What is blue and white and weighs about 800 pounds?

The Harley Davidson Road King motorcycle that the Darien Police Department recently added to its patrol fleet. It is the first time the department has had a motorcycle since the 1930s.

“We — myself, Captain Komm and Chief Lovello — discussed the advantages of having a motorcycle,” Captain Gary Pavia said. “We figured if we’re going to have a traffic division the motorcycle was probably one of the best tools we could use.”

Officer T. Courtney Isaac will make the most of this “tool,” which he will ride as he deals with speeders and other traffic violators, particularly in areas that have been deemed problematic based on patterns and citizen complaints, in an effort to make the roads safer.

“When out there, Court will not be responsible for routine calls,” Pavia said. “He will only be responsible for traffic enforcement.”

He and officer James Martin both had to take a two week and two day course, established through a Michigan university and Harley Davidson at the Fairfield Police Department, to learn how to handle the motorcycle. For eight hours a day, they practiced everything from traveling at a slow speed and maneuvering to brake patterns and obstacle avoidance, to picking up the bike if it drops, and where to focus their eyes when turning.

Isaac, who took the course last August, passed with a 99 — the highest in his class of three. He lost the one point after he knocked over a cone while trying to get the motorcycle, which has a turn ratio of 18 feet, through a circle that was 19 feet in diameter.

“I was nervous on test day,” Isaac, 41, said. “It’s a lot of pressure. I didn’t want to come back to the department with my tail between my legs and say I didn’t pass.”

The fact that Isaac has been riding his own Harley for 15 years  was little consolation. Not only did he have to adjust to two Kawasakis during the class as well as the department’s bike, but Isaac said riding for the department is much different from driving for personal enjoyment. That latter reason is why many officers with motorcycle licenses — a requirement for the course — opt not to drive for the department.

“The big thing I noticed is that if I’m driving around by myself, off-duty, I’m watching the intersections, obeying the lights and driving slowly,” he said. “When I’m driving for the police department, I have to be a little more aggressive. I have to pull out into traffic to stop cars and get into situations I’d otherwise not do — preferably safely.”

Since he began using the motorcycle a few weeks ago, Isaac, a nine-year veteran of the Darien force, said he has made 30 stops. Being able to dedicate himself solely to traffic issues in addition to the motorcycle’s compact size and maneuverability has allowed Isaac to easily catch traffic violators.

“The patrol cars have to park parallel to the street to get radar while I can park the bike off the road and get off,” he said. “I prefer stepping into the road and pulling people over.”

He also prefers the motorcycle over the patrol car.

“I’ve always liked riding, so this is good for me,” Isaac said. “I like the freedom. I like that it’s more approachable. There’s no steel walls and windows.”

The motorcycle’s “openness” makes for good public relations. He said more people are willing to approach him, talk to him and tell him their concerns. This, in turn, helps him identify the trouble spots around town.

“People have this idea that the police are stand-offish,” Isaac said. “This lets them know that we’re human, just like them.”

Isaac has been able to show off this more “human” side at the YWCA’s Push-n-Pull Parade, the Darien carnival, the Barnum Festival and a summer camp. The motorcycle is also available for escorts.

“We feel (the motorcycle) is going to be a big advantage for the town and the police department,” said Pavia, whose first and only choice was the Harley, which is used by most police departments and is American-made — a major deciding factor.

Added Isaac, “Harleys are very well-built and are very sturdy. You tend to get a lot of plastic in Japanese bikes.”

The better quality is not putting a dent in the town’s pocket. In fact, the Darien police are leasing the motorcycle from Bridgeport Harley Davidson for $200 a month — much less than buying one for $22,000, Pavia said. Gas-wise, it gets roughly 35 to 46 miles per gallon.

“A majority of departments lease,” Pavia said. “This way every two years, you turn the bike in and get another one. So you’re always covered by warranty and have updated equipment, which reduces maintenance costs.”

However, each new motorcycle has to have the lights, a siren and a special two-way radio installed on the handlebar. The officer has to be outfitted with special pants, boots, leather gloves and a helmet with a microphone inside so he can hear incoming calls. It took nearly three months just to order the modified motorcycle and the gear — that was after waiting for the town’s approval of the new addition.

“It was brutal because we didn’t even know if getting the bike was going to happen,” Isaac said. “I was sent to the class with the hope it might happen. The other guys in the class went on to ride motorcycles and I went back to the patrol car. It was a tough wait. It took a lot of patience.”

His patience paid off. Although he “cooks” under the hot sun when stopped and was a “little nervous” the first week out on the road, Isaac said he is enjoying policing Darien’s streets on a motorcycle.

“I like it so far,” he said. “It gives me a lot of different opportunities. Right now, it’s all new. It’s all trial and error to see what works best.”

© Copyright 2006 by Hersam Acorn newspapers