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Automotive Accessories FloorLiner™ The most advanced interior foor protection available! Custom-Fit for each application. FloorLiner™ fully protects your carpet and keeps fuids and debris away from your feet. Side Window Defectors Improves ventilation and enhances comfort, awareness, and alertness. TÜV approved. Available in Light and Dark tints Cargo Liner Perfect for K-9 Units, Tactical Units, or general purpose use Custom-Fit for each application. Cargo Liner contains spills and dirt while the textured fnish controls load shifting. Meets FMVSS302 and are TÜV approved. Call Our Law Enforcement Division Today 800-773-7787 WeatherTech.com Canadian Customers: WeatherTech.ca ©2013 MacNeil IP LLC European Customers: WeatherTechEurope.com integrated gear is backed by the manufacturer's warranty. Frank Stevens, Sales Development Manager at BMW Motorrad USA, is seeing some changes in what departments want built into the motorcycles. "West of the Mississippi, we are selling a lot more weapons holders, electric locking mounts," he says. "With many departments, the motor unit will show up quicker, which is their key benefit, so motor officers are becoming better equipped to respond to things beyond just traffic." In Baton Rouge, the department is adding additional equipment to increase the safety of their officers. "We are currently implementing the use of audio and video recording devices, installing additional motorcycle lights to enhance visibility, and are in the process of installing moving and stationary speed measuring devices on the motorcycles," says Baton Route PD's Wallace. "It is our responsibility to enhance the visibility of the officers and make every effort for them to be seen." The uniforms The motor officer uniform is evolving away from the CHP look (half helmet, big leather boots, etc.) "We are getting away from the stereotypical short sleeve shirts, half shell helmets and high boots," says MotorOne's Webb. "That is transitioning into cargo pants, over the ankle boots, with Kevlar on the knees and hips, with Kevlar jackets. You are seeing more and more agencies going to full face or three quarter helmets. More and more agencies are going to Bluetooth systems. Once you put your helmet on, the communications are synced with their helmet already." These changes are not going to happen overnight, however, as law enforcement is, at its core, very traditional. "With our uniform, the only change I would say is not using the half shell helmet, which has already saved the life of one of our motor officers who was involved in a crash and hit the lower back of the helmet into the curb," says Oklahoma State Police's Riddle. "Other than that, we still wear the traditional uniform that is common here. Except for the Hayabusas, where we use riding pants and jackets with armor built in. The uniform deal for me is an ongoing battle, and I hope to move it forward someday." Motorcycles have been in police use for more than 100 years and will be around as long as motorcycles are a viable form of transportation. Motorcycles, when used correctly, are too effective not to be utilized. ■ Keith W. Strandberg is an American freelance writer and award-winning screenwriter/producer of feature films living in Switzerland. He was a former contributing editor for LET more than a decade ago and is happy to be back writing for the magazine. M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N For more information on these companies, circle the corresponding number on the Reader Service Card COMPANY BMW Motorrad USA Corbin Mfg. & Supply Inc. Harley-Davidson Motor Co. Kawasaki Motors Corp. MotorOne Polaris Industries, Inc. Stalker Rader & Lidar READER SERVICE NO. 56 57 58 59 60 61 62