Our Goal
The Motorcycle Enforcement Unit’s goal is to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, and property losses resulting from motor vehicle collisions by aggressively enforcing Arizona motor vehicle statutes. The Unit's aggressive stance on enforcement has led to greater traffic law compliance, therefore resulting in fewer motor vehicle collisions.
The Motorcycle Enforcement Unit utilizes the Honda ST-1300 Police motorcycle equipped with LEDs, siren, public address system and emergency pre-emption equipment. The Honda ST-1300 was chosen following an extensive selection process. The Honda was specifically designed for municipal law enforcement and features equipment geared towards the law enforcement environment. The advantages of operating the Honda are its wet-clutch system, water cooled engine and Linked Anti-Lock Braking System.
The Motorcycle Enforcement Unit consists of one sergeant and seven deputies. Criteria to be considered for selection into the Unit include a demonstrated dedication to traffic law enforcement, adaptation to working various shifts/operations, and a willingness to be exposed to the extreme temperatures of the Sonoran Desert (below freezing in the winter and more than 100° in the summer). Motor deputies undergo five (5) weeks of intensive training prior to patrolling in a solo capacity.
Training includes two (2) weeks at the track learning to operate the motorcycle in a low-speed environment; this is followed with two (2) weeks of road training, where the trainee learns to operate the motorcycle in a variety of road and traffic conditions. The final week is dedicated to field training; the student is taught how to utilize the police motorcycle as a law enforcement vehicle.
The Pima County Sheriff's Department's Motorcycle Enforcement Unit also participates in Southern Arizona DUI Task Force Operations and Department sponsored Sobriety Checkpoints throughout Pima County. These checkpoints are aimed at detecting and deterring impaired drivers. Since September 2005, the Pima County Sheriff's Department conducted over 122 checkpoints resulting in over 700 arrests. Over 77,000 vehicles passed through these checkpoints. Each motorist was given a questionnaire regarding the operation of these checkpoints. To date, over 94 percent of drivers who responded to this poll favored the use of sobriety checkpoints in the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s efforts to remove impaired motorists from Pima County roadways.