POLICE MOTORCYCLE TRAINING.
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Six R's to Successful Training
Training must be continuous and on going and training cannot end upon completion of a basic motorcycle school. During in-service training instructors must focus upon six different areas to provide valuable training to their students.

1. Relevant - the training being instructed must be relevant to the subject matter. Motorcycle training must focus on various tasks to prepare the Enforcement Officer in the tour of duty. An example of relevant training is Counter Steering.

2. Recent - training concepts change and instructors must adapt and change also. A technique that I have used for years and recent training to others is instructing your students to operate the motorcycle without using the rear brake. Begin this technique during breeze-outs then transition into the slow, offset and intersection.
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3. Repetition - in order to react in a stressful situation an individual must have performed numerous repetitions of that required skill, some studies identify several hundred repetitions. Remember practice becomes permanent and you will react the way you train. If you do not practice braking there is a strong chance you will not brake with success in a threatening encounter. Apply the front brake first every time you stop and in an emergency situation you will perform that technique.

4. Realism - Officers must have their heart rate elevated to understand the concept of stress and ability to react. Realism can be achieved while conducting the Evasive Maneuver. The student must react to the threat (instructor) with one of three choices: countersteer to the left, countersteer to the right or conduct emergency braking. The particular exercise provides realism and stress to training.

5. Review - Instructors must provide immediate feedback to students during basic, in-service and advanced courses. Instructors you also must be able to accept review. While conducting any training exercise if any officer identifies an error on my skill, I want their review; it will only improve your ability. As an instructor I continue to learn everyday.

6. Responsibility - Remember you chose to be a Motorcycle Officer. If your agency does not provide the training that is required for you to survive, then you must provide the training. Each day you can go into an open parking lot and practice slow-controlled maneuvers, braking and countersteering.

This training article was written by Captain Jim Polan. Jim Polan is a 24-year Law Enforcement veteran and currently a Captain with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.