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