NCJ Number
62045
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 27 Issue: 7 Dated: (JULY 1979) Pages: 60-64
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE SELECTION AND TRAINING OF MIAMI, FLORIDA'S MOTORCYCLE SQUAD ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT UNIT OF MOTORCYCLE SQUAD OF THE MIAMI POLICE DEPARTMENT CONSISTS OF 25 OFFICERS WHO WORK A TWO-SHIFT SCHEDULE DAILY. CANDIDATES FOR THE SQUAD MUST HAVE HAD AT LEAST 1 YEAR'S SERVICE AS AN OFFICER WITH THE DEPARTMENT. SELECTION IS BASED UPON THE CANDIDATE'S SAFETY RECORD, EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND, TARDINESS RECORD, HIGH PRODUCTIVITY IN THE PRESENT ASSIGNMENT, GENERAL CHARACTER, AND ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN RIDING A MOTORCYCLE IS REQUIRED. PRIOR TO THE ACTUAL TRAINING, WHICH CONSISTS OF 16 SEPARATE RIDING COURSES DURING THE 3 TO 4 WEEK PERIOD, CLASSROOM WORK IS CONDUCTED ON TRAFFIC REGULATIONS. FORTY MINUTES OF EACH HOUR IN AN EIGHT-HOUR DAY IS DEVOTED TO RIDING MANEUVERS. THE REMAINING 20 MINUTES IN EACH HOUR DEALS WITH CLASSROOM WORK CONSISTING OF (1) DISCUSSION OF RIDING MANEUVERS BEING PRACTICED, (2) A STUDY OF METROPOLITAN TRAFFIC ORDINANCES, (3) DEPARTMENTAL RULES AND REGULATIONS, (4) POLICIES ESTABLISHED BY THE SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT UNIT, (5) PROPER CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT, (6) EXPECTATIONS OF THE MOTORCYCLE OFFICER, AND (7) PATROL TECHNICALITIES. A DETAILED EXPLANATION OF NOMENCLATURE OF THE HARLEY-DAVIDSON 1200 CC MOTORCYCLE IS ALSO COVERED. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNIT INCLUDE POINT CONTROL OF TRAFFIC, ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION, REDUCTION OF ACCIDENTS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN HIGH SCHOOLS, CRIME PATROL WORK, ESCORTING DIGNITARIES IN PARADES, SPECIAL PROJECTS, CONTROL OF ORANGE BOWL TRAFFIC, AND PROTECTION OF OFFICIALS AT CITY FUNCTIONS. THE DEPARTMENT'S ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT UNIT IS ABOUT $500,000. (RCB)