The Connecticut State Police Motorcycle Unit

The Connecticute State Police Motorcycle Unit, or "motors" as they are universally known, was reactivated in the 1980's after being extinct since around the 1950's. This experience was repeated in many departments throughout the country, both state and local. Motor Units were disbanded for many reasons, and considered unsafe by some. Over the years the training provided to police motor units was greatly improved, and the units have seen a dramatic comeback. New York SP revived their program in 1997, New Jersey and Indiana SP in 2003, Illinois SP in 2006. Around 1981 then CSP Colonel Les Forst decided to recreate the unit on a trial basis. He sent several troopers to the west coast where they underwent intense training under the guidance of the California Highway Patrol. If you've ever seen the difficulty of police motorcycle training, you can appreciate the task these troopers accomplished, completing first basic motor training, and then instructor training. After completion of their training, they returned to Connecticut and began training the first CSP troopers. The motor unit of choice at that time (no doubt influenced by the CHP) was the Kawasaki Police KZ1000. The first few bikes were put in the field, and their success was immediate. A short couple of years later the Kawasaki was replaced by the Harley Davidson Police Road King, still the model of choice today.

The current State Police Motorcycle Unit consists of 17 Troopers each of whom is assigned a motorcycle. They are assigned throughout the State for maximum coverage with the motorcycles. Each unit member has successfully completed a 160-hour basic Police Motorcycle Operator's Course. The course is designed to develop the Trooper's riding abilities and skill level to deal with the demands of patrol riding. The motorcycle unit serves many functions such as dignitary/high profile escorts, motor vehicle enforcement and general patrol activities. They are used in almost all weather and lighting conditions. The motors have long been able to gain easier access when responding to certain areas due to their smaller profile. Think of a grid-blocked highway where full sized cruisers cannot make progress. The CSP Motor Unit also provides basic police motorcycle training for municipal police agencies throughout Connecticut and has trained 70 state and local officers since 2002. In 2007 the unit conducted three classes graduating 16 state and local police officers. Five new troopers were added to the unit after graduating from their basic operator course, the first in five years to be added. The Motor Unit was also involved with two out-of-state training classes involving the training of motorcycle instructors.

Interested in what the training is like? Northwestern University and Harley Davidson offer what has become the standard course of police motorcycle training. Take a look at the program page and take note of the duration and description. Pay particular attention to where it says "participating students are welcome to bring their own motorcycle but can expect to return with $1,500-$2,000 in cosmetic damages at the end of the two week operator course". There is more in-depth description of the training HERE. This training is restricted to sworn police officers, but similar courses are offered to civilians on occasion. It is difficult and intense, and failures are not uncommon.

  

For a first-hand description of police motor training, take a look at this site: Diary of a Motorcycle Officer