summer vacation getting beat up by BMW F800GS’s in an
attempt to qualify for a motor unit position.
Sergeant Ronald Alberca, Motor Lieutenant Manny
Romeral and Motor Officer Hector Carbajal coordinat-
ed times when I could immerse myself for a day in the
life of these motorcycle cops. There are 297 authorized
motor positions within the LAPD and believe me, these
riders are skilled and stealthy in nabbing violators.
Knowing that the two most dangerous scenarios for
police officers are domestic abuse and traffic violations,
signing up for this job is meant for just a handful of high-
ly trained personnel. Of the twelve officers that trained,
six graduated.
When I asked several of the officers why they wanted
to be part of the motorcycle unit the resounding re-
sponse was, “Because it’s fun!”.
As a motorcyclist myself, I completely understood. I
realised how some of them are able to endure, how they
might have a glimmer of hope, how they can truly touch
a person’s life in a positive manner while shaking off
the long hours of deafening boredom, alongside acute
diligence.
The upshot of classic job burnout was found by in-
volving the crème de la crème of motorcycle officers
with a dedicated Los Angeles parole officer, community
volunteers then mashed with a bunch of bright, respect-
TRAVERSE 62