Police Motorcycle Training - Police Motorcycle Officer Survival Training by Sgt. Jim Polan, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

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Ballistic Testing
Introduction | Firearms Course | Ballistic Testing

Knowing that a police cruiser offers cover at the engine and wheels, I first wanted to identify the cover potential of a motorcycle and the motor officer's equipment. All test fires were recorded for training purposes.

I began first with the most important piece of equipment to the motor officer—the helmet. Two .9mm hollow points and two .45 caliber rounds were fired at the helmet. This test revealed "zero" protection to the officer.

Infact, during the course I highly recommend you remove the helmet, and train yourself to remove it during a threatening encounter. When using the motorcycle for cover the helmet clearly identifies your position—take off the helmet!

The Institute of Police Technology and Management (IPTM) donated a 1977 Police Kawasaki KZ1000 to assist in this officer safety issue. Working with the academy staff of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office in Jacksonville, Florida we fired over 70 rounds at the motorcycle, the cycle had a half-filled gas tank and oil in the case. The motorcycle was placed in three different positions that are used in the training course and we placed a target in the position of the motor officer to identify potential hits.

Position #1—officer mounted, motorcycle straight up in an immediate threat situation.
Position #2—low risk vehicle stop.
Position #3—motorcycle down.

The rounds fired at the target varied from a .380 ball 95 grain to a .40 caliber 180 grain, all the way to a .223 armor piercing round. The following is a list of rounds fired, target location and penetration level. We placed several books and folders in the saddlebags to assist in identifying gear that is carried by the motor officer.

Position #1—IMMEDIATE THREAT-STRAIGHT UP
ROUND	LOCATION	PENETRATION
.380 BALL 95 GRAIN	HEADLIGHT	NONE
.9MM BALL 115 GRAIN	OIL COOLER	NONE
.9MM BALL 115 GRAIN	CRASH BAR/BAG	NONE
.45 CAL BALL 239 GRAIN	SADDLE BAG	NONE
.45 CAL HOLLOW PT 185 GRAIN	SADDLE BAG	NONE
.45 CAL BALL 230 GRAIN	SPEEDO CABLE	NONE
ROUND	LOCATION	PENETRATION
.45 CAL H.P.	OIL COOLER	NONE
.10MM BALL 180 GRAIN	SADDLE BAG	HIT #1*
* - The .10MM round was fired into the front of the saddle bag and ran the length of the saddle bag, exiting out the rear.
.40 CAL 180 GRAIN	WINDSHIELD	HIT #2*
* - This would be a hit if the officer's head was above the motorcycle. However, if done properly, the head would not be exposed. During the course, it is highly recommended that the officer fires around, not over cover.
.40 CAL 180 GRAIN	WINDSHIELD BRACKET	NONE
.223 HP 55 GRAIN	FRONT FORK	NONE
SAME	ENGINE BLOCK	NONE
SAME	HEADLIGHT	NONE
SAME	SADDLE BAG	NONE
SAME	SADDLE BAG	NONE
Position #2—LOW RISK VEHICLE STOP
.380 BALL 95 GRAIN	BRAKE DISC	NONE
SAME	FENDER	NONE
SAME	FUEL TANK	NONE
.9MM BALL 115 GRAIN	BRAKE DISC	NONE
SAME	FENDER	NONE
SAME	FUEL TANK	NONE
.45 BALL .230 GRAIN	FUEL TANK	NONE
SAME	ENGINE	NONE
SAME	BATTRY	NONE
SAME	SADDLEBAG	HIT #3*
* - This would be a hit if the officer's head was above the motorcycle. However, once again if performed properly, the head would not be above the motorcycle.
.10MM BALL	SADDLE BAG	NONE
SAME	SHOCK MOUNT	NONE
SAME	MUFFLER	NONE
SAME	FUEL TANK	NONE
SAME	ENGINE BLOCK	NONE
.10MM HP	SADDLE BAG	NONE
.10MM BALL	SADDLE BAG	NONE
.10MM HYDRO SHOCK	SADDLE BAG	NONE
.45 CAL HP	SADDLE BAG	NONE
SAME	SADDLE BAG	NONE
.9MM BALL	SADDLE BAG	NONE
SAME	SADDLE BAG	NONE
Position #3—MOTORCYCLE DOWN
.45 BALL .230 GRAIN	ENGINE	NONE
.9MM BALL 115 GRAIN	FUEL TANK	NONE
SAME	SADDLE BAG	NONE
AK 47 STANDARD RND	FUEL TANK	NONE
SAME	SADDLE BAG	NONE
SAME	ENGINE BLOCK	NONE
.223 ARMOR PIERCING	FUEL TANK	NONE
SAME	ENGINE BLOCK	NONE
SAME	SADDLE BAG	NONE
SAME	MUFFLER	NONE
12 GAUGE SOLID COPPER	CARBURATOR	NONE

During this test firing, there were officers present from the following agencies:

Atlanta, GA
Memphis, TN
Clearwater, FL
Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, FL
Fort Lauderdale, FL

All officers present were involved in the Police Motorcycle Instructor School at IPTM and not only were we impressed, but shocked at the ballistic capability of the motorcycle.

This training article was written by Sergeant Jim Polan. Sgt. Polan has 23 years in Law Enforcement and is currently a Motor Sergeant for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in Florida. He has competed in over 20 Police Motorcycle Rodeos with 10 first place finishes. Sgt. Polan is an adjunct instructor for the Institute of Police Technology and Management providing instruction in the Police Motorcycle Instructor and Advanced Motorcycle operation courses.

If you are a police motorcycle instructor and would like to share some of your knowledge with your fellow officers, please let us know.