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Bike 54 Where Are You?
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August 7, 2006 |
Morrisville integrates Beemers
for safety & efficiency
By Roger Wiles #32797
(August Owners News) |
Page 1 of 6 123456 |
In 2003, Morrisville, North Carolina Chief of Police, Ira W. Jones, received a directive from Town Manager John Whitson to begin a motorcycle police unit. Chief Jones, a former rider, turned to Officer David Aldridge (MOA #105106). David, a committed veteran motorcyclist, regularly rode his BMW K1200LT to work in all kinds of weather, and had more than 20 years riding experience under his wheels.
Morrisville is a small municipality on the western edge of the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill metro triad. It sits adjacent to the Research Triangle Park, and cheek-by-jowl to the Raleigh/Durham Airport, just off Interstate 40. The nominal population is listed as 14,500, which swells to well over 60,000 impatient souls during the workday and rush hour. Morrisville is recognized as one of the fastest-growing towns in the South. Gridlock is a way of life in Morrisville.
Officer Aldridge began the project by reviewing the current crop of available “Authority” motorcycles, and recommended the BMW R1100RT-P for his department’s use. Next, the issue of outfitting the officers arose. David was uncomfortable recommending the usual “horse boots, half-helmet and ‘Ponch-and-John’ short-sleeve khakis” since such garb offered Morrisville’s police little personal protection in the event of a crash. Chief Jones cleared up the matter nicely by directing David to recommend a duty outfit for motor officers that; 1) enabled the public to readily recognize them as police officers, and 2) offered the highest level of personal protection to officers.
The story of Morrisville’s new motorcycle unit is about how the town learned to utilize their new policing capabilities, as well as how the new motor unit is equipped.
With the support of the town manager, Chief Jones advised David, “tell us what you need.” In his research, David found very little full personal protective equipment (PPE), designed specifically for the unique needs of police and other first-responders, available within the U.S. market. While doing research, David contacted Carl Marsee of Marsee Products (www.marseeproducts.com), manufacturers of premium riding gear. Intrigued, Carl flew into Morrisville, bringing several suits for the Department to examine. The Marsee ‘One Wear System Full Flow Jacket’ and BMW’s cordura riding pants were selected for the new motor unit, with modifications by a local tailor.
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