A BRIEF HISTORY OF LONDON POLICE MOTORCYCLE SQUADS

John Lisowski

 

The earliest mention of motorcycle use by the London Police Force appeared in the July 13, 1920, issue of The Advertiser in which it was reported that the London Police Force was considering purchasing motorcycles “to facilitate the capture of speeders”. The police justified the expense by saying the motorcycles would pay for themselves in a month by the fines that would be collected from speeders. Motorcycles also served another purpose. On September 22, 1921, The Advertiser reported that police had discovered that when motorcycle officers were placed at the corner of King and Richmond Streets and other busy intersections of Downtown London, motorists did not cut corners as they were wont to do on other days, thereby endangering pedestrians and causing accidents.

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THREE MEMBERS OF THE LONDON POLICE DEPARTMENT’S MOTORCYCLE SQUAD ON CARLING STREET, LOOKING EAST TOWARDS RICHMOND STREET. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: POLICE CONSTABLES TOM MCMASTER, CHARLES MALBRY AND GAVIN MONAHAN. THE ADVERTISER, JUNE 15, 1923.

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According to the October 4, 1922, issue of The Advertiser, the efficiency of the motorcycles prompted Chief Burrell to include a request for two motorcycles and two motorcycle officers to be added to the Force in his 1923 Police Budget. He justified the request by pointing out that officers on motorcycles were able to save the Force much time and money because they could cover much more ground in less time than foot patrols. At that time there were three motorcycles in use. Initially, motorcycle officers were on duty eight hours a day, just like the unformed men. When the motorcycles were first acquired, the individual drivers were responsible for their maintenance before this responsibility was turned over to the mechanic in the garage. In its March 23, 1926, issue The Advertiser reported that ex-Mayor Wenige expressed his opinion that Police Officers were walking too slowly on their beats and that if they walked more “briskly” they would be able to patrol a greater area. He added that a brisk pace would increase their powers of observation because surely “a slow, monotonous walk would almost put a person to sleep.” He went so far as to suggest officers be equipped with pedometers by means of which the Chief would know the distance each officer had walked during his shift, thereby preventing any loitering on the job. Wenige also suggested that at least half of the force be outfitted with bicycles which would not attract as much attention as the noisy motorcycles. It should be noted that Wenige owned a bicycle shop at the time. On February 21, 1929, The Advertiser reported that Chief Robert Birrell was seeking the approval of the Polce Board to purchase two new motorcycles at a cost of $1,079.00. Five days later the newspaper reported that Chief Birrell had recommended the purchase of six bicycles. In its May 15, 1929, issue The Advertiser reported that Chief Birrell’s order for a “fleet” (the exact number was not given) of high speed bicycles to patrol the outlying districts of the city had arrived at the Carling Street Police Station that morning. On March 31, 1931, the London Advertiser reported that Chief Down, who had replaced Chief Birrell on August 28, 1930, had announced that day that a new light model scout car would replace two police motorcycles, that a new motorcycle had been ordered, and that three older motorcycles would be sold at auction. These actions reduced the motorcycle squad from 8 to 6 motorcycles. Six months later, the number of motorcycles was further reduced to two. The explanation offered for the reduction was that during the night hours criminals could hear the staccato noise of a motorcycle engine from a long distance while a patrol car could approach much closer before being detected

.Almost ten years later, in its February 5, 1940, issue, the London Free Press reported that the London Police Force had sold three of its seven motorcycles for $415.00 and that the Police Board had authorized Chief Down to purchase three new ones to replace them.

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IN DECEMBER, 1948, THE LONDON POLICE FORCE PURCHASED  THREE NEW THREE -WHEELED MOTORCYCLES FOR THE METER SQUAD. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: CONSTABLES WA LTER VAREY, JIM DOBSON AND GEORGE OSBORNE  LONDON FREE PRESS , DECEMBER 31, 1948 .

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The London Free Press reported on March 1, 1951, that the Police Board had rejected Chief Knight’s request for an 18-man motorcycle squad and only authorized the formation of a 9-man squad to address numerous speeding complaints and other traffic violations. The Board also authorized the purchase of three new motorcycles at a cost of $3,675.00. They were delivered on April 4, 1951. On October 16, 1951, the London Free Press reported that there were three police motorcycles on the road 16 hours of every day on two shifts – one from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the other from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. The motorcycle squad at that time was comprised of Police Constables Walter Harding, Gordon Rumming, Allan Finch, George Barber, Walter Warner, Walter Johnson, Maurice Heath and Richard Graham. The following year, on April 3, 1952, the London Free Press reported that the previous day the Police Board had authorized Chief Knight to purchase four new motorcycles and a three-wheeler for meter patrol. The Minutes of the Police Board meeting held on April 2, 1952, reveal that the Board had also authorized the addition of 15 officers to the motorcycle squad. The Minutes of the Police Board meeting held on February 8, 1956, reveal that the Board had approved the replacement of five motorcycles to be supplied by Rosco Robb, a representative of the Harley-Davidson Company,

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LEFT TO RIGHT: TRAFFIC INSPECTOR CECIL FRENCH ,
UNIFORMED DIVISION INSPECTOR FINLAY CARROLL ,
AND CONSTABLE WALTER HARDING WITH THE
RECENTLY PURCHASED MOTORCYCLES . LONDON
FREE PRESS , APRIL 4 , 1 9 5 1 .

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ROS TAPP, LEFT, AND WALTER VAREY, RIGHT, TWO OF
THE NINE-MAN MOTORCYCLE SQUAD.
LONDON FREE PRESS , APRIL 17 , 1951

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​at prices ranging from $1,095.00 to $1,285.00. A year later, the Minutes of the Police Board meeting held on February 2, 1957, reveal that it had further authorized the purchase of two Harley-Davidson motorcycles at a cost of $1,750.00 each, as well as two mobile radio units for them.

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LONDON POLICE FORCE MOTORCYCLE SQUAD WHICH WAS TASKED WITH CONDUCTING VOLUNTARY EQUIPMENT CHECKS AT QUEEN’S PARK FROM APRIL 6 - 18 , 1953 .
LONDON FREE PRESS , MARCH 28 , 1953 .

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The February 15, 1958 Police Board Minutes reveal that the Board had awarded a contract to Rocky’s Cycle Centre for the supply of 5 Harley-Davidson motorcycles at $6,666.75, with trade-in allowances. Raymond Burke Motor Cycles would supply 2 Triumph motorcycles, while Rogers-Majestic was awarded a contract for the supply of radio units for each of the 5 Harley-Davidson motorcycles at $950.00 per unit. On February 22, 1958, the London Free Press reported that Chief Knight had announced that all motorcycles and cars would be painted yellow, that five of the new motorcycles to be purchased that year would be equipped with radios, and that for the very first time, they would also be equipped with
red “pursuit” lights. On April 2, 1958, the Police Board Minutes reveal that the Board had authorized the purchase of two new Triumph motorcycles with third wheel equipment, at a cost of $1,241.00 each.

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CONSTABLE ORVAL SCHROEDER SITTING ON ONE OF TWO RECENTLY ACQUIRED POLICE MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH EXPENSIVE TWO -WAY RADIO EQUIPMENT WHICH PERMITS CONSTABLES TO BE DISPATCHED TO ANY LOCATION WITH IN MINUTES .
LONDON FREE PRESS , JULY 23 , 1957 .

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On July 22, 1958, the London Free Press reported that although the London Police Force operated two threewheeled servi-cars in 1949 to check parking meters, motorcycles were not re-introduced after the war until 1951, when 3 were purchased. Another three-wheeler was bought the following year. In 1957, the Police Force had 10 motorcycles. That number was increased to 13 in 1958, 9 of the units being completely new, featuring fluid brakes and shock absorbers.
On December 30, 1958, the Police Board approved the purchase of three 1959 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Model 74, from Rocky’s Cycle Centre at the price of $1,221.10 each, after the trade-in allowance of $900.00.

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​STAFF SERGEANT FRED BRUCE GIVING CADETS BILL ARBUCKLE , BILL PAYNTON , TOM WHYTE AND MIKE KENYK SOME FIRST-HAND TRAINING ON MOTORCYC L E S .
LONDON FREE PRESS , NOVEMBER 4 , 1957 .

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SUPERINTENDENT FRED BRUCE WAS IN CHARGE OF THE COURSE ATTENDED BY 23 CONSTABLES AND TWO POLICE CADETS . THE UNIFORMED INSTRUCTORS SHOWN ABOVE , FROM RIGHT TO LEFT, ARE CONSTABLES RONALD STEPHEN , LAVERNE KIBBLER AND ARDELL MCINTYRE . SEATED ON THE MOTORCYCLES , FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, ARE BERNARD MILLS , MALCOLM SMITH AND GLEN SMITH .
LONDON FREE PRESS , MARCH 3 , 1958 .

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SEATED ON THE YELLOW MOTORCYCLES , FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, ARE JACK BROUMPTON , HENRY GRIGG , MURRAY MCALPINE , DONALD BRYDON AND STANLEY IRWIN . TRAFFIC INSPECTOR CECIL FRENCH IS STANDING AT THE RIGHT.
LONDON  FREE PRESS , APRIL 16 , 1958 .

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The sharp-eyed among you may have noticed that up to this point motorcycle officers did not wear helmets. After Constable Roy Heath suffered serious facial injuries when he was thrown from his motorcycle, on January 8, 1959, the Police Board commissioned a study of the various helmets available. Motorcycle officers remained divided on the value of helmets. Some said they would save lives and would prevent skull fractures, while others felt they might be too cumbersome and that while skull fractures might be avoided, necks might be broken by the chin straps. The following month, on February 4, 1959, the Police Board approved the purchase of two new Triumph motorcycles at a cost of $1,176.00 each. On March 1, 1959, Traffic Superintendent Fred Bruce revealed the new crash helmets that London motorcycle officers would be wearing. The first officer to wear one on active duty was Constable Orville Wilton. The helmets proved their worth when on June 4, 1959, Constable Donald Boos escaped injury when his motorcycle collided
with a car at Mt. Pleasant and Wharncliffe Road. Later that same day, Cadet William Painter, attempting to avoid a collision with a car near Richmond and Kent Streets, had to lay his motorcycle down on its side. Both survived with minor injuries and bruising. On October 14, 1959, Constable Michael Konyk was treated at Victoria Hospital for a sprained left arm following a collision with a car in which he was thrown over the front of his motorcycle and the hood of a car at Queens Avenue and English Street. On October 21, 1959, Constable Ronald Joseph was released from Victoria Hospital with a scraped leg, the only injury he received when he laid his motorcycle down in the street at the King and Ridout intersection when he struck a car that had turned right in front of him. On July 21, 1960, Constable Malcolm Smith, suffered a dislocated shoulder when his motorcycle collided with a truck at Wellington and King Streets. The efficiency of the motorcycle patrol was revealed when Chief Knight reported that since January 1, 1961, 161 motorists had been summonsed for various Highway Traffic Act offences on Dundas Street between Clarence and Burwell Streets following the assignment of the patrol to that area from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. On March 18, 1960, the London Free Press reported that
the London Police Motorcycle Squad consisting of 6 motorcycles would go back into operation Sunday after a three-month winter hiatus. The motorcycle patrols would operate on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on weekends between 8 a.m. and midnight during Spring, Summer and Fall. By April 2, 1960, the London Free Press was able to report that the Police Force had 15 motorcycles. Two years later, on February 12, 1962, the London Free Press reported that the Police Force had ordered five Triumph motorcycles from Raymond Burkeat a cost of $3,290.72 with trade-ins, and nine Harley- Davidson motorcycles from Rocky’s Cycle Centre at a cost of $19,152.45 with trade-ins. On February 10, 1962, the Police Board approved the purchase of nine 1962 Harley-Davidson motorcycles from Rocky’s Cycle Centre at a total cost of $16,320.81, and five 1962 Triumph motorcycles from Raymond Burke. On January 29, 1966, the Police Board awarded a contract to Rocky’s Cycle Centre for five 500cc BMW motorcycles, equipped with English Side-Car Chassis at a cost of
$1,379.00 each, with trade-ins. On February 4, 1967, the Police Board authorized the purchase of four 1967 Harley- Davidson motorcycles from Rocky’s Cycle Centre at a cost of $1,453.30 each, with trade-ins. Two years later, on January 28, 1969, the Police Board purchased four 1969 Harley-Davidson motorcycles from Rocky’s Cycle Centre (London) Ltd.
In early February 1971, London Police announced that their members would eventually be equipped with portable radios replacing those installed in cruisers and on motorcycles. The tiny, compact units could be carried on the officer’s belt or in a pocket, with the microphone in a lop pocket of his uniform. Motorcycle policemen using the units could have the microphone installed in their helmets so they could speak without taking their hands off the handlebars. Two members of the Police Board, Mayor Herb J. McClure and Chairman Judge W. E. C. Colter, had accompanied Police Chief Walter Johnson and Syd Cole, Police Garage Superintendent, on a two-day trip to Orlando, Florida, where they inspected the communication system used by that city’s Police Force. Chief Johnson reported that Orlando was one of the few American cities totally converted to the new personalized type radios.

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SGT. TOM O’BRIEN , A LONGTIME MOTORCYCLIST SITS ON A VEHICLE LOANED TO THE LONDON POLICE SERVICE TO TRY OUT. ACCORDING TO SGT. O’BRIEN , THE THREE -WHEELED SPYDER MADE BY BOMBARDIER HAD BOTH ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES WHEN COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL MOTORCYCLES . THE SPYDER , WITH ITS TWO FRONT WHEELS , DOESN’T NEED A STAND, AND CAN BE MORE STABLE , BUT IT HAS A MUCH LARGER FOOT PRINT, BEING ABOUT AS WIDE AS A  SMALL CAR , SO IT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GO WHERE A TRADITIONAL MOTORCYCLE COULD.
LONDON FREE PRESS . AUGUST 27 , 2009 .

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POLICE OFFICER  INVESTIGATING THE COLLISION ON WELLINGTON ROAD. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: SERGEANT SANDRA ARMSTRONG AND POLICE CONSTABLES TREVOR MACDONALD AND ANDREW COLES .

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AN OFF-DUTY LONDON POLICE OFFICER WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AT THE ON-RAMP CONNECTING WESTBOUND SARNIA ROAD AND NORTHBOUND WONDERLAND ROAD ON THURSDAY JULY 21 , 2011 . THE OFFICER WAS ENGAGED IN TRAFFIC CONTROL OF AN EXTRA -WIDE LOAD (PORTABLE CLASS ROOM) THAT WAS BEING HAULED NORTH ON WONDERLAND. HE HAD STOPPED TRAFFIC ON THE RAMP, WHEN HE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND.
LONDON FREE PRESS , JULY 21 , 2011 .

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Currently, the London Police Service Motorcycle Squad consists of 16 Police Officers who ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These motorcycles, which are favoured by a majority of those who ride them, are equipped with the most modern of technology. For example, each motorcycle is equipped with a Mobile Data Terminal (MDT), which is similar to the computers currently in use in cruisers. The officers are also able to print documents from a printer that is located in the Travel Box situated behind the rider. The helmets are models of engineering ingenuity with Bluetooth technology, enabling officers to speak with Headquarters or other motorcycle officers through a microphone attached to the helmet which is activated and controlled by buttons located on the handlebars. The versatility of motorcycles, enabling officers to drive where cruisers cannot, ensures that they remain a vital component of law enforcement.

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FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: RETIRED SERGEANT THOMAS (TOM ) O’BRIEN , RETIRED CONSTABLE DAVID ( DAVE ) BLOCH - HANSEN , AND CONSTABLE CHRIS TOP HER (CHRIS ) RILEY (CURRENTLY SERGEANT OF THE TRAFFIC
MANAGEMENT UNIT ) REPLICATE THE SCENE IN THE JUNE 15 , 1923 , PHOTO OF POLICE CONSTABLES TOM MCMASTER, CHARLES MALBRY AND GAVIN MONAHAN.
PHOTO TAKEN AT THE WEST END OF CARLING STREET ON MAY 27 , 2007 .

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Sgt. Christopher (Chris) Riley of the Uniformed Division informed the author that the Great Lakes Police Motorcycle Seminars, an annual competition that attracts hundreds of participants from across Canada and the United States, affords Police Officers a wonderful opportunity to interact with brother officers and share not only their respective experience, but also information on the latest developments in motorcycle technology.