Published: October 20, 2007 12:44 am         

Motorcycle cops to be patrolling Greenville

GREENVILLE — In the near future, patrol officers with the Greenville Police Department will come in four-wheeled and two-wheeled versions.

Police Chief Harold Roseberry intends to present a proposal to the City Council next week, outlining the department’s upcoming motorcycle patrol program. A local officer will be appointed as the first rider for the program and the police department would lease the motorcycle.

The Council will consider the proposal during Tuesday’s work session, starting at 5 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 2821 Washington Street. The regular agenda will follow at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Officer Dan Turrentine has been chosen as the first Greenville officer to be assigned to the new motorcycle unit. Turrentine has been with the department for 22 of his 32 years in law enforcement, is certified in accident reconstruction by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, and has ridden motorcycles for 36 years.

Roseberry is proposing the motorcycle unit be used for accident investigation, as a motorcycle can often arrive on the scene of a crash faster than a regular patrol car, as well as for everything from speed enforcement to monitoring traffic light violations to combating aggressive driving. The unit would also be utilized for public relations and appearances in parades and other local special events.

The police department would lease the motorcycle for $440 per month or $5,280 per year from Lone Star Harley Davidson of Tyler.