Cincinnati, OH Police Department

The History of the Cincinnati Police Department Motorcycle Unit

The Cincinnati Police Department’s Motorcycle Squad has been in existence since the 1970’s.  In the late 1980’s the Department transitioned to Harley Davidson Motorcycles and has become the tri-states area authority for motorcycle operations.  The squad consists of ten Police Officers and a Sergeant.  The Squad also has two certified trainers that conduct a basic and an annual operator’s course for all local law enforcement agencies. 

The Motorcycle Squad is assigned to Traffic Unit and deployed to various shifts as determined by the Traffic Commander. The Squad operates year round except when restricted by snow and ice.  Their primary duty is traffic enforcement, auto accident investigations, and parking enforcement. 

Annually the Motorcycle Squad participates in many community and civic events.  Requests for demonstrations at local schools, police week, and community meetings are fulfilled when possible.  The Squad showcases its riding talent in area parades such as Opening Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Harvest Home, Blue Ash Memorial Day, the Police Memorial Parade.  

The Motorcycle Squad travels throughout the tri-state region to provide escorts for funerals of police officers killed in the line of duty and for funerals of fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines killed fighting the war on terrorism.  They’ve also traveled as far as Washington D.C. to participate and assist with the National Police Officer’s Memorial services. 

Current Squad members have conducted dignitary escorts for President George W. Bush, President William Clinton, President George H. Bush, Vice President Richard Cheney, Vice President Al Gore, Secretary of State Colin Powell, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and President Barack Obama. 

Every year the Motorcycle Squad leads the Special Olympic Torch Run from Cincinnati, Ohio to Columbus, Ohio.  Area law enforcement officers run various legs of the route and deliver a torch for the Special Olympiads to Ohio Stadium at The Ohio State University.

Unit members receiving the Pinnacle Award for Outstanding Service from the Cincinnati USA Convention and Visitors Bureau are Sergeant Bill Halusek, Specialist Al Gober, and Police Officers Howard Smith (Instructor), Chris Thomas (Instructor), Derrick Hill, Terry Pierano, Patrick Norton, Mike Silberstein, Leigh Cherni, Chris Perry, and Bill Fagin.

1930’s
Motor Unit Group Photo 2012
2015
2015 Officers Christopher Thomas, Thomas Haas, Howard Smith and Sgt. Phillip Buccino
Officer Jeffery Meister
2016
2017 Honor Flight
Officer Haas
2018 Police Memorial

Information and Photos provided by the Cincinnati, OH Police Department.