Erie, PA Police Department

The History of the Erie Police Department Motorcycle Unit

The Erie Police Department Motor Unit was started on June 7, 1910 with 1 motor officer.  One of the first in the Country and has always ridden Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The size of the unit varies from time to time with retirements and promotions, but usually consists of 8 officers,

The duties of the Motorcycle Unit are numerous and ever changing. Duties include traffic enforcement, escorts of oversize loads, accident scene traffic control, dignitary motorcades, abandoned vehicles, parades, school zone enforcement, special events, any vehicle complaints from citizens, speed enforcement and general patrol duties as needed.

Members of the Motorcycle Unit are selected through an interview process after an officer has 30 months of service with the Erie Police Department. After selection officers are given 160 hours of initial police motorcycle training and are on a six-month probation period. We have a Department instructor certified through Northwest University and Harley-Davidson.

The Unit works a 4 days on and 2 days off work schedule with shifts running 0730-1600 and 1200-2030. During the winter months, November to April, officers revert back to patrol cars to handle mainly accidents but do handle all other calls as necessary.

Photo provided by Ken S. (Retired)
Officer Walter May responded to a call while going off duty He and another police officer rushed a deranged vet in the V.A. office both officer were killed.
Motors
Officer Steve Chludzinski a retired City of Erie Police officer who passed away on January 2, 2011 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 64 years

Information and Photos provided by Ken S. (Retired) and the Erie, PA Police Department