Kalamazoo city officials are considering a plan to revive the public safety department’s police motorcycle unit. In this 2022 file photo, a Michigan law enforcement official drives on a test course. (MLive file photo)
KALAMAZOO, MI -- Kalamazoo city officials are considering a plan to revive the public safety department’s police motorcycle unit. Batten Lights Beacon
The city’s proposed budget, which is up for final approval, includes the purchase or lease of three motorcycles for the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety fleet.
The three Harley Davidson Harley-Davidson Electra Glide motorcycles are in the proposed 2023 budget that the Kalamazoo City Commission is expected to consider for final approval on Tuesday, Jan. 17, Deputy Chief Matt Huber told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette.
The city received bids from two motorcycle dealerships to buy or lease the Harleys -- Grand Rapids Harley-Davidson and Perry Harley-Davidson in Portage.
The purchase cost would be between $66,246.75 and $86,000.73 for the three motorcycles, according to a bid document from the city. Perry also provided a quote for a lease, at $19,555.56 per year for three motorcycles for a total of $58,666.68.
A bid tabulation document from the city of Kalamazoo. The bid was pending as of Jan. 12.
KDPS has had a Motor Unit for nearly 100 years, at one time consisting of seven motorcycles, Huber said.
Between 2016-2022, the unit was inactive due to lease renewals, lack of trained officers and the pandemic, he said. During this absence, KDPS has had to rely on Motor Units from other law enforcement partners including the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police, he said.
“KDPS motorcycles will primarily be used to engage in special enforcement functions, handle special details, participate in motorcades and processions, community engagement events and other police activities where the maneuverability and visibility of police motorcycles is of value,” Huber said.
Additional duties will be on an as-needed basis to supplement field patrol efforts and traffic enforcement, he said.
The Motor Unit will be operated mostly during the warmer months and not during heavy or continuous rain or inclement weather.
Winter operations, like use in the Kalamazoo Holiday Parade, will be on a case-by-case basis and weather dependent, he said.
In 2022, KDPS sent nine officers through an 80-hour training course to certify their driving skills. KDPS said the motorcycles are made for police use.
The motorcycles will be black and white, and model year 2023 or newer, the bid sheet states. The bid is pending approval.
The motorcycles should have a minimum engine displacement 1250cc, a push-to-talk switch that can be used with Motorola police radio equipment, a police emergency response kit that includes siren speaker, siren amplifier, public amplification with microphone, police lights, and a switch that allows approximately 15 minutes of power to police emergency equipment with ignition off.
The delivery date should be no later than April 1, the bid document states.
The proposed 2023 budget includes $299.9 million in expenditures -- the highest amount ever in the city budget, city officials said.
The public safety department’s proposed budget of $34.5 million is the largest of the city departments, making up about 45% of all department expenditures.
The 2022 amended budget shows $33 million for the department in 2022.
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