Rhode Island's HD Equipped Motorcycle Police
A rich photo archive of Rhode Island's finest at work.
Past to Present
For almost a century, police motorcycle units have been an integral part of law enforcement in Rhode Island. Since its inception, the ride of choice has always been Harley-Davidson. Over the decades, the state has accumulated a rich photo archive of its officers at work. Here are some of those images and a bit of history — past to present.
Photos courtesy of Providence Journal.
Community Based
The Motor Company has been part of law enforcement ranks since 1908 when the Detroit Police Department bought their first Harley-Davidson. Whether patrolling unpaved rural roads or chasing bootleggers, Harley-Davidsons were an indispensable tool in the early part of the 20th century. Today, Rhode Island's motorcycle-mounted officers still patrol the streets and highways, but also serve as 'community-based units.'
Motorcycle Basics
Since their formation, police motorcycle units have received specialized riding and maintenance training. In this undated photograph from around the 1930s, Rhode Island State Police recruits learn about motorcycle basics. The first police motorcycles were little more than civilian bikes with different paint and markings. Over time, accessories such as flashing lights and sirens were added, along with performance engine upgrades.
Meter Violators
The introduction of the parking meter in 1935, ushered in new bylaw enforcement tasks for police. Coupled with Harley-Davidson's Servi-Car, departments found a new way of working. In this 1946 photograph, motorcycle patrolman James C. Comer of the Providence Police Department uses a long chalk-tipped stick to mark tires. Riding along eliminated the fatigue of walking in search of meter violators.
White Toppers
Officer safety has always been a primary concern for all departments. In this early-1960s photograph, Providence police show off their new 'white toppers.' The accompanying Providence Journal headline read, “New Look For Providence Mounties: Crash helmets are standard equipment now for members of the police motorcycle squad.” Motorcycle helmets were first developed in the 1900s, but their use was not widespread until the early-1970s.
Operator Training
Rhode Island's Bristol Police Motorcycle Unit consists of officers who are all motorcycle enthusiasts with years of riding experience. Like many police departments, training courses are done in cooperation with academic institutions. In 2000, Rhode Island's Bristol Police Department instituted new training procedures for their motorcycle-mounted officers. Each officer attended the grueling two-week Police Motorcycle Operator Training course at Northwestern University in Weymouth, Massachusetts.
All-Weather Patrol
Riding twelve months of the year, the Providence Motorcycle Unit is kept busy. Along with their regular patrol duties, the unit provides escorts and security for funerals, public processions, special events, and dignitaries. The highly-trained officers are all certified riders from the Institute of Police Technology and Management. With their skill and maneuverability, officers can patrol in limited-access areas where full-size vehicles cannot pass.
Community Bonds
It should be noted that Rhode Island does not require police departments to use motorcycle units, yet there are many units throughout the state. As highly visible units, some motorcycle officers also engage in public relations work. In this capacity, they can become role models while forming meaningful community bonds. Hats off, or rather, helmets off to Rhode Island's police motorcycle units.
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