Motorcycle experience put to use

The officers are excited to patrol by motorcycle.

By ALISON KEMP

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

POLAND — With all the motorcycle experience that Poland village police officers have — 12 officers have motorcycle endorsements — it only made sense for the department to buy a motorcycle.

“There’s lots of motorcycle experience here,” Police Chief Russell Beatty said.

The motorcycle, which was bought with confiscated drug money, has been used since last year.

“It’s kind of a no-brainer, if you can buy it at no expense to the taxpayers. I wonder why more places don’t do it,” Beatty said.

He wants the department to have a second bike, which would also be bought with confiscated drug money.

The biggest benefit of the motorcycle, Beatty said, is its gas mileage. The Harley-Davidson gets 40 miles per gallon. He said after using the motorcycle for two entire shifts, it needed only a gallon and a half of gas.

“I can’t believe how much money this saves,” Beatty said.

Another benefit is the bike’s maneuverability, which Beatty said is good for a small community.

The only disadvantage is when the weather is bad, preventing the motorcycle from being used.

When an officer is patrolling by motorcycle, there is always a police car on the road in case someone needs to be taken into custody.

Excited about motorcyles

Beatty has had a motorcycle endorsement for almost 30 years. He and his wife even went to Florida by motorcycle for their honeymoon.

He’s not the only officer on staff excited about riding motorcycles.

“The guys are pretty enthused about it,” Beatty said.

As a group, the officers with motorcycles participate in many major motorcycle events, including Biketoberfest in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Five of the officers own the same bike as the one the police department purchased, which makes the training even easier.

Careful training

“We’re doing training to make sure the riding skills to ride something that big are there,” Beatty said.

He said patrolling by bike is not something for a beginner.

“You really have to practice and work with it,” Beatty said.

When patrolling by motorcycle, Beatty said, “You’re a lot more alert and aware of what’s going on around you versus being in a car.”

Patrolman Doug Bernier also expressed the ability to be more engaged with the community by riding a motorcycle.

“Personally, I think it’s something different that smaller communities [can do]. We don’t get the opportunity to be close to the public. The modern-day officer is stuck in a car with the windows rolled up and the air conditioning on,” Bernier said.

Beatty believes having the bike is a good thing for the officers.

“We do things a little different here. I’d like to think we’re a little more progressive than other places,” he said.