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 Since the earliest days of American motorcycling, police and other law enforcement departments have been using motorcycles to protect and serve. In 1908 the very first police motocycle was delivered to the Detroit Police department, and shortly after Leo Larkin became the first full-time motorcycle police officer with the purchase of a 1908 belt-driven Harley by the police department in Evanston, IL. It was no surprise that, over the next quarter of a century, departments would quickly turn to motorcycles, as officers recognized the tactical advantages of theses much more manueverable means of transportation and their reputation for reliability over auto manufacturers of the day.
This September 26th, we'll be opening a new exhibit at the museum called Motorcops -- and its going to be a good one. The exhibit will highlight the 100 year love affair between police and the motorcycle, starting from the earliest days of two-wheeled patrol. The exhibit will be right in the main gallery, and is going to run for about sixty days.
We've already got a head start in building the exhibit, and have compiled a huge amount of original photos, memorabilia, and first-hand stories from past and present motorcycle officers. One of my favorite pieces is an original work of art that was used on the cover of the April 1924 issue of American Magazine. The piece is called "Scattergood Sets a Speed Trap" and is possibly the earliest drawing or painting representing a motorcycle police officer known.
 Another highlight of the exhibit, which is a new addition to the museum, is our new 1954 50th Anniversary Harley-Davidson Police Servicar. The bike was restored by my good friend Hagel Cambell. He spent about 30 years collecting all of the hard-to-find, oddball police accessories, from the crashguard mounted billy-club and flashlight, to the police radio, to a brand new police winter windshield. I discovered the bike at the Antique Motorcycle Club of America National meet at Wauseon, Ohio and new immediately it would be a great addition to our upcoming exhibit.
Also featured in the exhibit will be a 100% original 1957 H-D Police Panhead I found in Iowa 30 years ago, a 1942 Harley-Davidson Civil Patrol Knucklehead (a soon to be finished project from the Wheels Through Time restoration shop) and, another of my favorites -- a genuine 1937 Harley-Davidson California Highway Patrol machine.
Everyone at the museum is really excited about this exhibit. We'll be compiling a lot more material over the next month and a half, and have been encouraging anyone who is, or has been involved in motorcycle patrol to share their pictures and stories. So if you have anything that you'd like to contribute, give me call or send me an email. We'll be accepting material throughout the run of the exhibit, so its never too late. We would be honored to share your stories, and pay tribute to the men, women, friends, and family that have dedicated their lives to protect and serve.
Talk to you soon...
-Dale
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