Motorcycle Unit
In the spring of 2001, the Novi Police Department
instituted the Novi Police Motor Unit. The Novi Police Department
uses Harley Davidson motorcycles for patrol, traffic enforcement,
and for special details.
With the assistance of a special lease deal from the Harley
Davidson company, police departments are able to lease new Harley
Davidson Road King, Electro Glide, or Dyna Glide motorcycles for one
dollar per year. The Novi Police Department leased three motorcycles
for use in the Novi Police Motor Unit. The motorcycles were
outfitted with emergency lights, sirens, police radios, and radar
units using funds from federal grants and drug forfeiture money.
There are currently 4 officers assigned to the Motor Unit. Novi
Police Motor Officers receive eighty hours of intense training
through Michigan State University. Officers are trained to safely
maneuver motorcycles through tight turns, high speed operations,
controlled braking, obstacle avoidance at low and high speed, and
proper emergency response and officer safety techniques on the
motorcycles. After receiving the initial eighty hours of training,
officers must re-certify annually in a three day course also offered
by Michigan State University.
In October of 2001, Novi Police Motor Officers participated in
the first annual Michigan State University Police Motorcycle Rodeo
at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. Novi Motor Officers won first
place in the Slow Ride Competition and in the Best Outfitted
Motorcycle competition.
Being on the Novi Police Motor Unit allows
officers to quickly gain access to areas inaccessible by regular
patrol cars, such as park areas and trails. Motor officers are able
to quickly and easily stop traffic offenders. Being on the
motorcycle makes officers more available to the citizens during
patrol as well. Many citizens, especially children, like to ask
questions about the motorcycle. This allows officers to improve
public relations and to inquire about concerns that citizens may
have that have not been addressed with the Police Department.
The Novi Police Motor Unit has been a great addition to the Novi
Police Department and has been a useful tool in the efforts of the
Novi Police Department to be an effective Community Oriented Police
Department.
