This past week in Southern California there has been two separate terrible incidents involving law enforcement motor officers. Both incidents involved CHP motor officers while on duty. One officer is in critical condition and the other officer passed away at the scene. For safety sake, perhaps it is time to retire the motorcycle from active duty law enforcement. To some, such a suggestion is heresy. To others, the cost in both lives and tax dollars necessitate the retirement.
Those in support of motorcycles state that motor officers act as a sort of "shock troops" and can respond even if roads are damaged or destroyed due to earthquake or other natural or man-made disasters. It is also stated that a motorcycle is less expensive than a patrol car. Another less talked about reason to maintain motor officers is that they are considered elite officers that have well earned they appointment to motor duty. However, those concerned about safety and taxpayer cost point out that even though the purchase cost of a motorcycle is less, motorcycles are not usually shared among the different shifts as are patrol cars. In other words, one motorcycle for each motor officer and one patrol car for three officers. Additionally, many departments authorize motor officers to ride their motorcycle to and from work. This increases the liability for injury and therefore increases the taxpayer's exposure. In most accidents, even if the motorcycle rider is not at fault, they suffer the more serious injuries.
This week's tragedies call for the question: Should law enforcement motorcycles be retired?
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