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L- Detective Dean Danelski, R-Offi cer Jerry Young


reen Bay is the oldest permanent settle- ment in Wisconsin and also the oldest west of Detroit, MI. During the formative years of the Green Bay Police Depart- ment, there were no squad cars, patrol wagons or call boxes. The Police Depart-


ment was equipped with one horse and buggy and patrol efforts were done on foot. The fi rst police automobile purchased for the Green Bay


Police Department occurred on June 20, 1913, a 40-horse- power Kissel Kar. The fi rst Harley-Davidson®


motorcycle


was purchased on May 17, 1912, for the price of $230.50. The Green Bay Police Department incorporated a motorcycle unit consisting of one offi cer and one Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. In 1925 the police department motorcycle unit was expanded to three offi cers, and by 1926 the motorcycle unit increased to six patrol offi cers. This was again increased in 1928 to nine offi cers and additional motorcycles. The department’s motorized patrol fl eet continued to develop


with the fl ourishing economy, increasing population and com- munity need for time-effi cient service. By 1934, the Green Bay Police Department’s motorized patrol units consisted of three automobiles and fi ve Harley-Davidson®


VL motorcycles and


expanded to eight motorcycles by the late 1930s. Captain Roger P. Gegere, the oldest living retired member


of the Green Bay Police Department, served on the motorcycle unit from 1949 to 1982. According to Gegere, the motorcycle unit offi cers were committed to riding motorcycles and three wheelers every day of the year during all shifts and weather conditions. Gegere said the motorcycle unit was open to any patrol offi cer in the department with or without riding experi- ence. Gegere was responsible for teaching offi cers how to ride and preparing them for motorcycle patrol duties. By the early 1960s the department’s motor unit had grown to 11 FLH models. Detective and Lead Motorcycle Operations Instructor


Dean Danelski began motorcycle patrol with the department in 1992. As a motorcycle unit offi cer, Danelski recognized the need for motorcycle operator safety changes. Danelski requested and was granted an opportunity to attend a motorcycle instructor certifi cation course developed by the Northwestern University Traffi c Institute (NUTI). He is


recognized as the fi rst certifi ed motorcycle unit instructor for the Green Bay Police Department. Detective Danelski implemented significant changes


to the motorcycle operations unit including standardized motorcycle certification training, safe and adept officer operations skills riding, and yearly recertifi cation standards. He is also recognized for designing the unique colors and features on the Green Bay Police motorcycles and reorienting the motorcycle unit as an essential function of police patrol operations in the City of Green Bay community. Today, the Green Bay Police Department’s motorcycle


patrol officers must successfully complete an eight-day police motorcycle certifi cation course. The skills development course designed by NUTI is taught by Detective Danelski & Offi cer Jerry Young. The motorcycle certifi cation class is a challenging police training course that tests offi cer motor- cycle riding skill levels both mentally and physically. The class is not a pass-fail course, but is graded on a series of practical operations skills and a written examination. Since the inception of this training program, the Green Bay Police Department’s motorcycle unit has not reported any major or serious motorcycle patrol operations incidents or injuries. The Green Bay Police Department motorcycle unit


provides the Green Bay community with many unique services, such as standardized patrol operations for service calls, directed patrol duties, criminal deterrence via police presence and traffi c enforcement. The motorcycle unit also serves as a community service tool by assisting with special events by request, including parades, funerals, marathons, dignitary protection and Green Bay Packer football team escorts. The motorcycle unit is proactively used in community police oriented events such as being present for demonstra- tions, crowd control, festivals and special demonstrations designated by the mayor. The Green Bay Police Department motorcycle unit currently


consists of 13 certifi ed motorcycle operation offi cers, and four motorcycle units. The current motorcycles in service with the department are two 2011 and two 2012 Harley-Davidson® FLHTP Electra Glide®


motorcycles, which are equipped with


Panasonic computers, printers & 4G data links, along with 700-Mhz voice radios and radar.


SPRING 2013 | THE MOTOR OFFICER™ 21


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