Simi Valley adds more motorcycle officers to ranks

Officer Eric Bowman is no longer a lone ranger.

Simi Valley’s only motorcycle officer was training a second motorcycle officer, Brett Suliga, last week after the City Council’s 5-0 vote to re-establish its full motorcycle police unit with the addition of three BMW motorcycles and officers.

It will be the first time since 2021 that the Simi Valley Police Department has had more than one motorcycle officer.

The total will increase to four officers and four motorcycles with the council’s approval Monday of a one-time $139,500 appropriation, which also includes gear, uniforms and several weeks of training.

The officers will be recruited from other divisions in the police department, Assistant City Manager Samantha Argabrite said.

Police Chief Steve Shorts told council members that the department expects to fully staff the motorcycle unit within a year and noted it won’t mean adding positions to the budget to replace the transferred officers. He said the department is allotted 123 officers and currently has 118.

“We have more than enough people interested in being in the unit,” Shorts said.

Bowman said he welcomes the help.

“I’ve tried to make myself present everywhere,” he said. “It’s difficult to do it by yourself.”

Bowman said the unit will gradually grow as he trains one officer at a time.

Sgt. Josh McAlister told the City Council that motorcycle cops can maneuver through traffic better and spot and pull over violators more easily than officers in cars.

“You can make your turns better,” Bowman said.

McAlister said officers on motorcycles serve as a visual deterrent and can lead drivers to safer behavior.

“Everybody is going to slow down,” the sergeant said.

The police chief agreed motorcycles are a deterrent.

“The bottom line about why the motorcycles are out there is to provide high visibility, to try to condition them (motorists) to drive safely,” Shorts said.

Council members agreed with the need for traffic safety.

“The end goal, when all is said and done, is fewer accidents,” Mayor Fred Thomas said.

McAlister also noted that history shows more officers means more citations.

In 2015, the police department’s traffic bureau had five motorcycle officers, who issued 3,092 citations, he said. Three officers in 2021 issued 1,194 citations, and in 2022, the sole motorcycle officer issued 568 citations, McAlister said.

He added that besides catching speeding motorists, the motorcycle officers pull over people running red lights or making unsafe turns at intersections. McAlister said they also help with DUI enforcement and collision investigation.

McAlister also noted it can take five to six months for a motorcycle to arrive after the city orders one.

Argabrite said the city hasn’t determined whether the police department can order all the motorcycles at one time.

“Staff is determining if we will be able to use an existing agreement to purchase the new bikes or if we will need to go out to bid,” she said.

Argabrite added that the city is spending money on training to ensure safety.

“Riding a motorcycle is a dangerous position,” Argabrite said. “The folks on motorcycles don’t have the same protection as a car. We want to ensure they’re trained and familiar with safety procedures, not only for their own protection but the protection of motorists on the road.”

In 2016, Simi Valley motorcycle officer Tom Carney was hit by a pickup as he rode his motorcycle south on Tapo Canyon Road at the Los Angeles Avenue intersection. Carney was thrown from the motorcycle and suffered head injuries, fractures and internal injuries.

Argabrite declined to comment on the city's costs related to Carney’s crash. The Star has filed a public records request.

Dave Mason covers East County for the Ventura County Star. He can be reached at dave.mason@vcstar.com or 805-437-0232.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Simi Valley adds more motorcycle officers to ranks