LAPD Honors Motorcycle Officers

Posted on October 2, 2009 by lmharnisch

motorcycles_1917_crop
Los Angeles Times file photo
Los Angeles Police Department officers with Indian motorcycles, June 1917.

May 20, 1907, Motorcycle Officers  
May 20, 1907: LAPD motorcycle officers arrest speeders. The speed limit downtown is 12 mph and 20 mph elsewhere. The speed limit at certain downtown intersections is 4 mph. 		Oct. 11, 1905, Motorcycles  
Oct. 11, 1905: The Police Department wants two motorcycles.

2009_1002_motor_centennial

The Los Angeles Police Department is hosting a two-day celebration of its motorcycle unit today and tomorrow at the Police Academy in Elysian Park.

Friday's events include a motorcycle drill team performance, displays and guest speakers; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., free.

Saturday's events will feature a motor officer reunion; Noon, admission is $45 in advance, $55 at the door.

Further information is here.

Note, according to Capt. Art Sjoquist’s “History of the Los Angeles Police Department” (1984) and Times clips, the LAPD acquired its first motorcycles in 1905, so I’m not sure how the department arrived at the date of 1909, but I hope everyone has a great time this weekend.   

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About lmharnisch

I am retired from the Los Angeles Times
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1 Response to LAPD Honors Motorcycle Officers

  1. Manny Romeral's avatar Manny Romeral says:
    October 5, 2009 at 11:41 am

    True, the LAPD purchased its first two motorcycles in 1905. However, it wasn’t unitl 1909 when the Department officially established the first motorcycle squad consisting of six officers. All six officers were assigned to Traffic Division. The newly formed cadre of full-time motorcycle officers comprised the first “Speed Squad.”

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