Cops gather for training, competition at stadium
By Gregory Alan Gross, San Diego Union-Tribune
The motorcycle cops of San Diego County spent yesterday staging their own version of “2Fast 2Furious” at Qualcomm Stadium.
For the most part, they weren’t going too fast. For much of the day, they were going as s-l-o-w-l-y as possible. And on two wheels, slow is harder than it looks.
Especially when those wheels are attached to machines weighing about 800 pounds.
About 75 motor officers from nine law enforcement agencies weaved, braked and leaned through tight courses of plastic orange cones in the second annual training and competition day, sponsored by the San Diego Police Department and the San Diego Motor Officers Association. The aim is to keep the officers’ riding skills sharp.
“The main things are eye placement, hand-eye-foot coordination, sharp turning skills, brake-clutch work,” said San Diego police Lt. Greg Drilling. “All the slow-speed skills we practice here we use on the street, especially during special events - motorcades, demonstrations. The officers who take part in the competitions are our top guns, the best of the best.”
The morning was devoted to training and the afternoon to individual and team competitions.
“We all work together, but when you get into something like this . . . it’s an aggressive rivalry, let’s put it that way,” Drilling said.
Never was that more evident than when acting San Diego police Chief John Welter and Chula Vista Chief Rick Emerson went head-to-head on their Kawasakis in the “intersection drill.”
It’s a kind of follow-the-leader contest in which one rider trails the other through a tight course of orange plastic cones in a series of sudden stops, slow speeds and turns so sharply angled that running boards scrape the pavement. Whoever touches a cone or has to put a foot on the ground to stay upright loses.
“No ramming!” Drilling shouted.
Emerson won.
Chula Vista Officer Rusty Rea took top individual honors for officers riding Kawasakis, followed by defending champion Terry Bennett and Jay Graves, both of the San Diego Police Department.
There also was a pairs competition. Bennett and Officer Dave Root of SDPD retained their team title, and SDPD Officers Bob Cook and Todd Sluss took second. Chula Vista’s Rea and Joe Cargel were third.
“It’s all about control, absolute control of the motorcycle - fast, slow, under all conditions,” Root said.
Among the BMW riders, Officers George Hart and Brad Thurman of the Carlsbad Police Department took first and second, respectively, in the individual honors. They also took the BMW team title. Klaus Georger of the California Highway Patrol was third for individual honors, and partnered with Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Daves for second in the team competition.
“Riding a motorcycle for police work is a perishable skill,” Emerson said.
One of the most crucial aspects for motorcycles officers is eye placement, Emerson said.
“Wherever you look, that’s where you’re going to go. You have to keep your eyes high and use your peripheral vision,” the chief said. “If you look at whatever it is you’re trying to avoid, that’s what you’re going to hit.”
It wasn’t all fun and games. One National City officer suffered a knee injury when he wiped out during the morning’s training.
“It happens,” Drilling said. “It reminds everybody that this is a dangerous job.”