Crime & Safety

Cranston PD to Kickstart Motorcycle Unit

The last time Cranston had a motorcycle unit was in the 1980s.

Cranston officers will soon be getting to accident and crime scenes a little quicker on motorcycles, thanks to a legislative grant from Speaker of the House Nicholas Mattiello.

The $15,000 grant, which will be formally announced at a ceremony at the Cranston police station on Monday, comes after Officer Peter-John LeClerk of the department's traffic bureau applied for the grant to train and equip officefs with a pair of Harley Davidson Police Electra Glide bikes.

It will be the first time Cranston officers cruised the streets on motorcycles  since the 1980s. Police will use them to respond to crimes, traffic control and in parades and funerals.

Police like motorcycles because they can get to scenes quickly, in locations inaccessible to police cars and "provide a more powerful alternative to traditional traffic enforcement," according to a release.

"I am confident that with the acquisition of motorcycles and the establishment a Motorcycle Unit within the Cranston Police Department, the officers of our fine Traffic Bureau will effectively increase traffic enforcement and provide an impressive service to the Citizens of Cranston, which they will be proud of," said Acting Police Chief Kevin M. Barry.

The unit will be funded entirely through grants, which means taxpayers will not foot the bill for the unit or its bikes.

Police said they are thankful for Mattiello's efforts and support in awarding the grant.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.