Minn. State Patrol disbands motorcycle patrol
After about five years of operation, the Minnesota State Patrol is disbanding its motorcycle patrol program and will auction off the unit's five Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
The program was discontinued because there was a lack of interest from troopers, Minnesota State Patrol spokesperson Eric Roeske said. Riders in the unit also required more training than typical troopers.
"What's unique about the state patrol's motorcycle program is they are out on the freeways on high-volume, high-speed roadways, versus some of the other agencies that have them that focus more on city streets," Roeske said. "Thankfully, we had not had anybody sustain serious or life-threatening injuries on the motorcycles, but looking at what we see nationwide, they are at a greater risk of injury should they be involved in a crash."
The first 2008 Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide motorcycle will appear in an auction Saturday. Another will be sold in a state online auction next week.
The Minnesota State Patrol previously had a motorcycle program between 1930 and 1949.
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