MOTORCYCLE PATROL
The Cheshire Police Department, with the approval and support of the town council and town manager, initiated a Motorcycle Patrol Unit. Cheshire, a town of approximately 27,000 people and 165 miles of roadway needed an innovative means to travel and patrol congested streets, escort processions and parades, and provide increased community relations. The Motorcycle Unit has proved to be an effective means to accomplish these goals and has been a positive asset to the Cheshire Police Department in supporting the community. An additional advantage of the motorcycle unit has been the lower capital outlay per vehicle and the lower fiscal expenditure as compared to a marked unit. The Motorcycle Unit currently operates a 2005 Harley-Davidson FLHPI Motorcycle.
The Motorcycle Patrol Unit is used for traffic enforcement, accident investigations, parking and pedestrian enforcement, laser speed enforcement, safety inspections, traffic control, escorts, and holiday patrols. In addition to the various law enforcement duties, the Motorcycle Patrol Unit has been an enormous benefit to various community events. The unit has been involved in supporting the Relay for Life, Memorial Day parades, numerous carnivals, the fall festival, sporting events, high school graduation, craft fairs, car shows, road races and walk-a-thons. Officers responding to calls for service, particularly during these events, are hampered by traffic congestion whereas the motorcycle has the ability to maneuver through traffic with relative ease. With Cheshire’s prevailing growth and traffic congestion, particularly on the Route 10 and Route 70 corridors, a motorcycle-mounted patrol has been the answer to a more expeditious response time and greater police visibility amid congested roadways.
One of the unique benefits of the Motorcycle Patrol is its ability to access various portions of the town where a marked unit has difficulty in reaching, like Dickerman Field and other north end properties, which have had numerous complaints of about off road vehicles and trespassing. The motorcycle can respond to these areas without being noticed as a patrol vehicle.
Special recognition for the development of the Motorcycle Patrol Unit goes to Officer Thomas Prue. He thoroughly researched and coordinated the various aspects of putting this program together. Through his devoted efforts, this program became a reality in expanding the capability of the Cheshire Police Department.
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