Evening star., 1934-01-28
Motor Cycle Police Created
Early In Career of Motor Car
Haze Proved Effective Agency Not Only
in Monitoring Drivers, but in General
Protection of and Service to Public.

ire street, Manhattan, q few years ago
At the time of this attempted break
the entire police department was imme-
diately directed to send all available
men to the scene Of the occurrence
The alarm was received at the head
quarters Of motor cycle squad No. !
which at that time was located at Sixty.
sixth street and Central Park West.
An outgoing platoon was assembled
for 4 pm. roll call. These men were
Immediately ordered to the scene Of the
disorder, and arrived there at 4:07 p.m
distance of about miles through
congested streets in Z minutes.
On another occasion our health de-
partment received an urgent plea from
q physician in Trenton, N. j.. requesting
that a supply of serum, to be used In
the treatment of a child suffering from
infantile paralysis. be obtained at vii.
lard Parker Hospital, Manhattan, and
forwarded with all possible haste. The
serum was obtained by q motor cycle
patrolman at 5:37 pm, and In turn
delivered to q New Jersey motor cycle
the Holland Tunnel at 5:44 pm. The
serum arrived In Trenton In time To
save the life Of the afflicted child.
All diIuOIcO 1IlOtOI CyClC olOC SoA hAAAs
is maintained in connection with this
bureau, and Is very much in evidence
in the financial and business sections.
This unit has effected cooperation with
the detective division in patrolling Sec
tions of the city frequented by gang
sters and other classes of criminals.
Effective service also has been rendered
at assemblages such as occasionally con-
gregate in the vicinity Of Union Square.
The men Of this detail are armed with
shotguns and protected by armor plate
and bullet-proof glass. The moral enect
Of this unit Is self-evident.
Vehicles Are Inspected.
A motor vehicle inspection unit Il
charged with the duty Of inspecting
motor vehicles to determine their fit-
ness to operate on the public highways
Brakes are examined and all equipment
which is required by law Is checked.
More than 10000 such inspections are
made annually.
1t is a strange fact that motor cycle
duty, which Is attended by personal
risk or hazard. Is q popular branch OF
the service. Many Of the men apply for
this work, and the nature Of the as
signment requires that great care be
exercised in selecting the men. The
patrolman is subjected to a physical,
moral, mechanical and temperamental
test before he can be allowed to realize
his ambition to become a motor cop.
Those selected are given q course in
the Police Academy, where they under
go thorough instruction in gasoline en-
gines Of the motor cycle type They
are taught to correct mechanical faults
and make minor repairs.
From instruction in the class room
the student proceeds to the outdoors
for practical work in the operation Of
the motor cycle. Here he Is taught
how to judge and determine different
rates Of speed. pursue speeders, avoid
injury as result OF bad and slippery
pavementS, holes, excavations, etc; In
other words. applying q definite rule OF
prudence Of operation consistently at
all times to prevent accident and injury.
When the student is graduated, he u