Gila River PD Motor School 2023

On 12/14/23, 7 of 8 Police Officers and Deputies completed a 3-week Basic Police Motorcycle Operator course in Chandler, AZ.  The course was hosted by the Gila River Police Department in partnership with the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and the Tempe Police Department.  This video captures only a fraction of what these Officers endured through the 120-hour training program.

In Arizona most police agencies have adopted the BMW R1250 RT as their patrol motorcycle.  The BMW R1250 RT is an agile motorcycle that is very capable of taking on everything the desert has to throw at it.  During these 3-weeks of training, the students ride numerous cone problems, they ride in the dirt and desert, we take them onto our city streets and freeways, and they build confidence and trust in their skills and this piece of machinery.

Police motorcycle training schools around the world have close to a 50% success rate.  It is often described by LE professionals as the "toughest" school in policing.  It tests your physical strength as much as your mental and emotional strengths.  This group of Officers and Deputies representing 4 local agencies, Gila River PD, Pinal County Sheriff's Office, City of Maricopa PD, and Tempe PD, was hardworking and showed no quit.  It was this dedication and work ethic that ultimately made them successful in their first step to becoming Police Motor Officers.

I hope you enjoy this behind the scenes look at our Motor School.