with his wife and two children, is one of four motorcycle officers for the Evansville Police Department. For Day, who's been with the department since 1999 and on the motorcycle patrol since last year, it's the latest chapter in a life defined by service. After spending a decade in the National Guard, Day studied law enforcement in college and then joined the force in Evansville. Looking back, he said everything has turned out perfectly. "I really, really enjoy my job," Day said. "I mean, I love my job. I couldn't imagine doing anything differently." That job entails spending about 30 hours a week on a motorcycle and often dealing with people who are less than thrilled at seeing him. A major component of Day's work is traffic enforcement, although he noted that that is sometimes a first step toward more serious arrests.... Read the full story. 12/3/2006 Services Friday for HPD officer Favela - Honolulu, HI Services will be held Friday for Honolulu police motorcycle officer Steve Favela, who was involved in a crash while escorting President Bush's motorcade Nov. 21. Visitation is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Borthwick Mortuary, and services will begin at noon. After the services, there will be a procession from Borthwick, past police headquarters on Alapa'i Street and on to Mililani Memorial Park in Waipi'o. Burial is set for 3 p.m. at Mililani Memorial Park. Favela died Sunday from injuries he suffered at Hickam Air Force Base Nov. 21 when he crashed on a rain-slickened road as he escorted the president's motorcade to a breakfast with troops. He was one of three motorcycle officers who crashed near a bend along O'Malley Boulevard as the motorcade left Hickam. The two other officers were treated at a hospital and released. Favela was hospitalized with internal injuries, including a torn spleen. Favela was the 12th Honolulu motorcycle officer to die in the line of duty since 1923.... Read the full story. 12/3/2006 Motorcycle officers practice: Traffic patrol units maneuver obstacle courses in training for recertification - Myrtle Beach, SC A small group of bikers on Harleys could be seen laying patches of rubber in the parking lot of Barefoot Landing last week. It's expected to continue through this week, and not only do local law enforcement agencies know all about it, they are encouraging the bikers to keep it up. Meet the motor cops: A collection of area police officers assigned to their agencies' traffic divisions. Instead of patrol cars, they use motorcycles, or "motors," in police lingo. For the past week and into next week, they'll be training for recertification, said Sgt. Mike Boyd of the North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety. History and training Although there's no state-mandated recertification schedule, Boyd said North Myrtle Beach's motor police officers recertify once per year and have done that ever since the city's motor unit was established in 1999. There are five active motor units in the city, although 15 North Myrtle Beach officers are certified to do so. "It's been really good," Boyd said as he observed the five students navigate a series of orange traffic cones. "I believe that, within the first few years of the motor unit, we actually started to decrease the incidents of traffic crashes on our city's roads." Other area departments have had similar success. "We've been extremely successful," said Investigator Jim Allen, who spearheaded the Myrtle Beach Police Department's motor unit, which also began in 1999 and has five units now on the road. Unlike those two departments, motorcycle patrols are part of the S.C. Highway Patrol's roots. When troopers first hit the roads in 1930, motorcycles were all they used. "Each trooper was issued a badge, gun, uniform, motorcycle and summons book. They were given no formal training and only a few verbal instructions. They began patrolling the 5,991 miles of S.C. highways at that time," reads a portion of the patrol's Web site dedicated to that agency's history. The patrol eventually phased out its motor units in favor of cars, said Cpl. Kevin Elia, of the patrol, who is the Region 3 motorcycle unit supervisor. He said the S.C. Highway Patrol reinstated its motor units in 1994. "I guess there was a trooper who wanted to see it start back up," Elia said. "He saw the need and wanted to see if he could pull it off." Apparently, he could. Now there are 17 highway patrol motor units across the state, with four more due sometime after the new year, Elia said. A special place on the forcePolice cars will likely remain the staple vehicle for law enforcement agencies in most places, but motorcycles certainly have their advantages, officers say.... Read the full story. 12/4/2006 The Use of Force: A traffic stop leads to a high-speed pursuit - San Francisco, CA Officer Leslie Adams decided to pull the trigger in a split second, but years later the former San Francisco motorcycle officer still struggles with the memory of killing 20-year-old Johnie Williams. "I feel very sad about it," Adams said in an interview. "I feel very bad about it. But I try not to deal with it, because I can't change anything."... Read the full story. 12/4/2006 Austin police saying goodbye to Harley-Davidsons: Officers say they'll miss the old motorcycles, but new ones are safer. - Austin, TX The distinctive Harley-Davidson muffler rumble that has followed law-breaking motorists in Austin for decades will soon be replaced with a quieter German-engineered hum. A few years ago, the Austin Police Department decided it needed anti-lock brakes on its motorcycles to improve officer safety. But because Harley-Davidson didn't offer the option at the time, officials looked elsewhere. Early next year, the department will replace its remaining 21 Harleys with BMWs that have anti-lock brakes, completing a transition of its 72-motorcycle fleet that began in 2002. Officers say the new bikes have better maneuvering capability and, perhaps more significant, a brake system especially designed to prevent skidding. "When you slam on the brakes on the Harley-Davidson, there's a tendency for the brakes to lock up, and then you have no choice but try to steer where you're going to crash," Sgt. Ruben Fuentes said. Despite extensive training, Fuentes said, officers often would end up on the ground after someone stopped or pulled in front of them abruptly during a chase. He said that last year, an officer riding a Harley crashed and injured his leg so badly that it had to be amputated. The anti-lock brakes quickly grind the wheel to a stop, giving the rider more control, said Fuentes, who patrols on one of the department's new BMWs. Harley-Davidson didn't offer the braking system until 2005 on police models. That was, well, just too slow for the Austin police, which bought three anti-lock-brake-equipped BMWs to test out in 2002. "It was hard to find a car that didn't have ABS on them," said Sgt. Bruce Lutringer, who led the push for better brakes. "But, yet, we were still riding motorcycles that didn't have them." Since then, the number of crashes has gone down as the department built its fleet of the BMWs by 20 a year for the past two years. Last year, there were 15 collisions involving motorcycle officers in Austin, and only three of them were riding BMWs, police spokesman Kevin Buchman said. This year, there have been six collisions involving motor officers, two of whom were on BMWs. The new bikes cost $18,939, City of Austin deputy fleet officer Jennifer Walls said. That's roughly $1,000 to $2,000 more than the base price of a Harley-Davidson, Lutringer said.... Read the full story. 12/5/2006 Bush cabinet members to attend HPD officer's funeral - Honolulu, HI Two members of President George W. Bush's cabinet will attend a memorial service Friday for Honolulu police officer Steve Favela, who suffered fatal injuries while escorting President Bush's motorcade Nov. 21, according to the White House press office. U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne will attend the funeral service on behalf of President Bush. Favela's funeral will be held 9 a.m.-noon at Borthwick Mortuary, and services will begin at noon. It will be followed by a procession from Borthwick, past police headquarters on Alapa'i Street and on to Mililani Memorial Park in Waipi'o. Favela died at 9:55 a.m. Nov. 26 from injuries he suffered at Hickam Air Force Base when he crashed on a rain-slicked road as he escorted the president's motorcade to a breakfast with troops. He was one of three motorcycle officers who crashed near a bend along O'Malley Boulevard as the motorcade left Hickam. The two other officers were treated at a hospital and released.... Read the full story. 12/6/2006 Retired Cop Shot In Dorchester - Dorchester, MA A retired Cambridge police officer was shot dead in his Dorchester home Tuesday night. The victim was a former motorcycle officer, according to family members who talked to NewsCenter 5 at the scene Tuesday night. They said he's been working recently as a carpenter. Relatives told NewsCenter 5 that Myles Lawton, 64, lived in the apartment at 91 Florida Street with his longtime girlfriend and their children. Just before 9:30 p.m., while the retired Cambridge police officer was home with his family -- including an infant son -- Lawton was shot in the mouth and killed.... Read the full story. 12/6/2006 Law enforcement community mourns 'cop's cop' Hancock - Manatee, FL Officer Michael Hancock was as accomplished in the fields of law enforcement and self-defense as anyone, according to those who knew and worked with him. In Manatee County, he served as a law enforcement officer for more than 30 years and taught many law enforcement officers how to protect themselves. Hancock died early Tuesday morning from cancer, and many in the law enforcement community were mourning his loss. He would have turned 60 on Saturday. "He was a cop's cop," said Bradenton Beach Police Chief Sam J. Speciale. "Chances are if you are a deputy or police officer in Manatee County, you trained with Michael Hancock." Hancock had most recently served as a reservist with the Bradenton Beach Police Department since September 2001. He also taught defensive tactics for 25 years at the police academy at Manatee Technical Institute, a task Hancock was well-prepared for. As a ninth-degree black belt in Okinawan Budo-Kai, a form of karate, Hancock also operated local martial arts dojos. "He was always there for the police academy. If you are in law enforcement around here, you most certainly crossed his path at some point," said Mike Rushing, director of the MTI criminal justice academy. Rushing said he will always remember Hancock for his dedication to the police academy and the men and women he trained. He never missed a graduation at the academy, Rushing said. "He truly was a remarkable person," Rushing said. Hancock also made his mark as a longtime police officer with the Longboat Key Police Department. He served there from 1975 to 1999. He also served with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office for most of 1985, according to spokesman Dave Bristow. Longboat Key Police Chief Al Hogle said residents will remember Hancock's efforts in traffic enforcement as a motorcycle officer. Hogle said he will remember Hancock's compassion and dedication to protecting the public.... Read the full story. 12/7/2006 Reality show features gun-toting celebs - Muncie, IN Erik Estrada and other lesser celebrities have been sworn in as reserve officers of the city police department here, allowing them to carry badges and guns as part of a reality television series. About 200 people packed into a Muncie City Hall auditorium for the Tuesday ceremony to swear in the former "CHiPs" star, along with La Toya Jackson, Jack Osbourne, Wee Man and Trish Stratus. A producer coaxed the crowd into cheering loudly for the camera, and parts of the ceremony had to be repeated several times for the TV cameras. "Roll call is at 6 o'clock," Muncie Police Chief Joe Winkle told the celebrities. "Do not be late." Winkle had to say the line three times. The first take was interrupted by audience applause, the second was too quiet. "Welcome to TV," said Julie Link of Forman Productions. "Sometimes, we have to retake." The CBS show, "Armed and Famous," being filmed in this east-central Indiana city, population 66,000, follows the celebrities as they enforce the laws alongside city police officers. Estrada joked with the crowd that people may not recognize him as an officer because he would not be wearing his toupee. He pulled up the back inch of his hairpiece and wiggled it, drawing laughter from the crowd. Estrada carried a gun but rarely used it to stop bad guys in his 1970s motorcycle-cops drama.... Read the full story. 12/8/2006 Central Florida elf cop busts speeders - Orlando, FL In Orange County, the problem isn't dashing through the snow. It's cars darting down the street at high speeds. So the Orange County Sheriff's Office is doing something about it, launching Operation ELF: Enforcing Limits and Fining speeders. Here's how it works: a sheriff's deputy dressed as an elf clocks cars using a radar gun then dispatches a motorcycle deputy to pull them over and issue the driver a ticket. More than 150 tickets were written in just over two hours. Some people said using a holiday icon to enforce the law didn't seem right. "That's specifically why we didn't use Santa Claus," Ken Wyne of the Orange County Sheriff's Office said. "We didn't choose a nativity scene. We chose an elf. An elf is known for their impish behavior. If you're going to speed in Orange County, you never know who's going to be on the street corner."... Read the full story. 12/8/2006 COP FUNERALS: THE TRAGIC DRUMBEATS GO ON - New York, NY -- EVER been to a cop funeral? Well unless you are a cop or a firefighter or a mayor or a politician looking for face time, chances are that, like most of our 8 million citizens, you have not. OK, you could be a reporter, but you would be surprised how many reporters also haven't been to a cop's funeral, and I envy them. First, a brigade of 50 motorcycle cops goes by in a muted rumble past the thousands of brother cops standing at attention in sometimes 15 degrees, sometimes 90 degrees.... Read the full story. 12/8/2006 Funeral Services Held Friday For Fallen Officer - Honolulu, HI Funeral services are being held on Friday for Honolulu police Officer Steve Favela. Favela, a solo bike officer, died last month after an accident while escorting President George W. Bush's motorcade. He left behind a wife and four young children. The services at Borthwick Mortuary begin at 8 a.m. At about 2 p.m., a motorcade procession will leave the mortuary, drive past the Honolulu Police Department headquarters and then head to Mililani Memorial Park. Motorists are advised to expect delays along the procession route. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne and Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez will represent the president at the funeral.... Read the full story. 12/8/2006 Local Police Hope To Upgrade Motorcycle Fleet - Steubenville, OH Wheeling police officials said they are in desperate need of three new motorcycles to help keep the Friendly City safe. Wheeling's motorcycle fleet is the largest in the state, but some of their bikes are more than 15 years old and must be replaced. In response, the department is challenging the community to help. Wheeling Island Racetrack and Gaming Center stepped up to the plate, and donated $15,000 for a new motorcycle. But Wheeling Police Chief Kevin Gessler said the department is still in need of two more bikes, which will cost about $30,000. Gessler said the motorcycles are essential to the department. "They're quite productive when it comes to dealing with motor vehicle accidents, traffic complaints, parking complaints and ... standard incidents," Gessler said.... Read the full story. 12/8/2006 Public can join final farewell to officer - Honolulu, HI Services will be held today for Honolulu police officer Steve Favela, who died Nov. 26 from injuries he suffered while escorting the president's motorcade five days earlier at Hickam Air Force Base. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. at Borthwick Mortuary, and services will begin at noon. After the services, there will be a procession from Borthwick, past police headquarters on Alapa'i Street and on to Mililani Memorial Park in Waipi'o. Burial there will be at 3 p.m. The public is invited to join Honolulu Police Department employees for a final farewell salute to the fallen officer as the procession passes the Alapa'i headquarters at about 2:15 p.m. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Maunakea Street between Vineyard Boulevard and Kukui Street will be partially closed and street parking will be restricted. Motorists are advised to expect delays along the funeral route. After leaving Borthwick Mortuary, the motorcade will travel from Maunakea Street, to Vineyard Boulevard, to Punchbowl Street, to South King Street, to Victoria Street and to HPD headquarters on South Beretania Street. The motorcade will then travel to Punchbowl Street, to H-1 Freeway, and conclude at Mililani Memorial Park. Favela was one of three motorcycle officers who crashed on a rain-slick road Nov. 21 as they escorted President Bush's motorcade to a breakfast with troops. The three officers crashed near a bend along O'Malley Boulevard as the motorcade left Hickam. The two other officers were treated at a hospital and released. Two members of President Bush's Cabinet will attend the memorial service. U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne will attend the service on behalf of Bush, according to the White House press office. Favela was the 12th Honolulu motorcycle officer to die in the line of duty since 1923.... Read the full story. 12/8/2006 Officer Favela Laid to Rest - Honolulu, HI They came on foot. Some were bussed to Borthwick Mortuary. Honolulu police officers wore black bands over their badges - a symbol of mourning for Steve Favela, the motorcycle patrolman who was fatally injured in a presidential motorcade. Hundreds of officers, members of President Bush's cabinet, and other came to pay last respects. "The line behind me has not stopped since we opened the doors," said Honolulu police Chief Boisse Correa. "We've gotten very important people here but yet we've also got people who've come and said we just want to show our appreciation to the family." The Favela family was inside. They asked for privacy. There were large collages of pictures showing Favela as a husband, father and friend. He was fatally injured when his motorcycle crashed while escorting the president's motorcade Nov. 21. "Every time you get on the bike anything can happen because you are on two wheels. We all know that. We all understand that," motorcycle officer Grant Moniz said. He's also Favela's cousin..... Read the full story. 12/8/2006 Motorcycle officers, instructors learn the tricks of the trade - Arlington, TX Each year, a traveling police school teaches about 300 motorcycle officers the secrets of surviving heavy city traffic while chasing suspects. The school comes to Texas every winter to take advantage of the usually warm climate. This year, the school is making its first Arlington appearance. On Thursday, a parking lot at Six Flags Over Texas was dotted with orange cones. About 18 police officers from as far away as Phoenix and Montreal broke into three groups and slowly rolled through a maze of cones without braking. Some riders laid their bikes down on a tight curve in the middle of the line, but pushed their 825-pound motorcycles right back up. The teachers smiled as more fell. It's kind of like watching children learn how to walk. "You take a lot of spills, especially when you're new at it," said Eddie Garth, Arlington motorcycle unit commander. Every year in the dozen or so cities where it stops, the Northwestern University police motorcycle training course is almost always sold out, said Gary Wheeler, a former Maryland police officer who repairs and transports the motorcycles used in the course. Police instructors pay $1,595 for three weeks of training, which includes lessons on teaching others. Police motorcycle operators pay $1,395 for a two-week course that is designed to help them be more effective on the job. The Harley-Davidson Motor Co. provides the motorcycles -- Road Kings. Officers are allowed to use their own cycles, but should expect to incur $1,500 to $2,000 in damage.... Read the full story. 12/8/2006 Officer Honored - Corona, CA California Highway Patrol Officer Shannon Distel, an Ohio boy who was setting down roots in Inland Southern California as a CHP officer when he was killed in the line of duty, was memorialized Friday by state and city officials and his colleagues in law enforcement. The Interstate 15/Highway 91 interchange in Corona was dedicated in Distel's honor at a ceremony in the parking lot of the Cresta Verde Golf Club, which overlooks the two freeways. About 70 people, including Distel's widow, Deanna, and four children, attended the event. Distel, a motorcycle officer, died Aug. 27, 2003, when a pickup truck and trailer driven by Miguel Martin, 31, of Riverside, turned into his path in the Woodcrest area of Riverside. Distel, a Murrieta resident, was 31. Martin pleaded guilty to misdemeanor vehicular homicide. Four signs with Distel's name stand at entrances to the freeways. A replica of the signs was presented to Deanna Distel and the children. Deanna's son, Tucker Wetherbee-Distel, 10, pulled the cover off the replica, only to be shrouded by the cloth. "That's Tucker. He's a clown, and so (was) Shannon," said Deanna, adding, "What a great honor for his children to know that their daddy was admired and respected and always will be remembered." The memorial stemmed from state legislation submitted by Assemblymen Todd Spitzer, R-Orange, and John Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes. Benoit, who is a retired CHP commander, was at the ceremony.... Read the full story. 12/9/2006 Hundreds remember officer as strong family man, friend - Honolulu, HI Steve Favela wore several uniforms during a life spent serving his community and country, but it was his family that fueled his ever-present smile, friends and fellow officers said yesterday. Favela, an eight-year veteran of the Honolulu Police Department who spent a decade in the U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard reserves, died Nov. 26 from injuries he suffered while escorting President Bush's motorcade five days earlier at Hickam Air Force Base. He was laid to rest yesterday afternoon in Mililani following a memorial service at Borthwick Mortuary on Maunakea Street. More than 300 uniformed police officers attended the memorial service, then lined both sides of Beretania Street to salute the hearse carrying Favela's body as it drove by the department's headquarters as part of an honor procession. "He would be someone that you would want to bring home. You would hope your daughter would bring home someone like him. This was a very humble man with a big smile. He was a very strong family man," said Sgt. Grant Moniz, Favela's cousin and fellow motorcycle officer. "Steve is incredible to work with and a great young man." For three hours yesterday morning, police officers, FBI agents, firefighters and representatives from every state, county and federal law enforcement agency in Hawai'i, as well as representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force, filed into the mauka chapel at Borthwick Mortuary to say goodbye. Also in attendance were U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, on behalf of President Bush. Kempthorne read a letter Bush wrote to Favela's family, police said. "He made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting Laura and me during our visit to Hawaii and we will always be thankful for his services," Bush wrote in the letter read by Kempthorne. "Each of you has our heartfelt sympathies." Favela's fellow solo-bike officers, dressed in their ceremonial road uniforms with riding boots and a white collar, led the procession of well-wishers into the chapel, past Favela's widow, Barbara, and his body. Officer Ferdinand Tan, who served with Favela in the U.S. Coast Guard and graduated with him from HPD recruit school in February 1998, said Favela's happiness came from his love for his family, his wife and their children. Tan said the last time he saw Favela was several weeks ago, when the pair went to the shooting range to qualify for their duties with the U.S. Coast Guard reserves. "I'm still in shock that he's gone," said Tan, speaking outside the chapel yesterday. "Steve was a good friend of mine. Of all the years I've known Steve, he is just an excellent guy."... Read the full story. 12/9/2006 New National Calendar Features Virginia State Police - Richmond, VA Virginia State Motorcycle Police and officers from the Alexandria Police Department are featured in a 2007 calendar published by a nationwide police organization. The Motorcops.com calendar includes photographs from a dozen law enforcement agencies from around the country. Money raised from the sale of the calendar is going toward memorial funds for fallen officers' families. Virginia has lost ten law enforcement officers in the line-of-duty this year. That's the second most in the nation, behind California.... Read the full story. 12/9/2006 Hundreds Attend Services For Fallen Officer - Honolulu, HI A Honolulu police officer is remembered as a dedicated family man who loved serving the community. Hundreds, including Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, gathered for the funeral services for Solo Bike Officer Steve Favela Friday. Sergeant Grant Moniz is a member of HPD's Solo Bike Detail. He's also Steve Favela's cousin. He describes the fallen officer as a humble, good man. "Someone that you would want to bring home, as far as your daughter would bring home somebody like him, 'cause he's a great provider, just a great man," Moniz said. "And we're going to miss him very, very much." Fellow officers, family and friends gather in Downtown Honolulu for the funeral services. State sheriffs, members of the military, and officers from police departments on the Mainland also pay their respects. "This is a very, very sad day for law enforcement as a community," Chief Boisse Correa, Honolulu Police Department, said. "You know, we're saying goodbye to one of our finest officers." Favela died November 26th, five days after he crashed his police motorcycle while taking part in the Presidential motorcade at Hickam Air Force Base. The 30-year-old leaves behind a wife and four young children. "It's hard. They're being tested right now," Correa said. "But they're a good family, a very loving family." Favela's HPD family gathers in front of the main station for a farewell salute. Solo Bike officers lead the funeral procession for their fallen brother, who was also a Coast Guard reservist.... Read the full story. 12/13/2006 LAPD Motorcycle Officer Injured on I-10 Freeway - Los Angeles, CA A Los Angeles Police Department motorcycle officer may have suffered a broken leg in a solo accident on the eastbound Santa Monica (10) Freeway Wednesday night, authorities said. The accident occurred just east of Western Avenue at 7:24 p.m., said California Highway Patrol Officer Patrick Kimball. An ambulance was called, but the injuries turned out to be relatively minor.... Read the full story. 12/27/2006 Highland officer switches to motorcycles - Highland, CA Highland Police Officer Gusztav Asboth spent six years in the Marine Corps. Amazingly, he claims the nine grueling weeks he spent in boot camp were not as diffucult as the two weeks he spent in motor school to become Highland's newest traffic officer. “It was the most challenging thing I've ever done,” remarked Asboth. “It was intense. It was challenging both physically and mentally.” Asboth regards his completion of motor school as the highlight of his career. “During training we learned how to safely engage in pursuits while on the bike. If you screw up it's you and the concrete so you have to take it very seriously.” The two-week course teaches officers defensive driving tactics, evasive manuevers, and how to use a motorcycle in the safest manner when going after suspects. “The bike gives me a lot more options becasue it's more maneuverable. I can take it down alleys and other tight spots that I couldn't take with the patrol cars.” Asboth put the bike to good use last week. On Dec. 19 he spotted two men driving a black Acura on Baseline Street and McKinley Avenue that matched the description of a car reported stolen a few days earlier. Sure enough, it was the same vehicle and Asboth engaged the suspects after calling for backup. The two men were later caught after abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on foot. While Asboth is only in his third month of traffic patrol, he can already say he enjoys the job more than regular patrol. “It's a little different focus, we deal solely with traffic control, but we still do investigations and foot pursuits, I really like it.” From time to time, traffic officers also help out with regular patrol duties. If the station experiences a particularly busy day, or if an urgent call is put out, they'll abandon traffic duties to deal with the issues at hand.... Read the full story. 12/28/2006 Two Oakland Officers Injured in Traffic Accidents - Oakland, CA Two Oakland police motorcycle officers were injured in separate incidents Wednesday afternoon, but both were treated and released and should be back on the job soon, according to Sgt. Michael Poirier. Poirier said that just before 4 p.m. Wednesday, officer Jorge Cabral was leaving the Edwards Avenue off-ramp from eastbound Interstate Highway 580 when a Mercedes Benz came across several lanes and hit him, knocking him from his motorcycle. The driver was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving by the California Highway Patrol after his car came to rest on an embankment, according to Poirier. Poirier said that at 3:37 p.m. Wednesday, officer Jason Scott was hurt when he fell from his motorcycle in the 2200 block of Coolidge Avenue while he was trying to stop a car that had run a stop sign. Scott had to take evasive action and lost control when the driver suddenly "drilled the breaks" and stopped in the traffic lane instead of pulling over to the side of the road, Poirier said. Cabral and Scott both suffered "bumps and bruises," Poirier said. He said Cabral's injuries are more severe because the impact of his collision was more serious.... Read the full story. 12/28/2006 Lemmon Valley Stand-Off - Reno, NV A daylong showdown with Washoe County deputies ended with the suspect on his front porch with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his chest. The suspect in this case has been identified as 32-year-old Daniel Gwyn. Reno Police sent out an alert at about 9:13 this morning about a sexual assault involving a child. A Washoe County Sheriff's motorcycle officer spotted the suspect less than ten minutes later and followed him to Birch Street in Lemmon Valley, a house of a relative. SWAT and Negotiation teams were called to the scene ten minutes after that. The teams were heavily armed because we were told Gwyn had access to many weapons, including a high powered rifle.... Read the full story. 12/28/2006 Gator Bowl parade lineup - Jacksonville, FL This year’s Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. and includes 104 entries. The grand marshal is Miss Florida Mari Wilensky, the daughter of recently-elected Circuit Court Judge Dan Wilensky. The two VIP marshals are former Mayor Jake Godbold and former Jacksonville University basketball star Artis Gilmore. The following is the entire lineup for this year’s parade, organized in groups of five: -- Jacksonville Police Motorcycle Unit, Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade Banner, Bagpiper, Jacksonville Police Color Guard and Grand Marshal Mari Wilensky.... Read the full story. 12/29/2006 Montgomery Police Allege Man Attempted to Murder Motorcycle Cop - Montgomery, AL The Montgomery Police Department says that on Thursday a motorcycle officer attempted a traffic stop on Norman Bridge Road. As the officer tried to stop the vehicle, the vehicle's driver accelerated, took off, and eventually lost control of the vehicle and collided into a residence at 603 Briarcliff Road. None of the occupants of the residence suffered injury. Following the collision, the subject got out of the vehicle and attempted to flee. According to police, as the motorcycle officer approached the subject, the subject turned and fired one round at the officer and fled north towards Floyd School.... Read the full story. 12/30/2006 Hundreds mourn S.F. officer gunned down in line of duty - San Francisco, CA San Francisco police Officer Bryan Tuvera was remembered at a Friday funeral Mass as a calm and intelligent man, witty and kind, beloved by his colleagues and the residents of the Sunset District neighborhoods he patrolled. Hundreds of people, including law enforcement officials from around the state, gathered inside St. Mary's Cathedral to honor Tuvera, who authorities say was fatally shot last Friday by a prison escapee. The chilly day was illuminated by a pale winter sun, apt conditions for both the grief and love expressed by family and friends in the church. Outside, the officers mustered in ranks, saluting Tuvera's flag-draped coffin as it passed. On Geary Boulevard in front of the cathedral, two San Francisco fire engines suspended a gigantic American flag between two extended ladders. Beneath the flag, a row of mounted police officers sat erect on their horses, painstakingly groomed before the service. A phalanx of motorcycle cops sat astride their machines to the side. Tears welled in some eyes.... Read the full story. 12/31/2006 Families of victims frustrated as inmates linger on Death Row - Palm Beach, FL Tom Chappell is 86. He's afraid the man who murdered his son will outlive him. It's been nearly two decades since escaped prisoner Noberto "Spiderman" Pietri shot West Palm Beach motorcycle officer Brian Chappell in the heart on a street corner. He's been on Death Row for nearly 17 years. With executions frozen after the latest problems in administering death to prisoners, families of victims who died long ago worry they face even more of a wait.... Read the full story. 12/31/2006 Cops cracking down on speeding - Doral, FL ...Nearly 10 percent of the 35,000 traffic tickets were handed out by Azrak, who has a reputation among motorists and colleagues alike for being a little too good at his job: By this month, he has already issued more than 4,000 tickets. ''You're Officer Azrak?'' one disgruntled man sitting in a Burgundy Lexus asks the officer after getting a citation for speeding. ''Have I given you a ticket before?'' Azrak asks. The man said no but that he had heard of the officer. Thanks to websites such as Speedtrap.org, where drivers can warn others about areas where they should stick to the speed limit, word of Doral's no-tolerance policy is spreading. ''There is a motorcycle officer that hides under a tree and jumps out of no where like a robot,'' one motorist warns on the website. ``He is very stealth, making it difficult to detect him.''... Read the full story. |
|
|
||
|
|
|
||||
|
||||||
|
HOME
| TRAINING | EQUIPMENT
| AGENCIES | GALLERIES
| NEWS & EVENTS |
FORUMS | MARKETPLACE LINK TO US | SITE HOSTING | ADVERTISE Privacy Policy | User Agreement © copyright 2003 - 2008 - MK Media, LLC |
||||||
