Florida State University Police Department

The History of the Florida State University Police Department Motorcycle Unit

by Ofc Justin Maloy

The Florida State University Police Department (FSUPD)

established their first motorcycle unit in the early 1960’s.

The motor unit utilized small sprint-type motorcycles, three

wheeled motorcycles and the traditional Harley Davidson

police motors to patrol campus. The motor unit was

disbanded in the late 1970’s, when a motor officer was

seriously injured in a traffic crash.

After almost thirty years without a motor unit, a new motor

unit was established in 2004, when FSUPD purchased two

new BMW F650GS police motors. One of the main

priorities of establishing this new motor unit was safety and

training, so two officers were selected and they had to

attend and pass the eighty hour ITPM Police Motorcycle

Operator’s Course. Since the motor unit has been

reestablished, it has been a great success. In late 2005,

FSUPD acquired three new 2006 Harley Davidson Road

King police motors, which expanded the motor unit to five

operators. In 2008 FSUPD acquired two more new Harley

Davidson Road King police motors and the BMW’s were

phased out.

There are currently five motor officers assigned to the

motor unit and two of the motor officers are IPTM Police

Motorcycle Instructors. The motor unit also has a certified

Harley Davidson service technician on staff. The motor unit

conducts eight hours of motorcycle training per month. The

motorcycle training changes monthly and may consist of:

cone courses, emergency braking exercises, off-road

riding, escort procedures, crash avoidance exercises, traffic

stop procedures and weapons handling/tactics on the

police motor. The motor unit participates in police

motorcycle training seminars and competitions. The motor

unit has won numerous awards for their performance and

motorcycle handling skills.

The motor unit is currently part of the FSUPD Patrol

Division. A motor officer’s main duties are to patrol

campus, answer calls for service, conduct traffic

enforcement and interact with the campus community.

Florida State University Police Department is an equal

opportunity employer. For employment opportunities,

please go to our website: http://www.police.fsu.edu/

Information and Photos provided by the Florida State University Police Department