Officers Hardin, Hudson, Lain, and Whiteley took home seven trophies at the Spring Classic Motorcycle Training and Skills Competition hosted by Grand Prairie Police. The event raises money for Special Olympics.
Hardin & Hudson placed 2nd in the tethered Partner Ride; Hardin placed 3rd for speed in the Division II: Expert; and, all four officers trophied 3rd for Overall Team.
Time and precision are critical in all of the competitions. Knocking down one cone will cost riders a two-second penalty; touching a cone is a one-second penalty; putting your foot down is another four-second penalty. Due to the audience (civilian spectators, vendors, charities, and other officers), as well as the fact that everything is a timed event, the competition environment instills a level of stress that cannot be duplicated in a normal training setting. Competitions increase the Officer’s aptitude to safely perform his or her job in emergency riding situations. The Officer’s body does not distinguish between the adrenaline released during the competition and that released during an emergency riding incident. The goal is to build the skills and confidence of riders while experiencing the effects of these hormones.
Congratulations to our officers for their success in the competition, and for helping earn money for a very worthy cause.