Video: Tupelo’s Two-Wheel Patrol Gets an Upgrade

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) -Two new bikes are on the road as part of the Tupelo Police Department’s Motorcycle Unit.

The city recently acquired two new 2015 Harley Davidson Electra Glides. The department was able to save taxpayers money by trading in two Road Kings, for one of the new bikes and purchasing the second for 16 thousand dollars.

Officers say the new bikes are easier to maneuver and they also have a full fairing, which offers more protection for the hands, as opposed to only a windshield.

The new bikes will help officers carry out a variety of duties.

“Well, basically we are the ambassadors of the police department, we handle all the escorts, any runs in town, any dignitaries we are going to be there to handle that escort. It’s important to replace these as often as we can because, unlike four wheels we only have two, so we only have half the traction a vehicle would and it’s very easy for us to have a wreck if we are not maintained as well as we can be.”

There are three older motorcycles still in use by Tupelo Police Department. Those will be replaced when necessary.