Handful Of CPD Officers Start Motorcycle Training

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus police department is training officers to bring back its motorcycle unit.

Three officers will be on the bikes for the next two weeks.

They’ll learn the basics of how to handle the motorcycle and learn high speed maneuvers.

The patrolmen will be on the motorcycles part time, until more officers are hired on at the department.

Ultimately, the goal is to have one officer per shift.

“When there is a serious accident, we can actually pickup the accident quicker than a large vehicle unit can get there. The city of Columbus traffic can be congested. Motorcycles are smaller in width and smaller in length, and we can maneuver our bikes in the area and get on scene,” says Officer Glenn Jenkins.

State troopers, DeSoto County deputies, and Southaven police are training the Columbus officers.

The motorcycle cops will be responsible for traffic duty, including responding to wrecks and for public relations appearances at schools and parades.