12 October 2010

Police Wrap - 12 October 2010

| johnboy
Join the conversation
27

1. Firebug on a spree:

ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to several fires in Tuggeranong over the weekend (October 9 and 10)

About 10.50pm on Saturday evening, police were called to the Early Childhood Centre in May Gibbs Close Richardson following the report of several small fires at that location. ACT Fire Brigade attended and extinguished the fires. The fires were located at various areas outside the centre including the rubbish hoppers and playground. The cost of the damage is yet to be determined.

A male was seen leaving the area on a red and white motorbike shortly after the fires began.

Police are also seeking witnesses to two other fires in Beaumaris Street and Altson Circuit Conder.

About 1.30am on Sunday morning, police attended Beaumaris Street Conder in relation to a rubbish hopper fire. About 2.10am the same day, police attended a wheelie bin fire in Altson Circuit Conder. The wheelie bin was completely destroyed in the fire.

Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed any of these incidents, or saw any suspicious activity in the Richardson or Conder areas to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website at www.act.crimestoppers.com.au. Information may be provided anonymously.

2. Ceremonial Hogs:

ACT Policing is trialling four Harley-Davidson FLHTP Electra Glide motorcycles over the next 12 months.

These trial motorcycles, supplied by Harley-Davidson Australia and prepared at the factory specifically for police duties, will supplement the existing fleet of Yamaha FJR 1300cc bikes and will be used in a variety of Traffic Operations roles including patrol work and ceremonial duties.

These motorcycles are for a single rider and are designed and purpose built by Harley-Davidson to suit the requirements of police work. H-D has been producing specific motorcycles for police and emergency services throughout the world for more than a century.

Harley-Davidson, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, produces 7,500 motorcycles per year specifically for use by police in North America, South America and European countries.

The Police-specific Electra Glide is being trialled because of the multi-purpose nature of Traffic Operations motorcycle officer duties in the ACT. Due to the number of visiting high-ranking dignitaries and VIP tours into Canberra, ACTP motorcycle officers are required to perform ceremonial and motorcade duties in addition to their usual patrol work.

The bikes, on loan from Harley-Davidson Australia, feature anti-lock brakes, flashing LED red and blue lights, a public address system and siren, moulded saddlebags, an inbuilt radio box, and footboards. The police bikes have a slightly larger engine capacity (1.7 litres) than the “civilian” specification, and are geared to suit low-speed (walking pace) ceremonial duties.

The bikes arrive less than a week after ACTP revealed three new jetskis for its Water Operations fleet.

Join the conversation

27
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

drewski said :

A cop on a harley defintiely…like…makes them sooo much…like…cooler, you know? Like…live to ride dudes.

Fool. Harleys aren’t cool, they’re 100% bad, 100% bad ass, 100% bad to the bone.

AngryHenry said :

One word…

CHIPS!

Kawasakis.

drewski said :

A cop on a harley defintiely…like…makes them sooo much…like…cooler, you know? Like…live to ride dudes.

One word…

CHIPS!

A cop on a harley defintiely…like…makes them sooo much…like…cooler, you know? Like…live to ride dudes.

I hope the cops don’t drop them as often as they drop the FJ’s they have now, with the cost of HD parts, it’d cost a fortune.

When I give up motorcycling, I will go and buy a Harley.

Given the Harleys are on loan, what’s the big deal about whether they’re the perfect cop bike or not? They’re a free trial and cross promotion for both Harley and the noppers.

Not perfect in every way, but definitely suitable. And in the hands of an experienced and capable rider a cop Harley is likely more than capable against the average hoon on a Ninja.

Maybe I don’t pay enough attention, but do we hear that many stories about ACT motorcycle cops catching speedsters, engaging pursuits, protecting & serving anyway? Regardless of what bike they’re on, I imagine the majority of police activity involving a motorbike is assisted by cop car backup (I’m pretty good with the lingo, hey).

In fact I think the only action I’ve ever seen in Canberra involving cops on motorbikes is when they’re parked on the side of the road and the officer is hiding behind a tree pointing a speed camera at me, or they’re involved in a low-speed pursuit with the Governor-General. Harley’s are awesome at that stuff.

For the uneducated….Harley have moved ahead in leaps and bounds over the past ten or fifteen years. I had the misfortune of owning an 80’s model and agree that was a heap of crap…however the new 2011 models are a different kettle of fish. Just dont underestimate them. I took a new model for a 150km test ride a couple of months ago and was astounded in the progress. ABS, great acceleration, comfortable and surprisingly high speed cruising, good ground clearance, up to date ergonomics and technology. They are a bit like a wolf in sheeps clothing. They are a 2011 modern bike cleverly disguised as a 1960’s boat anchor. I never thought I would ever say this, but I am seriously considering trading my current big Jap bike (my 15th bike) for a new Harley. So it is my suggestion to those who ride, go and have a test ride on a new Harley and see for yourself. And no, I dont work for Harley, I am not trying to promote their product, just saying it like it is.

Pommy bastard said :

Why the hell would the police want Harleys? Awful, underpowered, badly made, slow, cumbersome lumps of bikes.

Dear god, crims on pushbikes would be able to out run them…

Too true Pb. When I first heard the story on radio news, I thought the water police had supplemented the new jetskis with boat anchors…

image has been sent through.

Pommy bastard3:36 pm 12 Oct 10

mad_kiwi said :

Harley Davidson – the most efficient way to turn fuel into noise without the side effect of horsepower.

Oh dear, hot tea down the nose can be quite painful, not painful enough to stop me laughing though.

South park summed up Harley riders perfectly:

Fag (f?g) n.
1. An extremely annoying, inconsiderate person most commonly associated with Harley riders.
2. A person who owns or frequently rides a Harley.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_F_Word_(South_Park)#Plot

Got no problem with Harleys, not too sure about them as a police bike though…
Anyway i was walking past the cop shop in the city today and there was one parked outside so i whipped out the trusty camera phone and snapped a pic. Once i figure out how to upload it to riotact i shall do so for you all to have a look at. Unless you’ve already seen them in which case i’ll look like a fool.

I agree about the harleys – all round crap bike.

Jetskis, if nothing else, are cool.

Harley Davidson – the most efficient way to turn fuel into noise without the side effect of horsepower.

Woody Mann-Caruso2:07 pm 12 Oct 10

Why the hell would the police want Harleys?

So we can make jokes about pigs on hogs?

(I kid. Please don’t tase me.)

exfed2 said :

You want to join an organisation that feels the need to promise Harleys and jetskis in order to attract members? Go buy yourself both and save the hassle 🙂

No, it was more about being able to ride a jet ski on LBG, and only having to dodge the other two, cause no one else it allowed to.

Why the hell would I want a HD? By the sound of the engine size and gearing, it would be a bit like driving a landcruiser in low range.

p1 said :

squirell said :

“The bikes arrive less than a week after ACTP revealed three new jetskis for its Water Operations fleet.”

I’ve got no problem with jetskis, but does anyone else think that it’s a bit overkill for police on jetskis here in Canberra?

It is all part of the recruitment campaign. I have to admit it is the first thing in a long time which has made me interesting in joining the ACT Police.

You want to join an organisation that feels the need to promise Harleys and jetskis in order to attract members? Go buy yourself both and save the hassle 🙂

Squirell stated ‘here in canberra’ IDG etc where they are being used overseas fair call but Burley Griffin? Please. Gee that’d be a cushy job….

squirell said :

“The bikes arrive less than a week after ACTP revealed three new jetskis for its Water Operations fleet.”

I’ve got no problem with jetskis, but does anyone else think that it’s a bit overkill for police on jetskis here in Canberra?

It is all part of the recruitment campaign. I have to admit it is the first thing in a long time which has made me interesting in joining the ACT Police.

Pommy bastard12:18 pm 12 Oct 10

Why the hell would the police want Harleys? Awful, underpowered, badly made, slow, cumbersome lumps of bikes.

Dear god, crims on pushbikes would be able to out run them…

la mente torbida11:56 am 12 Oct 10

@squirell

can’t see the jetskis being any greater overkill than the existing fleet of high powered catamarans

exfed2 said :

“The bikes arrive less than a week after ACTP revealed three new jetskis for its Water Operations fleet.

Water operations in ACT 🙂 plenty of rec boaters and jetskiers hooning across LBG to chase down. Money well spent………….

Wait til they announce the new police submarine – you’ll be fuming!

When are the police hovercraft turning up?

“The bikes arrive less than a week after ACTP revealed three new jetskis for its Water Operations fleet.”

I’ve got no problem with jetskis, but does anyone else think that it’s a bit overkill for police on jetskis here in Canberra?

“The bikes arrive less than a week after ACTP revealed three new jetskis for its Water Operations fleet.

Water operations in ACT 🙂 plenty of rec boaters and jetskiers hooning across LBG to chase down. Money well spent………….

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.