Setcom Says

From Behind the Scenes: The 2nd Annual Coppell Police Motorcycle Competition

March 25 – 27, 2010
By Sergeant Eric Debus

The idea for a police motorcycle rodeo in Coppell, Texas was born when Officers from the Coppell Police Department wanted to raise funds for a fallen officer memorial. They got their chance and in 2009 they chose to host the first ever police motorcycle rodeo in their city. The event was so successful that they were able to go on to select March 25 – 27, 2010 for the 2nd Annual Coppell Police Motorcycle Competition.

Eager to begin the planning for the 2010 rodeo, work began in November of 2009 with Officer Joshua Jackson lining up corporate sponsors and their donations to help fund the event. Contact was made with Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S), Metroplex Chapter and they were excited to be the recipient of any funds raised through this event. While Officer Jackson worked to find sponsors, other members of the Coppell traffic unit began networking with other agencies to generate motor-jock interest. What began in 2009 with 28 entrants grew to 44 competitors for 2010. Officers from around the state and as far away as Chula Vista, California arrived on Thursday, March 25 to begin to practice and train for the official competition on Saturday.

Coppell Officers have been fortunate to train and compete at various events. They have drawn from the experience of other competitions to make this, their home town event, special. One example of what they brought to the show is what is called the “red light” exercise which is an individual mirror pattern course. Riders enter a center gate and then turn right and make a u-turn left, or turn left and make a u-turn right. Proving to be an intense run, as the competitor enters the pattern they trip a sensor that randomly lights up a red light on either the right or left side. The rider then has to avoid the light by riding the pattern in the opposite direction. This course challenges the rider’s skill by forcing them to practice going both left and right, working their agility. Come Saturday, when the timed competition began, it became a quick-thinking and decision making process on how best to avoid the red light. This was one of the most exciting courses to watch officer attempt!

Sgt. Toby Bowen and Sgt. Eric Debus, both of the Coppell Police Department, competed in San Diego County Motor Officer’s Association Motorcycle Competition in 2009 and brought fresh new ideas to this year’s event. Added to the fun of this year’s rodeo was a two-man follow the leader event, a four-man follow the leader, and the “Coppell Challenge”. The Coppell Challenge is a Top-Gun event where competing officers attempt to cause each other to commit an error while riding inside a pattern. It was a single elimination event that, to no ones surprise, was won by Officer Rusty Rea from Chula Vista, CA. While the California Officers had the benefit of prior experience on this one, the Texas Officers are anxiously awaiting a rematch next year.Rounding out the competition, Officer Donnie Williams, representing McKinney, Texas PD, defended his “fastest clean run” title by again whipping the other riders in the individual event. With this win, Officer Williams proudly retained the coveted blue denim vest that is passed along each year to the fastest rider.

During the competition an estimated crowd of 1000 took part in the festivities and visited the many vendor booths that were present. The adjacent park was a favorite spot for the smaller kids to play while moms and dads watched the action on the course. Leading up to the event Sgt. Debus and Officer Jackson met with various motorcycle rider groups to advertise the rodeo. This worked out well as about a dozen different motorcycle “gangs” were represented to show their support. The event turn-out was phenomenal and the support shown to the riders and C.O.P.S was overwhelming.

Thanks to all of the participants and attendees of the Coppell Motorcycle Rodeo, coming out and showing your support made the 2010 competition a resounding success with $12,000.00 raised for Concerns of Police Survivors. Plans are already under way for next year’s event….stay tuned.

Gulf Coast Police Motorcycle Skills Championship

Dateline: November 6, 2009. Gonzales, LA (30°13′38″N / 90°55′11″W). Temperature 80 degrees.

The Gulf Coast Police Motorcycle Skills Championship was once again held at the Cabela’s Outdoor World. It’s a great venue for a police motorcycle rodeo. This year an estimated 150 riders showed up from multiple states including Florida, Michigan, Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and, of course, Louisiana.

As proclaimed on its water tower, Gonzales is the Jambalaya Capital of the World. Every May, Gonzales hosts a competition for the best jambalaya and the winner is named the Jambalaya King. On Friday, some excellent jambalaya was cooked at the site of the rodeo and it was hailed by all who ate it.

The event continues to support Dream Day Foundation which provides support to St. Jude’s Hospital. It’s a wonderful charity and the rodeo has raised more than $175,000 for St. Jude over the past decade.

As you would expect, the competition was fierce and the challenges were many on the individual skills course, individual slow ride, team slow ride, partner ride and the challenge course. See a slow ride and some of the practice riding on Setcom’s YouTube channel.

The light at the end of the rodeo tunnel leads to the coveted “Mr. Rodeo” award. This award represents the overall excellence of one rider in all of the categories combined. Winning the award and representing his hosting home state was Sergeant David Wallace of the Baton Rouge Police Department. Sgt. Wallace placed first in the expert class ride, fastest clean run, team slow ride, overall teams, and finally, the overall individual ride to claim his title as “Mr. Rodeo” for 2009.

The 2009 Gulf Coast Police Motorcycle Rodeo had all the right factors to make it an excellent competition, from the courses, to the excellent hospitality shown by the hosting departments, to the supporting vendors, and of course, the participating motor officers. Everything went smoothly and left everyone looking forward to next year’s events.

Thanks to Sgt. Carl Dabadie of the Baton Rouge Police Department and all of the others who worked so hard to put on this year’s rodeo. It was definitely a success.

The 2009 Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Rodeo and Skills Competition

Wednesday, September 16th, I left Austin for Dulles Airport outside of Washington D.C., the ultimate destination being Culpeper, VA for the Mid-Atlantic Police Motorcycle Skills Competition and Rodeo. Travel can be a challenge at times, and this was certainly one of those times. Rain blanketed the northeast that evening which made things interesting. The last leg of the plane ride was less like your average plane ride and more like the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland, eventful to say the least.

The next morning, I made it to the location of the event in pretty steady rain. The course was already laid out and many of the participating departments were already unloaded from their trailers and were getting squared away. The Culpeper Sheriff’s Office had taken lead on organizing and laying out the event, using their mobile command center to anchor the field, provide announcements and generally keep things in line. The officers from Culpeper were the first to greet anyone who came in, offered help and assistance and also pancakes and coffee, which are always appreciated. Much thanks to the professionals from the Culpeper Sheriff’s Office and those supporting them, between a warm cup of coffee and shelter from the rain it was a nice way to start.

Because the rain never really let up on Thursday, the officers had to contend with not only the challenging course itself, but the rain coming down and the slickness it created. During the morning and early afternoon, I saw quite of few of the officers slide and fight with the conditions as they rode and became more familiar with the course. What was amazing about this, and continually impressed me that day and the next, was their ability to slide or skid but keep control and barrel through. To me, this translated to their abilities in the field. For these officers to be able to control the motors in the way they do, even in the inclement weather, means that they are able to protect the public and do their job consistently. This is a very important thing because while events like this are nice, there is the underlying fact that these riders competing and running this skills course are also officers of the law.

Departments from as far south as Baton Rouge, Louisiana were at the event, but all were dwarfed in size by the representative body from Fairfax County PD who had at least 25-30 officers or more in attendance. Many of the officers had their own style of riding, some worked through the course with a razor’s precision while others had a more fluid disposition. None was more fluid of a style than the officers from Baton Rouge Police Department. A couple of the officers reminded me more of bull riders than motorcycle riders. I later overheard a couple officers in the Setcom booth remark about one of the Baton Rouge riders and that he actually used to ride bulls for a living and that it influenced his riding style.

The vast majority of officers at the event use Setcom gear on their motors and have Super Seer helmets. I was able to give away quite a few windscreens to our officers! On Friday, the rain finally subsided around the time they planned to set up the challenge run. They reset the course with a large, metallic teeter-totter, a small, circular coned area, a ride through bales of hay and a golf cart positioned opposite a large Fairfax Country truck with a plastic hunting deer and hay bale in front of it. The idea was, the officers made a couple of turns, went up and over the teeter-totter, into the circular area (where you had to go around once without using the brake) and then exit, turn, go through the hay bales and then stop your motor, get it turned off, run and grab a paint ball gun and shoot an X on the deer. Thankfully there were no incidents on the teeter-totter. I was talking with Officer Alpy of Loudon County Sheriff about it and he joked that once you go, you just better go. There were a few officers that slightly overshot the golf cart to get in position to shoot the deer. There was an announcement made prior to starting the challenge ride to ‘please not use your sidearm to shoot the deer.’ Quite a few officers hit the Fairfax County vehicle (and took some good natured pride in that) when trying to shoot the deer with the provided paint ball gun.

Overall, the event was very enjoyable. It was a strong reminder that while each of the officers participating has their own lives, families, children etc, they are officers of the law and take great pride in their work. I appreciated the time I had to chat with many of the officers from the participating departments and watch them run the courses. The skill and practice it takes to get as good as they are is no small feat. Thank you to the Culpeper Sheriff’s Office for hosting the event, the County and all the participants. I’m glad Setcom was able to be there, both in the rain and out, for this enjoyable event.

In Memory - George Weisiger

On July 16, 2009, Setcom lost a good friend to a tragic accident. George Weisiger was killed after being struck by a vehicle as he was riding his bike. George, 29, was Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Squad Fitters, a family owned business in Urbana, and he was a strong supporter of Setcom’s products. He was a very upbeat person and loved by all who knew him. He had a significant role in the growth and success of Squad Fitters. George will be deeply missed by the Setcom family and the entire police motorcycle community.

In George’s memory, Setcom has made a donation to University of Illinois Foundation, designated to the University High School Music Department. Click here to read more about George.

The 2009 North American Motor Officer’s Association Symposium

Located in the Rogue Valley between the Cascade Range and Siskiyou Mountains, about 2 miles outside Medford, Oregon, is the Jackson County Expo Center and Fairgrounds, the host site for the 2009 NAMOA International Training Conference. It was another thrilling year at the 2009 symposium. The expo and fairground’s spacious parking lot allowed room for over 25 riders to compete simultaneously on the various courses provided, as well as accommodate the multiple vendor exhibits that were showcased.

Registration for events began Wednesday, May 13th and practice began and continued through Friday afternoon. The competition consisted of five different courses to challenge the officers and keep them on their toes throughout the week. A break for lunch was welcomed daily at 11:30am and provided the riders and vendors a time to relax and get acquainted with motor officers from visiting cities.

On Thursday morning, the officers faced a different challenge with rain and water on the courses. However weather conditions did not stop the intense course practice, instead the riders utilized the conditions for training and handled it as just another environmental hazard they might face.

As a seeming reward for the officers’ diligence, Friday and Saturday turned out to be beautiful as weather conditions returned to sunny days and a comfortable 75 degrees.

Motor officers were handling an array of bikes, riding Harley’s, BMW’s, and Honda’s. Beaudry Motorsports was in attendance and boasted the new Kawasaki 1400 GTR Police Bike, making it available for test rides. Not surprisingly, many of the motor officers took them up on their offer! A department staying ahead of the curve and currently using these new bikes is the Idaho State Patrol. The new Kawasaki is not only a sharp looking motorcycle; it has 155 HP and a top end of 150 MPH.

After the long days of practice, The Ramada Medford and Convention Center was home in the evening for many of the motor officers and their families. On Friday evening, the Association held “Vendor Night” where free pizza and beer were provided to all who came by to talk with vendors. The event created a friendly atmosphere to discuss new products – clothing for officers, emergency lighting for motorcycles, Motorola radios, and police motorcycle communication equipment. On Saturday evening, a special banquet was held for the motor officers and their families recognizing the officers with the best course times. It was a wonderful, relaxing time to commend the winning officers and conclude a very successful week.

The hospitality expressed, and organization of each day’s events made the conference a fun time for the motor officers and their families. Very special thanks to John Naccarato – President of NAMOA, Pete Dalton – Secretary-Treasurer, and Greg Nichols who was our host in Medford. Click for this year’s results. The 2010 NOMOA Conference will be held in Marysville, WA.

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About NAMOA- the North American Motor Officers Association was formed in 1982 by Officer’s from Gresham, Beaverton (OR) and Vancouver, WA and Clark County SO (WA) - Originally named Oregon Washington Motor Officers Association. The basis was for small units (2 to 4 motors each) to join together annually to promote training and safety skills. From 1984 through 1994, more cities joined the Association from Washington and Oregon. In 1994 the Association voted to change the name to NAMOA. From 1995 to the present time, cities from British Columbia, Alberta, and RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) have joined the Association. (NAMOA website).

Space City Police Motorcycle Challenge

May 14th – 16th, 2009
Pasadena, TX
Brad Harris

I have to first start off by saying that the men and women from the Lone Star Pony Express, and the Harris County Sheriff’s department really put together a great event sponsoring the Autistic Treatment Center of Texas. All proceeds from this event will be donated to provide 24/7 care for children from Texas, which include life skills required for everyday living.

The 2nd Annual Space City Police Motorcycle Challenge venue this year was the San Jacinto Harley Davidson in Pasadena, Tx. What a great site, they had nine different challenges spread out over an entire acre of parking lot. Registration and practice started on Thursday, and Friday, which was followed up by the ever challenging competition Saturday morning at 9:00 am sharp. With departments coming in from the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex (Burleson PD, Coppell PD) we all knew the competition was going to be stiff. During the practice rounds, each department kept a watchful eye of who was running fast. This brought out the competitive spirit in each of them, even though they were hot and tired. It would always get them motivated enough to straddle that Harley for one more go at the impressive obstacle. When I thought I had seen it all, I notice everyone watching the course. Low and behold I see Ofc. Kevin Cordell (Burleson PD) actually maneuvering through the course SIDE SADDLE (see image below), very impressive. This will be something I can take with me to many other events I will be attending throughout the year. Well the practice rounds slowly came to an end and the dust settled, I could see the makings of a fantastic rodeo.

We will provide full results once published as well as adding great pictures to www.setcomcorp.com/training.html. Once again, I would like to thank the Lone Star Pony Express, and the Harris County Sheriff’s department, especially Deputy Dennis Bedingfield for taking time away from his busy schedule to organize and help such a great cause.

California Office of Traffic Safety

Summit 2009 April 8-10th, 2009

For those of you who get updates from the blog and don’t know me, my name is Charlie Buttermann and I’m one the Account Executives for the company. I’ve been with Setcom since 2007 and have learned a great deal about the public safety market from a business perspective as well as from an occupational perspective. My appreciation for the daily work that goes into being a police motor officer has grown and it fuels my passion for my work and the work our company does. It was a great opportunity to attend the OTS Conference to see a little more about what is really driving the market for new technologies and also the wide array of presentations about trends in law enforcement and safety. I have to say that the OTS folks did a really great job of putting on the conference not only for the vendors but also for the attendees. Because officer safety is so important, I thought it was very encouraging to hear so much about topics related to the day-to-day work through the lens of improved safety and awareness.

Because I live in San Francisco, it was an easy MUNI ride down to the Marriott Hotel in downtown San Francisco for the conference. The staff at the hotel was very helpful and I think were sincerely glad to have the police professionals and the OTS conference there. I had a chance to speak with other vendors at the conference and I got a sense that much of the technology and products coming out of our market is focused on three main areas:

1. Improved accuracy and performance. Much of the technology I saw improved on existing equipment (speed detection, data collection) but in innovative and interesting ways. For example, I saw speed detection guns that have built in cameras so that while it’s getting a reading for speed, it is simultaneously taking a picture of the potential offender’s license plate. I thought this was interesting because it seems like this could cut down the amount of time in the back end of traffic enforcement; to make it more efficient and streamlined. This would certainly allow officers more time to focus on the tasks at hand and not as much on the back end paperwork aspect of it.
2. Awareness and enforcement of traffic laws. In terms of awareness and enforcement of traffic laws, I thought it was really interesting to read through summaries and talk with attendees and presenters about topics related to law enforcement. At one of the lunches I had the privilege of talking with a couple folks associated with bicycle and pedestrian safety in California. It was very interesting to hear about how cities deal with realistic enforcement of laws while contending with growth and additional people on the roadways who aren’t necessarily in a car. In San Francisco, this is a sensitive issue because of the amount of bicycles on the streets and also the sheer amount of pedestrians everywhere. It seems only logical that proper enforcement comes from greater awareness by the public of safety laws. The question of how that’s done sparked a great deal of spirited discussion – how to use public funds in a way that’s not only effective on message but cost effective for getting the message across.
3. Safety. Because the entire conference was really centered on safety, there were many different topics that came up. There were presentations about new car owners, new drivers (teenagers), senior drivers, hands free technology and safety in driving, motorcycles in traffic and of particular interest to me, DUI enforcement, checkpoints and female DUI arrests. This topic interests me because I lost a family friend to a drunk driving accident when I was much younger and have always thought it was a tragedy that could have been prevented. The level of seriousness when it comes to not only the safety of the motor officer but also of the driver in DUI enforcement was encouraging. If you are an officer on a suspected DUI traffic stop, you are very literally putting your life on the line. There are many variables to consider in this situation but the underlying message is awareness and prevention. This may seem obvious, but so much of what I heard focused on how to talk to new drivers about drinking and driving, how to present the message to the public in a way that sticks. There are many potential answers to this very difficult question but it is good to know that some very bright and passionate people are working hard at it. If we can prevent drunk driving accidents and protect the safety of officers on the roads through this work, it is very worthwhile. I encourage anyone reading to investigate what programs are in place in your area to curb drunk driving and raise awareness. Whether its share-a-ride, designated driver programs, anything really, if you’re able to get involved to help protect everyone on the roadway, its time well spent.

Overall I thought the conference was very well organized, run and executed. I enjoyed meeting and talking with many officers from all different areas of the state. The sense I get from being in this industry and from working face to face with officers is a sincere and earnest regard for public safety. Every profession has a spectrum of personalities but I really do think that the underlying driving force for all motor officers and law enforcement personnel I work with is a dedication to the public safety and the public good. I personally am proud every day to be a part of that and I take my hat off to not only the OTS staff but to the attendees for their focus and work on these issues.

Fleet Leasing for Law Enforcement – A Guide to New Motors for your Agency

Aside from the benefits which may be realized in the forthcoming “Stimulus Plan,” it’s clear to all involved in government services today that long term constrained budgets are a reality. Given that tight budgets may deter command staff from considering motorcycles, whether a new fleet or simply replacement motors, viable financing alternatives must be considered.

I had the opportunity to reach out to Mr. Barry Kuhnly, Police & Fleet Sales Manager at Bruce Rossmeyer Harley-Davidson. The Rossmeyer dealership’s represent the largest police motorcycle fleet and leasing dealership retail consortium globally. According to Mr. Kuhnly, “Law enforcement agencies would be well advised to consider leasing as an alternative to outright purchase, in order to fix their costs in the term of the lease agreement.” Mr. Kuhnly went on to say that there are several unique requirements your particular department might request of your local, authorized motorcycle dealer, e.g.

• Term: Minimum two year lease term
• Mileage: A two year lease coincides with the two year unlimited mileage warranty provided by Harley-Davidson Motor Company
• Fix Maintenance Costs: Ability to forecast maintenance costs during the term of the lease by adding the anticipated cost of maintenance to the monthly lease payment; given annual forecast mileage, warranty will cover everything except routine maintenance
• Procure Optional Equipment: Consider also adding optional equipment such as new Setcom ComKit Systems or perhaps Whelen LED police emergency lighting systems to the cost of the lease. As example, new ComKit System or LED lighting equipment may be paid for during the term of the two-year lease; however, such optional equipment may last for several years after the initial lease term allowing for subsequent leases to be less.

Please consider these topics when discussing your department’s next lease with your local, authorized motorcycle dealer. If you follow these simple requests, then your agency will be fortunate enough to secure a lease program, with a fixed cost lease term, while acquiring much needed emergency/option equipment.

In today’s turbulent economy the two year lease is a way to forecast exactly what your costs will be for the next couple years no matter which direction the economy goes and protects the department during these uncertain times.

Though there are many lease resources available throughout the country today, your lease efforts should first begin at your local motorcycle dealer. Your local authorized dealer should be well-versed in all aspects of leasing and the resources necessary to secure the best lease program to meet your department’s needs and wants. If not, it’s time to find a knowledgeable dealer.

Harley-Davidson Financial Services effectively supports the municipal leasing programs offered by many authorized Harley-Davidson dealers. However, there’s also a wide world of successful leasing companies just waiting for the opportunity to support your local efforts. One of my personal favorites is Sparta Commercial Services, Inc., Personal Contact: Mr. Louis Musher, Commercial Products Manager, 800.882.0778, ext. 217, or E-mail: louis@spartacommercial.com. Sparta tends to offer some unique lease program focused advantages, such as,

• Payments terms designed to meet your agency’s needs
• Highly flexible payment plan options
• Optional and essential equipment that may be financed within the lease
• A special “Lease-to-Own Program” for those municipalities wishing to own their motorcycles at lease-end, offering a $1 Buyout at lease-end
• All brands and models are welcomed

According to Mr. Musher, Sparta Commercial Services, “Through our experience we have found that some agencies would prefer longer terms for any number of reasons, including the fact that longer terms can keep the lease payments lower.”

Here’s a personal testimonial from New Jersey, as told to Sparta Commercial Services, Inc (Municipal Leasing),

“Everything was perfect; everything happened on schedule. For the first time, leasing was made easy, and as the officer assigned to complete the documentation, as well as ride the motorcycle, it was certainly appreciated… I don’t know of any other leasing company that calls their customers every so often just to see how things are going.”
– Motor Officer Ben Christiano
Township of Bloomfield, NJ Police Department

There are a few agencies scattered across the country requiring individual officers to purchase their own motor and the act to cover various expenses. If you are responsible for acquiring your own motor, then Sparta’s “American Heroes Program” is worth consideration, as they offer special discount rates for all law enforcement officers, fire fighters and also military personnel.

As the second largest selling brand of police and authority motorcycles in the US, BMW Motorrad USA encourages a five year lease term program. At the end of the lease term, the department has several options,

• Purchase the motor for just one dollar
• Continue the service life of their existing motors, without any additional lease payments
• Use the resale value of the used motors as a substantial down payment to be applied to the purchase of new motors

Generally, BMW doesn’t focus on short-term leasing (for 1-2 years). That is, given the anticipated long service life and projected operating costs of BMW motorcycles, such leases are not deemed to be cost effective. The specialty LED lighting systems on BMW’s is manufactured by Code 3 right here in the states and is also covered under the BMW warranty of 39 months/60,000 mile warranty. When purchasing the completely outfitted BMW (with specially designed Code 3 Lighting System) there is no need to ever deal with a separate vendor for warranty issues on the lighting system. Again, please see your authorized BMW retailer for complete details.

If you need direction regarding other leasing company resources just let me know, there are many more ready and willing to do business.

The very best place to search for a viable lease program, tailor-made for your agency, is to begin looking right in your own backyard; start with your local authorized dealer.

New Motorcycle Purchases to Qualify for Stimulus Bill State Sales and Excise Tax Credit

Motorcyclists, we finally have a place at the table. An effort led by Wisconsin Democratic Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold should prove beneficial to all of us waiting to purchase a new motorcycle. Their collective efforts resulted in an expanded tax credit for new motorcycle sales being included in the new American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which should offer a helping hand to everyone associated with the motorcycle business, from manufacturer, to dealer and retail customer. I’ve been on the manufacturer side and I have to say, this is a blessing. No matter how you feel about the “Stimulus Bill,” at least those of us in the field of motorcycles and motorcycle accessory products have cause to be thankful. It really doesn’t matter if your new motorcycle is made in America, Germany or China. According to language in the bill, they are considered one in the same. Please sing to the tune, “Money makes the world go around.” While I haven’t heard about layoffs at any of the foreign based motorcycle companies, many of my friends and long-time colleagues at Harley-Davidson are now looking for new jobs, which may be created or saved.

According to Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, “You have to see the language.” That is, someone actually needs to take the time to read and understand this legislation. In particular, please review, Additional Deduction for State Sales Tax and Excise Tax on the Purchase of Certain Motor Vehicles, as it applies to motorcycles, pages 203-204. Here’s an example, the tax and excise credit will apply to motorcycles, which are <8500 GVWR. Okay, I can finally purchase that new motorcycle, with two engines and a double-wide sidecar. Naturally, those individuals who may make too much money also receive less tax credit. That is, your tax credit will be reduced based upon adjusted gross income. Maybe hiring that accountant isn’t such a bad idea after all. Why penalize those who can actually afford to purchase a new vehicle? Nevertheless, if you’re ready to buy, then it’s most likely time to move ahead.

As for the impact relating to the use of motorcycles in law enforcement service, Mr. Doug Wyllie, Senior Editor at PoliceOne.com recently took a look at the economic stimulus package, with a particular focus on funding, which will be made available for state and local law enforcement. With job layoff’s and hiring freezes in place with many state and local law enforcement agencies, the stimulus bill should enable many officers to retain their current positions and may also mean more officers on the street. As a first round response, the Department of Justice will be required to submit a spending plan to Congress within a sixty day period. Trust me on this; they are ready to spend our money. Please visit PoliceOne.com/patrol-issues for additional details. So far, the word “motorcycle” has yet to come up. Given that many state and municipalities are already exempt from taxes, then there may not be much impact when local government agencies purchase new motorcycles.

Let’s Ride.

The Florida Connection & how Immortal Harleys Reign in Havana

I remember the stories told by Phil Peterson, who I’ve always known him as “Mr. P,” since that is what his customers and friends still call him to this day. That Harleys will someday once again be prominent in Cuba, just as in the days before the Cuban Revolution. Phil told many a good story of a time when he was associated with Billy Temple, who was the Harley-Davidson dealer in Miami for many years. By my reckoning now, many of his stories were focused on the mid 1950s. As Phil told these stories, it all seemed like yesterday.

After his years in the Navy, Phil Peterson did what he loved best – farmed and tended his orchard. It was a different time – Wisconsin, Door County and the 1950s. Phil loved to race and was successful at it and found himself traveling and racing around the nation. Phil also fell in love with Florida and became a Harley-Davidson dealer, working for Billy Temple with his first store in Key West. Harley-Davidsons were popular in Cuba, with Billy Temple and Phil Peterson often working together to supply the needs of the police agencies as well as the civilian population. On their last trip out of Cuba, I recall Phil telling me they could hear the sounds of artillery in the hills. In the midst of the revolution, that would be too close for comfort. Phil went on to acquire the Miami dealership from Billy Temple in 1965, just as Billy Temple had promised him years before. Between Phil and his sons, Dirk and Drew, and also Ace Armstrong, they have made a wonderful success story focused on the history of Harley-Davidson in South Florida. Well, that’s not really the story but only the prologue. You see, there were all those Harley-Davidsons left behind in Cuba.

Fast forward 50 years after the revolution. It’s not 1959, it’s now 2009. Those many Harley-Davidson motorcycles left behind across Cuba, whether police or civilian models, still flourish to this day. I’m certain that there’s really only a small portion of the estimated 2,000 Harley-Davidsons which were in Cuba at the time of the revolution still on the road today – but many are. Long time Harley-Davidson mechanics and product aficionados like Sergio Morales keep the legend alive. Mr. Morales has been repairing Harleys for some thirty-six years. His love for Harley-Davidson runs deep, which can’t be a very popular position these days.

There’s also the story that at one point Havana Police Officers were offered their Harley-Davidson motorcycles for just $40 each. While that doesn’t sound like a lot of money today, it certainly was in its time.

Thanks to Mr. Morales and others like him across Cuba, the Harley-Davidson legend remains strong. Kudos to those individuals who can keep alive the dream, making due with experimental parts of their own making; love for a machine and a notion of freedom never ran deeper.

It’s well known that it’s possible to purchase parts through sources located in other countries, such as Mexico, but those parts are expensive. It’s better to make what you need. What a talented cadre of mechanics it takes to keep those motorcycles on the roads today.

I have to agree with Phil Peterson, someday once again new Harley-Davidsons will return to the streets of Havana. It’s my hope that the Havana Police will lead the way. When that day comes they’ll also need the best police motorcycle communications systems and we’ll be ready.