MOTO

PURPOSE

To establish Standard Operating Procedures governing the LSPD Motor Unit.

About

The Motor Unit is a specialized certification within the San Andreas State Police which enables the use of motorcycles while on patrol. Normal patrol duties are to be performed while rolling Motor, including low- and high-priority calls; traffic stops, medical calls, 10-80s, 10-90s, 10-13, and others may be responded to, with certain additional considerations (see below).

To be able to qualify to train for this Certification you will need to meet specific requirements.

Motor Unit Certification Qualifications

In order to become Motor certified, the following requirements must be met:

• Must have reached rank of Officer 2 or higher

• The Officer must be in good standing with the department

  • Officers should have limited or no disciplinary records

• Officer must successfully pass a Motor training course (Classroom, EVOC, and ride-along)

• Officer SHOULD have a Supervisor or above recommend them

• Officer must demonstrate an exemplary patrol record, especially as it pertains to motor vehicle safety

  • Including, but not limited to, a history of excellent driving, minimal accidents, and superb EVOC discipline and judgment

Training and Certifications

Outline of Motor Unit Training Course

Duration: Until the Motor Trainer is convinced you know what needs to be learned 

Description: This specialized course has been designed to evaluate an officer's ability to safely navigate all manner of terrain. It is intended to ensure that the officer being evaluated already has a basic mastery of the motorcycle and can demonstrate competency and safety in all circumstances.

Criteria of Successful Completion:

The trainer will use their best judgment to make sure the trainee is qualified in all fields of training before he will let the student be certified for a motor unit. amongst things you will be rated are: 

• Vehicle placement both while driving and on scene 

• Code driving

• Pursuits 

• Handling of the bike

Traffic stops

The Motor Unit SHOULD always request another unit on a traffic stop, including another Motor Unit. This is primarily to increase officer safety. In the case that a motor unit makes an arrest and has a detainee, they SHALL request a transport capable unit to their scene, and SHOULD handle all necessary paperwork for the arrestee.

Pursuits (10-80)

While obeying the above section, Motor Unit MAY NOT be the primary in a pursuit UNLESS there are no other 4-wheeled units in pursuit. WHEN a 4-wheeled vehicle is sufficiently close, the Motor Unit is to yield primary and drop to secondary or tertiary positions. This is primarily for officer safety, to:

• Provide protection from shots fired from a fleeing suspect vehicle

• Avoid traffic collisions caused by fleeing-suspect "brake checks"

They CAN and are REQUESTED to be primary in pursuits of other motorbikes or other highly maneuverable vehicles.

The Motor Unit's primary duty is to help keep eyes on a fleeing suspect, using the motorbike's agility to their advantage.

However, where safe and reasonable to do so, when there are 2 or more additional pursuing units, the Motor Unit SHOULD attempt to take alternate routes to get ahead of a fleeing suspect and deploy spikes. Passing the primary pursuing officer and suspect in the same route in order to attempt to effect spikes is NOT to be tolerated. Instead, the officer is expected to use the bike's performance and agility to cut through alleyways or find other routes to get far ahead.

Motorbikes MAY be used in off road conditions, use pedestrian modes of travel (overpasses, walkways, or stairs), or cut through "public" property (such as Legion Square, public parks, or the like as motorcycles do not cause significant property damage like full-sized vehicles). Private property such as cutting through yards SHOULD be avoided. Abuse or excessive use of these privileges will result in the removal of this exception and may result in revocation of your Motor Unit Certification at the discretion of Supervisory staff.

When crossing property or entering pedestrian areas, the officer may use such speed as they believe safe. They must engage full lights and sirens and lean on the air horn to warn potential pedestrians. If an officer strikes a pedestrian while doing this, they are to render aid, document the scene, and report it to a supervisor. Disciplinary action may be taken at command/supervisor liberty.

Motor Units SHOULD follow all other SOP’s regarding pursuits, as outlined in the San Andreas State Police SOPs. 

Robberies and Threat Situations

Motor Unit SHOULD respond to an active robbery, but should NOT participate in clearing any building PROVIDED THERE ARE AT LEAST TWO 4-WHEELED VEHICLES RESPONDING. Given a lack of armament and protection, the Motor Unit SHOULD respond primarily to keep eyes on any suspicious or fleeing vehicles from the scene until the area is cleared and other units can join. 

If there is only one other 4-wheeled unit responding, Motor Unit SHOULD participate in a building clearing using their sidearm. Upon arrival of a second 4-wheeled unit on-scene, Motor Unit MAY prioritize keeping track of robbery suspects per the previous point.

Motor Unit SHOULD NOT take a long-gun from the four-wheeled unit if there is a reasonable risk of flight by the suspect, as there is no place to stow it on a bike.

Felony Stops

The Motor Unit SHALL NOT participate in a felony traffic stop unless there are NO other units to respond.

The Motor Unit MAY show up at a felony traffic stop and position themselves where reasonable cover from potential gunfire is afforded (esp. around a corner, in an alley) in order to assist with potential pursuit.

If a Felony Stop is initiated by a Motor Unit, the Motor Unit MAY participate in the Felony proceedings by using the responding 4-wheeled vehicle for cover, but SHOULD wait for 2 four-wheeled vehicles if available.

Shots Fired

The Motor Unit SHOULD respond to shots-fired calls. Although by definition dangerous, this call should be responded to per LSPD SOPs.

Officer Distress / 10-99

The Motor Unit SHOULD respond to 10-99s. Although by definition dangerous, this call should be responded to per LSPD SOPs.

Going On Duty

The following requirements must be met at the time of getting ready to go on duty as Motor:

• The Officer must be fully trained and hold a current as Motor Unit certification  

• There must be an Active Standard Patrol Unit

• You must wear a MOTO Uniform

NOTE: At no time should you have a Ride-Along or passenger on your motorbike even should it become possible in the future.

If these requirements are met, you are authorized to go on duty as a Motor unit.

Standard Equipment

A Motor Unit will have most of the standard equipment that a normal patrol officer will have. Note some of these items will be stored in a saddle bag or on your person. Here is a short list.

• On-board radar and handheld radar gun

• Ticket book with pen

• Helmet with radio connectivity

• Standard utility belt

• GSR Kit

• Medical kit

• Breathalyzer

• Evidence bags

• Service Pistol

• Radio

• Spike Strips

NOTE: Due to the size of the motorcycle you’ll be riding you will not be able to retrieve long guns such as the M4 Rifle or Shotgun.

Service Vehicle:

BMW Bike.

Harley Bike.

Mentality

Bear in mind that as a Motor Unit, you have much less protection against gunfire and traffic strikes and you can be put down on the ground easily. However, the agility of the motorcycle is its greatest asset and it should be used effectively. While riding a motorcycle one must pay attention to their surroundings and think about what they’re going to do ahead of time. An accident on a motorcycle can be fatal compared to a normal scratch or fender damage on a car. Additionally you have less cover and less firepower if you get into a firefight as you cannot take complete cover behind your bike.

Patrolling

Before you hit the streets you need to radio into dispatch that you’re adopting a new callsign. If you are riding solo it will go as follows “Dispatch, (Callsign). Show me Adopting callsign (Operating Number) Motor” This is to let dispatch and others know that you will be on a motorcycle and patrolling.If you’re riding in a pair then you will call it in like this. “Dispatch, (Callsign). Show me and (Other unit callsign) adopting callsign (Operating Number)  Motor” Note if there is another motor unit on you will just use  2,3,4, etc. Keep in mind all radio traffic from now on you’ll be calling yourself “(Operating Number) Motor” or the respective number for all radio traffic instead of using your typical callsign.

Lane splitting is permitted in all aspects of patrol and response.

Solo vs. Duo

The LSPD Motor Unit is primarily a solo patrol option, but qualified officers MAY ride in a duo, acting as a single unit.

If you are ever partnered up with another Officer on a Motor unit then you need to make sure you’re thinking about four simple concepts.

The first and most important concept is to keep track of one another. He is your battle buddy and you are his. Both of you will be working together much more compared to a normal patrol car.

The second most important concept is you and your partner will pick one side of the road and you will stick with it. That means if you choose the right side you’ll stick to that side unless dire conditions like avoiding an object, hazard, or accident.

The third most important concept is again, your partner is your battle buddy. He will be the first person to back you up and help you. The two Officers should consider themselves best friends when they’re riding together and shouldn’t be hostile towards one another. Consistent animosity will result in suspension of Motor Unit privileges and will follow standard LSPD disciplinary procedures.

Last but not least, your "connection to the city" must be superb. Create additional space and reaction time when riding near another Motor Unit. Excessive headaches or other problems should result in voluntary termination of the duo in the name of officer safety.