News

Jun 13, 2023

New police motorcycles now cruising in Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Three new public safety motorcycles are now (loudly) cruising

KALAMAZOO, MI -- Three new public safety motorcycles are now (loudly) cruising the streets of Kalamazoo.

The three 2023 Harley Davidson Electra Glides, each leased for three years for $19,555.56, are now officially part of the force. Officers are riding them daily as part of regular operations in the city, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Captain Chris Franks said.

KDPS has eight people certified to ride the motorcycles, after they took an 80-hour course. Franks is one of the leaders of the recently reestablished motorcycle unit, he said.

The main use is to appear in parades and events, like the Kalamazoo marathon, and to provide escorts.

A secondary use is "light patrol" and traffic enforcement, Franks said.

"One big thing it is going to help with, when there is I-94 construction, when you have gridlock, a motorcycle can snake through traffic a lot easier than a car," Franks said.

Kalamazoo has a "public safety department," meaning officers serve as police, fire and emergency medical responders. The motorcycles are stocked with first responder gear and medical supplies.

Officers are being instructed to place their firefighter gear on the fire truck they’re assigned to, so they can meet up and suit up at the scene.

Franks acknowledged motorcycles do not have protection like cars do and can be more dangerous.

"One thing we stressed to all riders is that we are to ride defensively," Franks said. Each certified officer will also complete an 8-hour training once a month, he said.

"We’ll run through the courses to stay proficient and stay on top of riding abilities," Franks said. Riding is a perishable skill that has to be kept up for safety, he said.

The motorcycles could be used in a variety of situations when patrolling, he said. It could be used to begin a pursuit, since officers can't predict when someone will flee, he said. In that case, officers would request a police cruiser to join the pursuit as soon as possible to take over for the motorcycle.

The community response has been positive, he said, and people have come outside just to look when they drive by, giving thumbs up.

"They’re not quiet motorcycles," Franks said.

Still, on the road behind a vehicle, the two-wheelers can go unnoticed to some vehicles, like a driver clocked going 18 mph over the speed limit by one of the Harleys before a traffic stop, he said.

The new motorcycles can also be a recruitment tool, Franks said, and people have shown interest in the idea of training to be a motorcycle officer.

Franks takes one of them out for a ride each week. The new motorcycles with "POLICE" and "FIRE" on the front of them sometimes cause a stir.

He welcomes people to come up and say hello.

"Some are not used to seeing it," Franks said.

Want to see them for yourself?

KDPS is planning to bring at least one to the Kalamazoo Classic 10k Run and 5k Run/Walk Saturday, June 17, Franks said.

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