Police team rethinks its motorbike use policy

  • 2015-02-20
The Chandler Police Department is changing the way it uses motorcycles in regard to pursing possible drunken drivers.

A few the officers will still ride motorcycles, but some of the bikes will be replaced with SUVs, according to department spokesman Seth Tyler, a Chandler detective. The department is asking for three Chevrolet Tahoes for use by its DUI unit, which will cost about $138,819. The city council approved the request for this on January 22.

Detective Tyler said that the Chandler PD was already in the process of cutting back motorcycle use in DUI situations, for two reasons. Firstly, officers are not as safe on motorcycles as they are in other vehicles, as is perhaps shown by two Chandler motorcycle officers being killed while on duty in 2014.

Secondly, motorcycles are also less efficient in these situations than other vehicles, since the motor officer has to wait for someone else to provide transport of a prisoner in case of an arrest. Putting DUI officers in SUVs will free a patrol officer from transport duties, or from having to wait for a tow truck.

The Chandler Police Department might consider working with a flyer printing company to create a mailer for residents, explaining the shift but reassuring them their level of protection will remain the same as it always has been.