Policy Text
Field Services Page 1 of 3 01/14 (REV 1/04)
Motorcycle Detail - Duties and Responsibilities
The purpose of this order is to outline the standards, duties, and responsibilities of the
officers assigned to the Motorcycle Detail.
I. General
The Sheriff's Department recognize s the occasional need for spe cial resource
response to enforcement situat ions and unique community events. To meet
such a need the department's Mot orcycle Detail will function as an element of the
Special Operations Division. T he Motorcycle Detail is comprised of sworn officers
having primary assignment withi n Field Services Divisions.
II. Selection
The staffing of the Motorcycle Detail is made up of regular dep uties who will have
completed at least two years of c ontinuous duty in Field Servic es. Due to public
relations being an important par t of the duties of the Motorcyc le Detail, two years
as a patrol officer will ensure t hat the officer will have a wo rking understanding of
the sheriff's department and his/ her assigned field responsibil ities.
III. Minimum Standards
A. Motorcycle officers are expect ed to have a basic knowledge o f motorcycle
operation and possess a valid cla ss M California driver license .
B. Each officer assigned to the Motorcycle Detail will be requi red to complete
a P.O.S.T. recognized motorcycle officers training course at th e
department's expense, as soon af ter appointment to the detail a s possible.
Successful completion of this tra ining course is mandatory for all
motorcycle officers.
C. The officers will be expected to demonstrate their basic ski lls to the detail
supervisor prior to operating a department motorcycle for enfor cement
purposes.
Field Services Page 2 of 3 01/14 (REV 1/04) IV. Duties and Responsibilities
The motorcycle officer shall:
A. Function on a motorcycle as a sheriff's deputy, performing g eneral duties
as assigned.
B. Be accountable for the proper care of the issued equipment a nd
motorcycle.
C. Maintain a high public vis ibility with an em phasis on public relations.
V. Pursuits
A. Motorcycle units should not ini tiate a pursuit unless there is sufficient
probable cause to believe tha t the apprehension of the person b eing
pursued will prevent the loss o f life or great bodily harm.
B. If a pursuit is initiated , the motorcycle unit will terminat e its participation in
the pursuit when a marked unit of any other agency, having prop er
jurisdiction, enters the pursuit.
VI. Training
Officers assigned to the Motorcyc le Detail will attend one full training day each
month as prescribed by t he detail supervisor.
VII. Care and Maintenance of Equipment
A. Officers shall be responsible for the proper care of their d epartment issued
motorcycle, motorcycle radio, s afety equipment and first aid eq uipment.
B. Each officer shall perform daily safety checks of assigned m otorcycles.
The check will incl ude the oil level, ti ghtness and condition o f the drive
line, proper lubrication, and tire pressure.
C. Each officer shall ensure t hat the proper servicing of the a ssigned
motorcycle is completed at the scheduled routine service interv al or as
recommended by the manual for a particular motorcycle.
D. Each officer shall be respons ible for taking the assigned mo torcycle to an
authorized garage for any servicing or necessary repairs. The officer shall
provide their respective Count y garage with the white copy of t he vehicle
repair request form listing the gar age providing service and/or repairs.
The officer shall maintain the hard copy of the vehicle repair request form
for their records. T he officer shall take the assigned motorcy cle to the
radio shop for necessary radio equipment repair.
Field Services Page 3 of 3 01/14 (REV 1/04) VIII. Home retention of motorcycles
A. Officers assigned to the Motorc ycle Detail s hall be allowed to ride their
assigned motorcycle to and from w ork, providing they have a loc kable
structure in which to store it. The purpose of this provision is to ensure
proper maintenance and upkeep of t he motorcycle and provide sec urity for
the motorcycle.
B. Use of department motorcycles s hall be limited to transporta tion to and
from assigned workstation, or w henever specifically authorized by the
detail supervisor and/or res pective division commander.