BTSOOM
Oct 4th, 2007, 10:08 am
Tulsa World (Oklahoma)
August 22, 2007 Wednesday
Police upgrades: Police receive two BMW bikes to add to cycle squad
BYLINE: Anne Brockman, Tulsa World, Okla.
Aug. 22--The Broken Arrow Police Department's newest toys are already on the road.
The department received two new BMW police motorcycles to add to their fleet of Harley Davidsons earlier this month.
The new motorcycles bring Broken Arrow's count up to five, with another BMW coming in the next 60 to 90 days, officials said.
Officers John Turner and Steve Smith get to drive the new cycles.
Turner, who has been with the department for 10 years, said Harley Davidson makes a good product, but the BMW has noticeable advantages.
"It's a different motorcycle altogether," Turner said, noting that it's lighter, easier to maneuver, more agile and faster.
He said speed is important because it allows the officers to reach motorists and pull them over more quickly.
"It's a shorter amount of time to get them stopped," he said.
Broken Arrow's is the only department in this part of the state with BMWs, Capt. Greg Sipes said.
Sipes said Midwest City and Bethany also have the bikes, which are the most common police bikes internationally.
The BMWs were budgeted through the city, he said. The bikes were $18,000 apiece.
The department looked over studies from departments using similar BMW motorcycles, and considered Honda and Harley Davidson models before choosing the new bikes.
He said eventually the department would like to transition to an all-BMW motorcycle unit.
The new BMWs cost less than previous motorcycles, Sipes said.
The bikes are black with subdued markings and come equipped with LED emergency lighting, Smith said.
Also, the BMWs are both air and liquid-cooled and run cooler than traditional air-cooled motorcycles.
The new motorcycles have been on the streets for a couple weeks now. The two motorcycle officers say they've met some "satisfied customers."
The Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
October 3, 2007 Wednesday
Warner Robins police roll out BMW motorcycles
Police on Tuesday unveiled their newest, raciest law enforcement tools: two 2007 BMW motorcycles for the traffic division.
Chief Brett Evans quipped that the BMW R 1200 RT-P motorcycles are "bad to the bone."
The motorcycles, which replace aging Harley-Davidson motorcycles, were rolled out at a news conference in the parking lot at the Warner Robins police station on Young Avenue.
The motorcycles feature the latest in mounts for radar and lasers, video cameras and light systems, Warner Robins police Maj. John Wagner said.
The machines also sport special features such as a retracting and expanding windshield that offers greater shielding from wind when needed, as well as heated hand controls for when it's cold out.
"They're not toys," Wagner said. "These are tools of safety and traffic enforcement."
The motorcycles are assigned to officer Tim Pippio, who's been with the police force for seven years, including two on traffic, and officer David Hale, who's been with the department for nearly 10 years, including eight in traffic.
Both officers agreed that the No. 1 improvement with the new motorcycles is the anti-lock braking feature, which was absent in the retired motorcycles.
This will improve safety and give officers peace of mind when out on the road whether on a routine traffic stop or on an emergency call, Wagner said.
For Pippio, the maneuverability an officer has on a motorcycle far exceeds that of a police car.
The officers are able to weave in and out of traffic and get to areas where cars could never go, Hale said.
"I love to ride motorcycles, so why not get paid to do it at work?" he added.
The motorcycles also are excellent public relations tools, Wagner said.
Hale said he's often approached by people interested in his motorcycle, and the vehicles are great "ice breakers" with children at educational events at schools.
In addition to regular traffic detail, the motorcycles are used in parades and charity events and as escorts, Wagner said.
The new BMW motorcycles, fitted with police gear, cost $19,000 each, Wagner said.
The retired Harley-Davidson motorcycles will be kept in storage and brought out for special events such as parades, Wagner said.
They had reached a point where repairs were too costly for continued daily operation, he said.
To contact writer Becky Purser, call 923-3109, extension 243.
August 22, 2007 Wednesday
Police upgrades: Police receive two BMW bikes to add to cycle squad
BYLINE: Anne Brockman, Tulsa World, Okla.
Aug. 22--The Broken Arrow Police Department's newest toys are already on the road.
The department received two new BMW police motorcycles to add to their fleet of Harley Davidsons earlier this month.
The new motorcycles bring Broken Arrow's count up to five, with another BMW coming in the next 60 to 90 days, officials said.
Officers John Turner and Steve Smith get to drive the new cycles.
Turner, who has been with the department for 10 years, said Harley Davidson makes a good product, but the BMW has noticeable advantages.
"It's a different motorcycle altogether," Turner said, noting that it's lighter, easier to maneuver, more agile and faster.
He said speed is important because it allows the officers to reach motorists and pull them over more quickly.
"It's a shorter amount of time to get them stopped," he said.
Broken Arrow's is the only department in this part of the state with BMWs, Capt. Greg Sipes said.
Sipes said Midwest City and Bethany also have the bikes, which are the most common police bikes internationally.
The BMWs were budgeted through the city, he said. The bikes were $18,000 apiece.
The department looked over studies from departments using similar BMW motorcycles, and considered Honda and Harley Davidson models before choosing the new bikes.
He said eventually the department would like to transition to an all-BMW motorcycle unit.
The new BMWs cost less than previous motorcycles, Sipes said.
The bikes are black with subdued markings and come equipped with LED emergency lighting, Smith said.
Also, the BMWs are both air and liquid-cooled and run cooler than traditional air-cooled motorcycles.
The new motorcycles have been on the streets for a couple weeks now. The two motorcycle officers say they've met some "satisfied customers."
The Macon Telegraph (Georgia)
October 3, 2007 Wednesday
Warner Robins police roll out BMW motorcycles
Police on Tuesday unveiled their newest, raciest law enforcement tools: two 2007 BMW motorcycles for the traffic division.
Chief Brett Evans quipped that the BMW R 1200 RT-P motorcycles are "bad to the bone."
The motorcycles, which replace aging Harley-Davidson motorcycles, were rolled out at a news conference in the parking lot at the Warner Robins police station on Young Avenue.
The motorcycles feature the latest in mounts for radar and lasers, video cameras and light systems, Warner Robins police Maj. John Wagner said.
The machines also sport special features such as a retracting and expanding windshield that offers greater shielding from wind when needed, as well as heated hand controls for when it's cold out.
"They're not toys," Wagner said. "These are tools of safety and traffic enforcement."
The motorcycles are assigned to officer Tim Pippio, who's been with the police force for seven years, including two on traffic, and officer David Hale, who's been with the department for nearly 10 years, including eight in traffic.
Both officers agreed that the No. 1 improvement with the new motorcycles is the anti-lock braking feature, which was absent in the retired motorcycles.
This will improve safety and give officers peace of mind when out on the road whether on a routine traffic stop or on an emergency call, Wagner said.
For Pippio, the maneuverability an officer has on a motorcycle far exceeds that of a police car.
The officers are able to weave in and out of traffic and get to areas where cars could never go, Hale said.
"I love to ride motorcycles, so why not get paid to do it at work?" he added.
The motorcycles also are excellent public relations tools, Wagner said.
Hale said he's often approached by people interested in his motorcycle, and the vehicles are great "ice breakers" with children at educational events at schools.
In addition to regular traffic detail, the motorcycles are used in parades and charity events and as escorts, Wagner said.
The new BMW motorcycles, fitted with police gear, cost $19,000 each, Wagner said.
The retired Harley-Davidson motorcycles will be kept in storage and brought out for special events such as parades, Wagner said.
They had reached a point where repairs were too costly for continued daily operation, he said.
To contact writer Becky Purser, call 923-3109, extension 243.