CORPUS CHRISTI (Kiii News) -
Corpus Christi Police Department officers that are part of the bike division kept busy on the Labor Day holiday, after the police chief ordered them to get eight hours of training or park their bikes.
The police officers love to ride their bikes, but they won't be able to stay on them and in uniform if they don't pass an 80-hour course.
"We will be doing this eight hours a day, for the next five days, and it's an 80-hour course, so it's going to be two weeks," CCPD Instructor Tommy Cabello said. "Today was the first day of class, September 3. On the 14th, they'll be given a riding examination, and they'll be given two chances to take the final test, and if they fail to pass they'll be off of motors."
It isn't an easy course. Even veteran bike cops can't always navigate through the cones.
CCPD Officer Robert Cunningham was going through the training. He is not one of the department's eight motorcycle officers, but he does ride them during special events and for funerals.
Out at the training, which took place at the Whataburger Field parking lot, Cunningham and his Honda Gold Wing were being put to the test, and it was not looking good. The cones were taking a beating.
"I'll just keep trying to work on it until I can get it," Cunningham said.
"It's nothing what it looks to be," Cunningham said. "You get in there, it's just a matter of trying to keep your balance and keep control of your bike."
Cabello gave Cunningham a few tips. The advice worked because Cunningham was soon able to move his bike in and out of the obstacle course without a problem.
It was training that will help to ensure the officers have full control of their bikes, knowing exactly what they can and can't do. As Cabello pointed out, an accident on a bike going just 10-miles per hour can result in the death of the officer.
