806- HCSO Motorcycle and Operator Requirements

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I. Purpose

This policy establishes specific guidelines for the operation of motorcycles by Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) employees both on- and off-duty. Compliance with this policy standardizes and enhances the professional appearance of HCSO motorcycle operators.

II. Definitions

Approved Models: The following are the only authorized models approved for use under this policy.

  • Harley-Davidson Road King (police model FLHP)
    • Harley-Davidson Electra Glide (police model FLHTP)
    • Harley-Davidson Road Glide (police model FLTRXP)
    • Honda Gold Wing

    Escort of Convenience: A police escort for purposes other than funerals, oversized or hazardous loads, or other traffic disruptions under Section 546.002(a) of the Texas Transportation Code. Escorts of convenience may involve celebrities, weddings, proms, or sports teams.

    Motorcycle Crash: Any event at any location where an HCSO-marked motorcycle owned by an HCSO employee, strikes another vehicle, person, or object, or is at rest and is struck by another vehicle. This includes an HCSO-marked motorcycle that strikes another vehicle while in motion, is struck by another vehicle while in motion, or is struck while at rest — regardless of whether the motorcycle is occupied at the time. Motorcycle crashes are considered fleet crashes under Policy 804 — Fleet Vehicle Crash.

    Prohibited Equipment: The following equipment that may not be placed on any motorcycle approved for use under this policy:

  • Stealth-type, a.k.a. “ghost” striping and decals
    • Removable vehicle wraps in lieu of paint
    • Decorative hardware

    Required Equipment: The authorized equipment that must be installed on a motorcycle for it to be used under this policy:

  • An electronic siren capable of at least two tones as well as an air horn
    • Two standard LED flashing lights on the front of the motorcycle — one red LED on the left and one blue LED on the right
    • Four-way flashers visible from the front (amber) and rear (amber or red)
    • Alternating red and blue flashing LED lights on the rear
    • Electric turn indicators with red- or amber-colored lenses
    • A safety windshield.

    Subject Employee: The employee whose actions are at the center of an internal investigation.

    Vehicular Crimes Division (VCD): The division within HCSO responsible for oversight, training, and certification related to motorcycle operation by HCSO employees.

III. Policy

HCSO employees use motorcycles to enhance law enforcement functions such as crash investigation, traffic enforcement, and vehicle escorts. Agency personnel may also operate motorcycles for off-duty extra employment assignments. The same rules govern both on-duty motorcycle use and off-duty use related to HCSO employment.

IV. Procedure

  1. VCD Oversight
    1. It will be the responsibility of the VCD supervisors and instructors to train, recertify, and inspect the uniforms and equipment of employees for employees assigned to the motorcycle unit and for employees certified to operate a motorcycle for extra employment purposes.
    2. Decisions regarding suspension from motorcycle operations will be at the discretion of the VCD commander or their designee.
    3. A roster of all employees with approved motorcycles, motorcycle numbers, and unit numbers shall be maintained by the VCD commander or their designee. Inspection and recertification reports will also be retained to maintain records of employee compliance.
  2. Operator Responsibilities

    HCSO employees authorized to use motorcycles related to their employment must comply with the rules laid out in this policy.

    1. All motorcycle operators who represent HCSO shall obey state laws when operating their motorcycles (including paying tolls).
    2. All motorcycle vehicle equipment must be in compliance with state law.
    3. Because motorcycle crashes are considered fleet crashes under Policy 804 — Fleet Vehicle Crash, an HCSO employee whose motorcycle is involved in a motorcycle crash must report that in accordance with that policy.
    4. Failure to adhere to relevant HCSO policy may result in corrective action, disciplinary action, or removal of motors privileges.
    5. Any loss of extra employment privileges will be subject to appeal under Policy 244 — Extra Employment.
  3. General Procedures
    1. Basic Requirements
      1. Required Documents

        Any employee requesting authorization to use motorcycles related to their employment must possess the following:

        1. A valid Texas driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement and
        2. A valid liability insurance policy that provides coverage on the motorcycle to be operated.
      2. Required Training
        1. The only training courses approved and accepted will be the ones taught and sponsored by HCSO:
      3. Employees must successfully complete the HCSO basic 80-hour Police Motorcycle Operator course prior to riding in a department motorcycle unit program or an extra-employment escort.
      4. Each year thereafter, employees shall complete the HCSO-approved 16-hour Police Motorcycle Recertification course.
        1. These courses shall be instructed by certified police motorcycle instructors assigned to VCD and be offered twice each year, once in the spring and once in the fall.
  4. Training Specifications
    1. Model-Specific Training
      1. Employees attending training courses must do so on the motorcycle they intend to use both on- and off-duty as a motorcycle operator.
      2. An employee who purchases a different model than the one they trained on must attend the next recertification course before they will be authorized to ride the new motorcycle in relation to their employment.
    2. Failure to Recertify
      1. Employees who fail to complete the annual HCSO-approved 16-hour Police Motorcycle Operator recertification course shall be suspended from operating motorcycles in relation to their employment — both on- and off-duty — until they successfully complete the course.
      2. The suspension will take effect on January 1 following the missed recertification to allow for the request and consideration of waivers by VCD. Requests for these waivers will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
      3. An employee thus suspended shall not operate a motorcycle in relation to their employment unless they are in transit to recertification.
  5. Inspection and Approval for Use

    No employee shall ride any motorcycle with police equipment attached that has not been inspected and approved by a VCD supervisor unless the employee is test-riding the motorcycle for possible purchase, riding to the location of an inspection, or riding to HCSO’s 80-hour Police Motorcycle Operator course.

    Any motorcycle that has received a “poor” rating in any category during an inspection must be repaired prior to receiving the inspector’s approval for use.

    1. Initial Inspection
      1. A VCD supervisor shall inspect a motorcycle prior to approving it for use under this policy. The inspection shall ensure safe mechanical operation and conformity with HCSO policies.
      2. Once a motorcycle p[asses its initial inspection, the VCD supervisor may assign the employee a unit number and advise the Communications Division of that number.
    2. Subsequent Inspections
      1. Each motorcycle approved for use by an HCSO employee in relation to their employment shall be inspected at least once annually by a VCD supervisor during mandatory recertification training.
      2. A motorcycle may be inspected at any time by a VCD supervisor.
  6. Equipment Specifications

    All motorcycles shall be painted white with black accents. Plastic trim pieces, silver engine guards, or areas not painted by the factory should not be painted. The following colorways for each make are authorized.

    1. Harley-Davidson motorcycles
      1. The gas tank, front and rear fenders, and fairing shall be white.
      2. The saddlebags and optional radio box, including mounting, shall be black. If a radio box is not mounted, the Harley-style police tour pack shall be black.

        Harley-Davidson paint scheme requirements Harley-style police tour pack

    2. Honda motorcycles
      1. Everything from the front of the seat forward — including the gas tank — shall be white.
      2. Everything from the front of the seat backward shall be black.
      3. Any piece of the motorcycle that crosses from the back section to the front section as described above shall be painted entirely in the color where the majority of the item is located.

        Honda paint scheme requirements

    3. New motorcycle models may have changing body lines, an employee shall not paint a motorcycle until they have presented the motorcycle to a VCD supervisor and been advised of the proper color scheme. Motorcycles in service as of September 1, 2020 will be allowed to stay in service without the need to change the color of any portion of the motorcycle.
    4. Failure to obtain approval of a color scheme prior to painting may result in a failed inspection. When this happens, the paint scheme shall be corrected before the motorcycle can pass an inspection.
    5. If a discrepancy in the color of a motorcycle panel is found during the final inspection, the VCD commander will be contacted to make a decision on the future use of the motorcycle.
    6. Motorcycles shall not be older than eight years from the original date of purchase. For example, a 2020 model motorcycle first purchased in 2023 may be ridden through the year 2031.
    7. A waiver may be submitted for motorcycles older than eight years. Such a waiver shall be submitted through the VCD chain of command to the Special Investigations Bureau commander. If approved, the waiver shall be valid for one year from the date of the letter, and should be renewed every year by the requesting employee. No more than two waivers for age shall be issued for the same motorcycle.

      Information that will be considered for such a waiver:

      • Age of the motorcycle
        • Mileage on the motorcycle
        • Amount of change in the year model
        • Professional appearance of the motorcycle
        • Amount of use expected from the motorcycle in the coming year
    8. Fairing is not permitted except for any that comes as standard equipment within a particular model’s police package.
    9. Harley-Davidson motorcycles shall retain a police-type solo seat.
    10. Honda motorcycles may retain the factory mounted trunk in lieu of the radio box and bracket, but passengers are prohibited. Harley-style police tour packs shall be installed if a factory trunk is not used.
    11. Motorcycles shall be equipped with both engine guards and saddlebag guards.
    12. Motorcycles may be equipped with an 800 MHz two-way radio capable of communicating on HCSO frequencies.
    13. Motorcycles placed into service before January 1, 2025 may have a standard-sized, black-colored Motorola-type radio box or one of the same dimensions. The radio box shall not have any switches or accessories mounted on or attached to it with the exception of a radio antenna, county-issued computer, or small emergency strobe lights.
    14. Motorcycles shall display, and have permanently affixed, the following decals:
      1. “SHERIFF” affixed to the front safety windshield with HCSO badge decal affixed to the fairing and centered under the “SHERIFF”
      2. HCSO badge decal affixed to each side of the gas tank
      3. “SHERIFF” affixed to each saddlebag, centered and visible from the side

        Note: These decals shall be the only official authorized lettering as applied to HCSO marked vehicles. No other markings are allowed, and no magnetic decal or facsimiles will be utilized.

      4. The identifying number assigned and issued by VCD affixed to and prominently displayed on the lower rear of the right saddlebag
      5. HCSO badge decal affixed to the lower rear of the left saddlebag.
      6. Only an approved HCSO vendor will apply decals to approved motorcycles.
      7. Upon termination or resignation from HCSO, any HCSO decals or lettering issued under this policy shall be removed immediately. Use of a motorcycle with HCSO decals or lettering by an individual who is not employed by HCSO may result in criminal prosecution.
    15. Any “spare” or “backup” motorcycles shall pass inspection comply with all HCSO policies before they are placed in service.
  7. Uniform Specifications

    Personnel assigned to operate a motorcycle shall abide by the following rules while riding a motorcycle.

    1. Helmet

      Employees must wear a helmet at all times while operating a motorcycle.

      1. The helmet shall be regulation issue with an approved HCSO badge decal on both sides and a screw-mounted patent-leather brim with silver trim for deputies and gold trim for supervisors.
      2. The use of a tinted face shield is prohibited. However, during inclement weather, the use of a clear shield is acceptable. Any exceptions to this policy shall be approved through the VCD chain of command to the Special Investigations Bureau commander. Any exceptions granted will result in the requested equipment being purchased by the employee.
    2. Regulation Motorcycle Jacket

      A regulation-issued motorcycle jacket or employee-purchased HCSO windbreaker may be worn with a full uniform. A windbreaker must have shoulder seams that allow for proper placement of the HCSO shoulder patches and any appropriate rank designations.

    3. Trousers

      The motorcycle riding trousers shall be regulation-issued.

    4. Boots

      The motorcycle boots will be regulation-issued with a round toe and must be kept highly polished.

    5. Uniform parts that are not issued by HCSO shall be purchased at the expense of the requesting employee.
    6. The approved HCSO motorcycle insignia is an authorized uniform item only to be worn by the Sergeants/Deputies assigned to the VCD Motors Unit.
    7. No employee shall operate a motorcycle in relation to their employment at any time unless they wear a complete HCSO motorcycle uniform.
  8. Escorts
    1. Off-Duty Escorts

      Employees who meet the minimum requirements for operating a police motorcycle and who wish to work extra employment assignments, while using their approved and inspected motorcycle, must submit an extra employment permit request through the online application through their immediate supervisor.

      Employees must ensure a copy of their yearly, the most current, departmental inspection certificate and HCSO Police Motorcycle Operator course certificate are on file with the VCD Traffic Enforcement Unit supervisor. This may be done subsequent to submitting the extra employment application, and the one approved extra employment permit will be good for all approved escorts.

      Off-duty escorts are subject to the following guidelines:

      1. Escorts shall be limited to funerals, oversized or hazardous loads, or other traffic disruptions, as provided by Section 546.002(a) of the Texas Transportation Code.
      2. Employees shall ensure an oversized or over-length load has all required permits (e.g., city, county, and state) before moving a vehicle. Employees shall not unnecessarily deviate from the route designated on the permit.
      3. In the event of any signal or infrastructure damage that is caused by an escorted load, the escorting employee is required to make a written report of the incident and immediately forward it to the VCD. If such damage requires immediate attention, the escorting employee shall notify the Communications Division and request the proper agency to be notified.
      4. Line-of-duty death and other HCSO-approved funeral escorts will be coordinated by the VCD.
      5. Departmental funeral escorts will be limited to those funerals of active employees, their spouses, or their children. A departmental funeral escort can be conducted for any reason at the direction of the Sheriff or his or her designee.
      6. Funeral escorts will be conducted holding a stationary point in an intersection. The employee will remain stopped until relieved and will not ride in circles, figure eights, or any other similar maneuver.
      7. Employees conducting funeral escorts must remain aware of the needs of the motoring public and minimize traffic congestion. Controlled-access freeways will be avoided whenever possible.
      8. If the escort involves leaving Harris County, emergency equipment may be utilized, and all traffic laws shall be obeyed.
      9. Escorts of convenience

        To prevent perceived endorsements or conflicts of interest, all escorts of convenience must have prior approval from the Special Investigations Bureau commander regarding the use of HCSO-approved equipment.

    2. Special-Assignment Escorts
      1. Employees authorized under this policy may be called upon by the VCD commander or their designee at any time to conduct department functions involving motorcycle escorts (e.g., escorting injured or fallen deputies to or from hospitals, etc.). When conducting a special assignment, an employee will be considered “on duty” and compensated in accordance with existing Harris County policies. Special assignments will be directed by VCD supervisors.
      2. An employee who refuses to carry out a special assignment given to them shall be suspended from off-duty motorcycle privileges.
      3. Authorized absences (preapproved vacation, sick leave, etc.) shall be sufficient justification for not performing a special-assignment escort. Conflicts due to primary duty assignments and special-assignment escorts will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the VCD commander. The employee will remain in the rotation until they participate in an escort.
        1. After three unauthorized absences, an employee may be placed on a 30-day suspension of off-duty motorcycle privileges.
        2. An employee who violates a 30-day suspension may be subject to a one-year suspension of off-duty motorcycle privileges.
        3. An employee who violates a one-year suspension may be subject to a permanent suspension of off-duty motorcycle privileges. The Special Investigations Bureau commander is the final authority on matters regarding suspension of off-duty motorcycle privileges.
  9. Complaints and Investigations
  10. All complaints against employees engaged in motorcycle escorts shall be referred to the VCD and investigated in accordance with Policy 231 — Internal Investigations. A VCD supervisor shall inform the subject employee’s chain of command in writing of the complaint.
  11. If a complaint is sustained, sanctions can include temporary or permanent suspension of off-duty motorcycle privileges. The investigating supervisor shall inform the Extra Employment Unit of any sustained complaints. The Special Investigations Bureau commander is the suspending authority.

References

Tex. Transp. Code § 546.002(a)
Policy 231 — Internal Investigations
Policy 244 — Extra Employment
Policy 804 — Fleet Vehicle Crash

Revision

This policy has been revised on the below listed dates:

N/A

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