Hillsborough County, FL Sheriff’s Office

The History of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Motorcycle Unit

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office prior to 1988 only had two (2) Kawasaki KZ-1000 Ps that were used for parades and some traffic enforcement but there were no deputies assigned to them.  They were used only for special occasions and operations as directed.  Sometime in 1988 then Sheriff Walter C. Heinrich started the unit with two bikes and deputies were assigned as their primary duty as motor officers.  After approximately 2 years the unit transitioned to the Harley-Davidson FXRP.  In 1990 the unit was expanded to eight (8) bikes, four (4) per district.  The unit was made of both the Kawasaki and Harley-Davidsons.  Sometime in 1997 the entire fleet was comprised of Harley-Davidson FXRP’s.  The FXRP was replaced by the Harley-Davidson Road King around 1999 or 2000.  The unit was expanded to 24 bikes in total and now are divided into 6 districts.  The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are riding the 2006 Harley-Davidson Police Road King with the ABS package.  All of HCSO motor deputies must complete a 2-week motor school with instruction provided by active instructor within the Unit.  HCSO also has reserve deputies that ride as well as some full time deputies which function in an alternate capacity when additional motors are needed.

2002 Southeast Police Motorcycle Rodeo
2002
Photo provided by M. Riley
2010
2011 Southeast Police Motorcycle Rodeo
2015 Space Coast Motor Officers

Information and Photos provided by the Hillsborough County, FL Sheriff’s Office