Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
POLICE MOTORCYCLE UNIT
GENERAL ORDER: 10.03 CREATED: April 6, 2015 ISSUE DATE: September 9, 2025
CALEA STANDARD:
NCLEA STANDARD: EFFECTIVE DATE: September 9, 2025
ACTION: Amends general order dated October 1, 2022 . REVIEW DATE:
10.03.0 PURPOSE
The purpose of this general order is to establish guidelines for the use of police
motorcycles operated by the Concord Police Department.
10.03.1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department to utilize police motorcycles to
enforce North Carolina General Statutes and the City of Concord Code of Ordinances as
well as for investigating traffic crashes, particularly personal injury and serious bodil y
injury crashes, and for special events.
10.03.2 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
A. Motorcycle officers shall be responsible for the enforcement of North Carolina traffic
laws and the investigation of personal injury, serious injury, or fatal motor vehicle
crashes within the City of Concord.
B. The department may assign motorcycle officers to specific traffic enforcement areas
with high incidents of traffic collisions, and in areas that receive citizen complaints
due to a high number of traffic violations.
C. A motorcyc le officer’s uniform shall be in accordance with G eneral Order 06.01
Personal Appearance Standards and Equipment.
D. The department may accept requests for motorcycle s escorts for special events such
as parades, dignitary escorts, vehicle escorts, or any situation when the use of the
motorcycle would promote public safety. The Patrol Bureau commander is responsible
for reviewing all requests for escorts. All requests must be approved before the escort
occurs.
E. Officers should not operate police motorcycles in severe storm conditions or weather
conditions that are unsafe (i.e., icy conditions, extreme heat or cold, snow).
F. Only officers approved by the Chief of Police may operate a police motorcycle.
Officers are prohibited from riding passengers on a police motorcycle.
G. A police motorcycle with Concord Police Department markings, equipped with
operable blue lights and siren, may initiate a pursuit by the guidelines outlined in
General Order 09.03 Fresh Pursuit of a Vehicle .
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H. At no time during the operation of the motorcycle shall the officer exceed the high -
speed weight limitation of the saddlebags as specified in the motorcycle operations
manual.
I. The closest available patrol officer in a patrol vehicle shall transport an arrest made
by a motorcycle officer. Once the suspect has been transported and properly secured,
the assisting unit may return to patrol duty.
J. Motorcycle officers may drive the motorcycle to a secondary employment
assignm ent unless the employer is paying for the presence of an officer and a
marked patrol police vehicle. In such cases, the motorcycle officer shall make
arrangements to have a marked vehicle or avoid signing up for secondary
employment.
10.03.3 MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
A. Care and maintenance of the motorcycles shall be by departmental policies regarding
vehicle care maintenance and take home vehicles.
B. Officers shall meet the criteria outlined in General Order 09.01 Department Vehicle
Operation to drive vehicle to and from their residence and their duty assignment.
Approval of this location shall be obtained by completion of form VEH-1.
C. The police motorcycle shall be stor ed in an enclosed facility at the assigned officer’s
primary residence when not in use.
D. Motorcycle officers are required to complete a pre -operational inspection of their
assigned motorcycle and equipment at the beginning of each shift and before
operation of the unit.
E. Only certified motorcycle mechanics may perform repairs or scheduled maintenance
to factory specifications.
F. No modifications shall be made to the police motorcycle without prior authorization
from the chief of police or designee. O nly authorized equipment shall be allowed on
the police motorcycle.
10.03.4 SELECTION AND TRAINING
A. Applicants for the motorcycle officer position must possess a current State of North
Carolina motorcycle operator’s endorsement at the time of the selection proces s.
B. A supervisory panel may conduct interviews with candidates during the selection
process.
C. Officers applying for a motorcycle officer position shall be tested by practical
application and shall complete the following tasks during the screening process:
1. The applicant shall be physically capable of sitting on the motorcycle with both
feet completely (heel and ball of foot) on the ground.
2. The applicant shall be physically capable of lifting the fallen motorcycle to an
upright position without assistance.
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3. The applicant shall be physically capable of pushing the motorcycle both forward
and backward a minimum of 150 feet.
4. The applicant shall be able to pass a motorcycle riding skills assessment.
D. If selected, all motorcycle officers shall complete a n approved Basic Motor Officer
Certification course within a specified period after being selected as a motorcycle
officer. The officer shall also agree to serve as a motorcycle officer, at the discretion
of the Chief of Police, for a minimum period of two years.
E. Motorcycle officers shall train as a unit at least one calendar day per quarter on basic
skills and are required