In the past, patrolmen were either assigned to horse patrol, motorcycle patrol, bicycle patrol, or foot patrol. The supervisors were the only ones to drive in cars. As time progressed, the police radio was put into use, and the radio patrol car began to take over as the primary patrol vehicle. The Union County Police has always maintained a fleet of motorcycles for a variety of uses.
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The Union County Police Motorcycle Unit of today maintains a fleet of three Harley Davidson Electra Glide Police Motorcycles. Officers assigned to the unit have been trained by the Maryland State Police, at the Maryland State Police Motor Academy in Cheltenham Maryland. Today’s motorcycle officer is assigned to patrol the Union County Courthouse Complex, and surrounding areas. The motorcycle officer may also be assigned to supplement patrol in the County Parks. One of the most common duties of the Union County Police Motorcycle Unit is Escort Duty. As well as providing escorts for funerals, the Union County Police Motorcycle Unit has provided escorts for the Governor, the Pope, and the President of the United States, as well as many other dignitaries that have visited Union County.
Officers assigned to the motorcycle unit are volunteers, selected from the ranks of the patrol division. Each officer assigned to the motorcycle unit must demonstrate an excellent ability to deal with the public, due to the fact that a great deal of the assignment deals with public relations. Officers may be assigned permanently, or on a as-needed basis. Either way, an assignment to the motorcycle units one of the prestigious assignments within the department. |
