Police officers test skills at Carson City's Extreme Motor Officer Challenge
Submitted by editor on Thu, 06/22/2017 - 1:02pm
Police officers are spending Thursday and Friday learning new skills that will be showcased during Saturday’s 14th annual Carson City Extreme Motor Officer Challenge in Mills Park.
“Participants will be introduced to the course then have time to practice the best way to maneuver through it,” explained deputy Joey Trotter, a certified motorcycle training officer. “They learn new skills on a new course, then they put those new skills to the test on Saturday.”
This year’s Iron Horse Challenge, created around a Western Theme, is a three-day training for motor officers from across the country, including a couple from Canada.
Officers will run through four different courses — a horseshoe, a lasso, the shape of Nevada and a dollar sign.
“The skills the officers are learning directly translate to everyday travel on patrol,” Trotter said. “It’s just a more extreme example. They way when something really bad happens, they will have the skills to out maneuver what comes in front of them.”
He said the obstacles are representative of the real-world experience.
“It would be like you’re chasing someone through a park,” Trotter said. “You’re not just driving on asphalt, but you’re going over curbs and concrete, rocks and gravel.”
In the past, officers have competed one a time through the course for the best time. This year, mirrored courses will be set up for a head-to-head competition.
“I think that will make it more fun to watch,” Trotter said.
In addition to coursework, officers will also compete in a slow ride to see who can maneuver around obstacles the slowest.
“The slower you can ride the bike shows you have control,” Trotter said. “That’s extremely important when you’re going through crowds or stuck in traffic. You can actually balance a motorcycle at a dead stop if you understand the motorcycle.”
While the event is a competition, Trotter said, it is a healthy one.
“The competitive edge is what makes us better,” he said. “Every one of us wants to be the top guy, and that’s where you start learning.”
Ultimately, participants understand the true purpose is to make the job safer for them all.
“Everyone wants everyone else to succeed,” he said. “Everyone is here to help each other.”
The Extreme Motor Officer Challenge will take place in Mills Park at the same time as Rockabilly Riot rat rod car show and the National T-Buckets convention, featuring Model-Ts. The Run What Cha Brung car show will also be happening in Fuji Park.
If you go: The Carson City Extreme Motor Officer Challenge is Thursday-Saturday; opening ceremonies 8 a.m. Saturday at Mills Park.
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