Police Motorcycles Part II

Surprise, surprise! I just learned that the Toronto Police Service did another trial of BMW police issue bikes (click on the title to see the video). That was in 2010 and it was supposed to be a 1-year trial. The cops purchased five R1200RT’s, modular helmets and ballistic nylon armoured riding uniforms to bring them into the 21^st Century.

Deputy Chief Tony Warr initiated the review of motorcycles after seeing the BMW R1200RT. “We always have to take a look at what equipment we’re using,” Warr said, of the evaluation, comparing the BMWs to the Harley Davidson Electra Glide police specials currently used by traffic officers. Warr spent the first four years of his policing career atop a Harley Davidson. “Their size and mobility make them the perfect vehicles to transport officers through the city.”

While I found lots of material about the test’s initiation, I could not find anything about its conclusion.

“They’re all good brands but we have to see what’s right for us,” said evaluation project leader Traffic Services S/Sgt Andy Norrie, of putting the bikes through their paces in track-testing and in daily policing. Did you find the BMWs too fast again, Sgt Norrie?

Just look at the pictures of the Toronto police Harley and the new R1200RT-P.

Reminds me of the time when the police were still using revolvers, while the bandits all carried Glocks for years and years. Makes you wonder how sound their judgment is when they make other policing decisions.