Joe Waren takes motorcycle training to heart. He said, "Riding a motorcycle enough is dangerous as it is. We have to be able to ride in traffic, ride aggressively for traffic enforcement, responding to accidents and things. There's a lot that more that's involved in riding a police motorcycle versus riding a regular motorcycle."
That's why Chattanooga Police and Hamilton County Sheriffs Office hold this two-week intensive Motorcycle Operators Course.
Officer Nathan Hartwig with the Chattanooga Police Department added, "Motorcycle training is by far the hardest police training I've ever been through."
And the course set-up in East Ridge at Camp Jordan is one of the best.
Waren explains, "It's been described as one of the toughest courses in law enforcement. In fact, it's compared to SWAT schools and that sort of thing because of the physical and mental challenges that this course offers. It just beats you up every day."
Amanda Wenrich came down from just outside Philadelphia to get the training. She said, "It's definitely challenging. It's a huge challenge but it's rewarding when you finally get through the course. It just feels good."
And they're all putting the pedal to the metal on this course.
Waren adds, "How to control the bikes in different situations, different surfaces. We take the bikes off road. We take them out in the rain, slick roads, whatever."
Hartwig echoes, "Your body's wore out from dropping your bikes numerous times as you're learning how to slow ride through the course. But it's very mentally challenging, too, once you overcome that you can do it then it gets easier."
And it's an opportunity for continuous learning since motor officers must take the course many times throughout their careers.
