Pros and Cons to Motor Unit

[Check_Your_Six]

First let me say that I have searched and read all the other threads on "Motor" cops. The information about how to get assigned and what they do was very helpful.

My current question though, relates more to those who ARE motor cops and what they like about the job. I mean aside from getting to ride a motorcycle all day and having a take home ride, what else makes it enjoyable?

I'm a huge motorcycle enthusiast and about to start the academy with the local PD. Motors is something I've been thinking about doing once I'm eligible, but wanted to hear the pros and cons from people who do it. I personally can't think of much else (aside from flying a fighter jet) that would be as enjoyable as getting paid to ride a motorcycle for a living. This is of course just from my point of view, b/c of my love for bikes.

Thanks in advance.

[JKralC104]

Con number one... The 7 or 10 year wait to get on the unit

[ask80]

i think most motor cops just give tickets and do accident investigations... or maybe just tickets... you get to take it home and most officers love motorcycles. or maybe they love those moto boots?

cons: wait forever for a spot to open, lot more dangerous, and helmet hair

[Fuzz]

cons: almost getting killed everyday on the road by drivers with their heads up their you know whats

Pros:I work where I want to, I dont have to answer the radio for calls, I get tons of schools/training, I get to work all the special events I want (escorts,concerts,parades,etc), lots of interaction with motors from all the other departments in the county, extra money, take home ride, getting paid to ride a motorcycle in Southern California weather

Motors is a pretty good assignment....it is not permanent for our department so I will rotate back to patrol in a couple of years, but I have really enjoyed my time on the bike.

[Darkwulfe]

I am sure I am leaving out some stuff but here are a few.

Pros:

You get to ride a motorcycle at work. Most are take home vehicles so you save some on gas and can go 10-8 from your house. (but that also means your neighbors now know who you are)

For the most part you get left alone regarding the normal call rotation so you can concentrate on traffic enforcement. But that all depends on your agency, some motors take calls, some take accidents, and some are strictly there for traffic enforcement.

Working traffic is easier. You can turn on a dime; weave in and out of traffic to get to were you need to go. You can turn on just about any offender in almost any traffic situation. People don't notice you on the side of the road like they do a patrol car. This all equals more stops in less time.

Cons:

It's dangerous. No crumple zones, airbags, or seatbelts.

You are soaked with sweat by 10 am and never dry out until you take off your vest. The sun is hot and so is that engine you are sitting on. NO AC.

Writing tickets or doing an accident report on the back of a bike in the rain sucks.

You will lose some of your hearing after awhile. From the engine noise to the speakers in your helmets, it will permanently affect your hearing.

You think your patrol uniform is uncomfortable, add the horse riding boots, tight pants, and that helmet.

Less room to put all your junk you think you need but rarely ever use.

[Check_Your_Six]

That a lot more pertitent information than I used to hearing... thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

[ask80]

lol. i don't know of any agencies that allow motorcycle officers to ride in the rain.

edit: the officers i know grab a car in the rain..

[ateamer]

So that wasn't really one of the CHP motor officers (who I have known for many years and am quite certain is a CHP officer) riding in the rain a couple weeks ago?

[Darkwulfe]

lol. i don't know of any agencies that allow motorcycle officers to ride in the rain.

What? I have never heard of one that prohibits it... take a look at Seattle PD. When do they NOT ride in the rain?

So you are driving along on your motor and get hit with an unexpected rain cloud. You just supposed to park it and walk from there or what? That doesn't make sense.

On the other hand, there are many motor officers who refuse to ride in the rain and grab a car if precipitation is expected.

[Fuzz]

What? I have never heard of one that prohibits it... take a look at Seattle PD. When do they NOT ride in the rain?

So you are driving along on your motor and get hit with an unexpected rain cloud. You just supposed to park it and walk from there or what? That doesn't make sense.

On the other hand, there are many motor officers who refuse to ride in the rain and grab a car if precipitation is expected.

I have had many a ride to work or to home in the rain and I avoid it at all costs, but it is not prohibited. When I am at work if it is raining I will grab a car so I dont get soaked and have someplace to warm up/dry off.

Funny side story.....we had an officer lateral from Washington state a while back and he was riding in a car behind several motors. As we were riding we went through a stream of water across the road and as usual we pointed it out to the motors behind us. Later he told us he thought it was pretty funny because he was a motor in Washington and if they were going to point out anything it would have to be the dry spots because it rains so much and they are always riding in the wet weather.

[SgtCHP]

I rode for about fifteen years total. I have ridden in the rain, but most times, if it starts raining when I am at work, I ride to the office, pick up a four-wheeler and go back out. Then I would ride home in the rain. No big thing if you watch your speed and stay out of the gutters.

[ateamer]

Not necessarily police, but you aren't a real rider unless you've stopped under an overpass in another state to put on your raingear.

[AZLawDawg]

in AZ there is but one con.... Summer.

[LeeRoy]

Cons:

While Spring and Fall are great riding the Summer and winter can be hard on the body.
My unit wrote tickets and took wrecks. It gets old after a while and I longed for patrol.
Since I was working traffic a vast majority of my contacts were negative. I worked in a nice town so I was generally writing tickets to nice folks. People don't thank you much for getting stubbed.

Pros:

Take home bike
Go to all of the hot calls and help stabilize but take very little paper on them.
Boots & breeches
Look cool
Rich guys in BMW's and Mercedes' and fire fighters wish they were motor cops.

[jsnewk]

We do lots of military and police/fire funeral escorts. There is NOTHING that makes me prouder than to lead these brave heros to their final resting grounds. I swell with pride when our Unit gets thanks from the families. There are hundreds of other pros but to me that's the big one.