>> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.

[CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] [MARCHING BAND MUSIC PLAYING] >> YOU KNOW, IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE ALWAYS HAD THIS FASCINATION WITH MOTORCYCLES, BOTH FOR RECREATIONAL USES AND FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

LOOKING AT THIS OLD MOVIE FEATURING VICTOR McLAGLEN'S MOTOR CORPS, I DOUBT ANY REAL ON-DUTY POLICE OFFICERS EVER RODE THEIR MOTORCYCLES STANDING UP, 3 AT A TIME ON ONE BIKE, OR 4 AT A TIME ON ONE BIKE, OR BACK TO 3 AT A TIME ON ONE BIKE, ARMS OUTSTRETCHED LIKE THEY'RE FLYING.

AND LOOK AT THIS OLD FOOTAGE--OBVIOUSLY A PUT-ON--OF POLICE MOTORCYCLES APPROACHING A SPEEDER AND BUSTING HIM BY ACTUALLY GETTING INTO THE SPEEDING CAR FROM THE MOTORCYCLE.

HOLLYWOOD'S ALWAYS BEEN CAPTIVATED BY COPS ON BIKES, LIKE THIS OLD MOVIE ENTITLED "CODE 2" THAT FEATURED SOME ACTORS AND SOME REAL LAPD MOTOR OFFICERS GOING THROUGH THEIR PACES--THEIR PACES OF BECOMING QUALIFIED ON THEIR BIKES, GOING THROUGH THEIR TRAINING, AND THEN, HITTING THE STREETS.

BUT YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DEPEND ON OLD MOVIES TO APPRECIATE THE GOOD WORK BEING DONE EVERY DAY BY LAPD MOTORS.

AND THAT'S WHAT THIS ADVENTURE IS ALL ABOUT AS WE ATTEND A VERY SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.

BOY, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT THIS IS-- THE EARLY MORNING SUN UP AGAINST THE LOS ANGELES MEMORIAL COLISEUM.

IT'S THE BEGINNING OF A BEAUTIFUL DAY, A VERY HISTORIC DAY, AND A DAY THAT PROMISES TO BE ABSOLUTELY FILLED WITH ENERGY.

AND WHEN I SAY ENERGY, LOOK AT THIS--IT DOESN'T GET ANY MORE ENERGETIC THAN THIS.

LOOK AT ALL OF THIS OUT HERE THIS MORNING.

AND IT'S NOT EVEN BARELY 7:00.

PHIL, YOU'RE AN LAPD MOTOR OFFICER, AND YOU'RE HERE TO TELL US WHAT ALL THIS ENERGY AND WHAT ALL THIS HISTORY IS ABOUT AND WHY ALL OF THESE POLICE OFFICERS--LOOK OVER HERE, CAMERON--WHY ALL THESE POLICE OFFICERS ARE SMILING AND HAPPY AND HAVING SO MUCH FUN THIS EARLY IN THE MORNING.

>> WELL, HUELL, IT'S A GREAT DAY FOR THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES.

IT'S THE 100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF LAPD MOTORS, AND THIS IS CONSIDERED A FREEBIE DAY FOR THESE MOTOR OFFICERS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO OUT AND WRITE TICKETS TODAY... [LAUGHS] >> THEY DON'T HAVE TO ARREST DRUNK DRIVERS.

THEY'RE BASICALLY HERE DRESSED IN THEIR CLASS "A" UNIFORMS LOOKING ALL SHARP, MOTORS ALL LINED UP FOR A PICTURE TO BE TAKEN OF ALL THE MOTORS IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, OVER 300 OF THEM.

>> NOW, THEY'RE CALLED MOTORS.

THEY'RE NOT CALLED MOTORCYCLES.

THE UNITS ARE CALLED MOTOR UNITS.

>> YES, SIR.

THEY'RE CALLED MOTOR UNITS.

>> AND THEY'RE CELEBRATING THEIR 100th ANNIVERSARY, WHICH MEANS THAT THEY DIDN'T ALWAYS LOOK QUITE LIKE THIS, DID THEY?

IN FACT, I'VE SEEN SOME OF THE OLD PICTURES.

IT WAS PRETTY ELEMENTARY WHEN THEY STARTED BACK IN 1909.

>> YES, IT WAS.

THE ONLY THING IN COMMON IS THEY HAD 2 WHEELS AND AN ENGINE.

THE DIFFERENCES NOW IS WE HAVE ABS BREAKS ON THE BIKES, WE'VE GOT NEW BMWs IN THE MIX NOW, SO THEY'VE GOT TRACTION CONTROL, THEY'VE GOT SHAFT DRIVE-- >> STATE-OF-THE-ART.

>> ADJUSTABLE WINDSHIELD.

UNBELIEVABLE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT 1909, THOUGH, BECAUSE I'VE SEEN SOME OF THOSE EARLY PICTURES.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THEM EARLIER.

>> YES.

>> AND I COMMENTED THAT THE GUYS RIDING THE BIKES WEREN'T EVEN WEARING POLICE UNIFORMS BACK THEN, BUT THEY WERE POLICEMEN.

>> YES.

THEY WERE THE FIRST MOTOR OFFICERS FOR THE CITY.

AND THEY HAD MOTOR BOOTS ON.

THEY HAD, LIKE, GAITERS ON THAT WENT OVER REGULAR BOOTS.

AND THEY HAD BRITCHES--THESE ARE CONSIDERED BRITCHES THAT WE WEAR.

BUT THEY HAD, LIKE, REGULAR POLICE UNIFORMS, AND THEY WERE ON A MOTORCYCLE.

AND BACK THEN, IT WAS JUST A BADGE ON THEIR UNIFORM, AND THAT'S HOW THEY WOULD STOP PEOPLE.

>> IT WASN'T EVEN, REALLY, HARDLY A UNIFORM.

IT ALMOST JUST LOOKED LIKE A SUIT OF CIVILIAN CLOTHES.

>> YES, EXACTLY.

IT LOOKED A LOT LIKE--WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE OLD PICTURES, IT'S HARD TO DISTINGUISH SOMETIMES BETWEEN A CIVILIAN RIDER AND A POLICE OFFICER, AT THE TIME.

>> AND HOW CUTTING EDGE.

LET'S WALK RIGHT DOWN HERE AND GET UP CLOSER TO THESE THINGS.

WE'RE GOING TO BE AROUND THEM ALL DAY TODAY.

THIS IS NOTHING TO THE ENERGY WE'RE GOING TO HEAR WHEN THEY ALL GET CRANKED UP.

BUT HOW BIG A DEAL--HOW CUTTING-EDGE WAS IT WHEN YOU GOT YOUR FIRST MOTORBIKES BACK IN 1909?

>> WELL, I WASN'T THERE, ALTHOUGH I LOOK LIKE I WAS THERE.

HOWEVER, I'M SURE THEY WERE JUST AS EXCITED TO GET THAT MOTORCYCLE BECAUSE YOU HAD THE MOBILITY ON A MOTORCYCLE VERY SIMILAR TO THE IRON HORSE, JUST LIKE BEING ON HORSEBACK, IN ITS DAY, TO BE ABLE TO GET TO LOCATIONS.

THE MOTORCYCLE COULD GET ALL OVER THE CITY NO MATTER THE CONDITION OF THE ROADS, TRAFFIC.

>> ROADS WEREN'T THAT GREAT BACK THEN.

>> NO.

THEY WERE NOT IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AT THAT TIME.

THEY HAVE IMPROVED QUITE A BIT.

THE MOTORCYCLES HAVE IMPROVED QUITE A BIT.

BUT IT'S STILL THE SAME--2 WHEELS, AN ENGINE, AND A MOTOR OFFICER ON THE BIKE.

AND IF YOU FALL OFF, IT HURTS, SO THAT PART HASN'T CHANGED.

>> WAS IT ALWAYS KIND OF AN ELITE UNIT FROM THOSE VERY EARLY DAYS?

>> OH, DEFINITELY.

CURRENTLY, WE'VE GOT ROUGHLY 10,000 OFFICERS ON THE CITY, AND THERE'S ONLY 300 MOTOR OFFICERS AND SERGEANTS.

>> WAIT A MINUTE.

OUT OF 10,000 LAPD MEMBERS, ONLY 300 OF THEM ARE MOTORS?

>> YES, THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SO IT'S STILL A BIG DEAL.

THIS IS KIND OF THE ELITE.

>> IT IS.

IT'S A UNIQUE JOB, IS WHAT WE CONSIDER IT, BECAUSE YOU'RE OUT IN THE ENVIRONMENT ALL DAY LONG.

YOU'RE DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC IN NEGATIVE CONTACTS AND TRYING TO TURN THEM INTO A POSITIVE CONTACT.

YOU'RE ENDING UP AT TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS.

AND THAT'S THE WORST TIME IN PEOPLE'S LIVES.

DEATH NOTIFICATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO, BUT IT'S A JOB THAT SOMEBODY HAS TO DO, AND WE DECIDED TO DO THAT.

>> AND BOY, WHEN YOU'RE ON MOTORS, YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A LOT OF INTERPERSONAL SKILLS, TOO, DON'T YOU?

YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE.

>> YES.

YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER-- SELL THE TICKET.

WHAT YOU'RE DOING IS TRYING TO CORRECT THEIR DRIVING HABITS TO PREVENT THE ACCIDENT.

THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT OUR GOAL IS TO DO OUT THERE, BECAUSE ACCIDENTS ARE NOT POSITIVE FOR ANYBODY.

THEY CAUSE DAMAGE AND DEATH AND INJURY.

AND WE'RE OUT THERE.

WE'RE MOBILE.

WE'RE ABLE TO GET THROUGH TRAFFIC AND GET TO THE VIOLATOR, MAKE THE TRAFFIC STOP.

ALSO, DRUNK DRIVERS.

THAT'S A BIG THING IS TO STOP DRUNK DRIVERS BEFORE THEY CRASH.

>> PLUS, COME ON, TELL ME.

IT'S GOT TO BE KIND OF FUN, TOO.

I MEAN, I DON'T MEAN FUN LIKE YOU'RE ON A HOLIDAY OR ANYTHING, BUT YOU'RE OUT.

THIS IS-- YOU'RE OUT IN THE OPEN.

YOU'VE GOT THE MOBILITY.

YOU'RE ON A MOTORCYCLE.

>> FOR MYSELF, MY HOBBY HAS ALWAYS BEEN MOTORCYCLES, AND NOW, I GET PAID TO RIDE MOTORCYCLES.

SO THIS IS THE BEST JOB I COULD EVER HAVE, TO BE ABLE TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE.

I'M ALSO ONE OF THE INSTRUCTORS OF MOTOR SCHOOL, SO WE GET TO TEACH STUDENTS.

YOU WERE OUT SEVERAL YEARS AGO AT OUR SCHOOL, AND SOME OF THAT HASN'T CHANGED.

AND THE SCHOOL STILL GOES ON, AND IT'S STILL A VERY DIFFICULT SCHOOL.

AND WHEN THEY COMPLETE IT, IT'S A VERY PROUD MOMENT IN THESE OFFICERS' LIVES.

>> WELL, IT'S A PROUD MOMENT.

IT'S A PROUD TRADITION THAT IS CELEBRATING ITS 100th ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR HERE IN LOS ANGELES.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE TODAY.

WE'RE GOING TO BE HERE ALL DAY WITH YOU AND THE OTHER 300-- 'CAUSE EVERYBODY'S HERE, ALL 300.

WE'RE GOING TO BE SPENDING THE DAY WITH LAPD MOTORS AND HELPING THEM CELEBRATE THEIR 100th PROUD ANNIVERSARY.

I'M NOT SURE HOW THIS WORKS.

DO THE SAME GUYS--DO YOU RIDE BY YOURSELF, OR DO YOU GO OUT 2 OR 3 AT A TIME?

DO YOU RIDE TOGETHER?

HOW DOES THAT WORK?

>> YOU MEAN, NORMALLY WHEN WE'RE OUT WORKING IN THE STREETS?

>> YEAH.

>> OK.

IF GUYS ARE WORKING DAY SHIFT, MOST TIMES, IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL DUTY.

WHEN WE'RE WORKING P.M.

SHIFT, BEING ONCE THE SUN GOES DOWN, THEN WE'LL USUALLY PAIR UP WITH A PARTNER.

>> UH-HUH.

AND YOU GO OUT TOGETHER ON THESE BIKES.

>> GO OUT TOGETHER, RIDE 2 BIKES.

YES, SIR.

>> NOW, HOW BIG A DEAL IS IT TO YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FRIENDS AND YOUR NEIGHBORS THAT YOU'RE PART OF THE MOTORS, LAPD MOTORS?

>> IT'S A PRETTY BIG DEAL.

MOST OF US--ALL OF US, ACTUALLY-- A LOT OF US ARE PRETTY HAPPY WITH WHAT WE DO.

SO IF WE'RE HAPPY, THEN OUR FAMILIES ARE HAPPY.

>> [LAUGHS] AND YOU'RE HAPPY.

>> VERY MUCH SO.

YES, SIR.

>> AND WHY ARE YOU HAPPY?

>> I'M HAPPY BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I CAME ON THIS JOB TO DO, IS TO BE A MOTOR OFFICER.

AND I'M MORE THAN PROUD TO BE HERE TODAY.

>> I'VE BEEN ON 33 YEARS.

I'VE BEEN ON MOTORS 18.

>> REALLY?

THAT'S A LONG TIME.

>> THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE SAYING.

>> IT KIND OF BEATS YOU UP, DOESN'T IT, RIDING AROUND?

>> IT DOES OVER TIME.

IT AFFECTS YOUR BACK AND YOUR NECK WEARING A 3-POUND HELMET ALL DAY.

>> YEAH.

>> IT WEARS ON YOU AFTER A WHILE.

>> YEAH.

WELL, YOU'RE STILL... >> I'M STILL STANDING.

[BOTH LAUGH] >> THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS.

>> OK.

I HAVE FOUND THE GUY RIGHT HERE, FELLAS.

>> THAT WOULD BE ME.

>> ACTUALLY, YOU CAME OVER AND INTRODUCED YOURSELF TO ME, DIDN'T YOU?

>> I COULDN'T HELP NOTICING YOUR SHIRT WASN'T WRINKLED.

>> YEAH!

ALL RIGHT.

HERE'S THE STORY, BECAUSE HERE'S THE GUY WHO GAVE ME A TICKET-- AND YOU REMEMBER THAT, DON'T YOU?

>> YES, I DO.

>> AND WHY DO YOU REMEMBER IT?

>> 'CAUSE YOU DIDN'T WANT YOUR SHIRT WRINKLED.

>> THAT WAS THE EXCUSE I GAVE YOU.

>> THAT WAS IT.

>> THAT I WASN'T WEARING MY SEAT BELT BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO WRINKLE MY TOMMY BAHAMA SHIRT.

[LAUGHTER] >> THAT IS CORRECT!

>> YOU ALL HAVE HEARD THE EXCUSES.

HAVE YOU EVER HEARD AN EXCUSE LIKE THAT BEFORE?

>> IT'S ORIGINAL.

IT'S GOOD.

>> I BET YOU HEAR A LOT OF EXCUSES, DON'T YOU?

>> A LOT OF THEM.

A LOT OF THEM.

>> NEVER A WRINKLED SHIRT.

>> THIS ONE... >> TOOK THE CAKE.

>> TOOK THE CAKE.

IN FACT, I THINK YOU TOLD ME THAT YOU HAD HEARD A LOT OF EXCUSES, BUT YOU'D NEVER HEARD ONE LIKE THIS BEFORE.

>> NEVER HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE EVER.

>> BUT I MUST COMPLIMENT YOU.

THE WHOLE TIME YOU WERE WRITING THE TICKET, YOU WERE COURTEOUS, YOU WERE KIND, YOU WERE SMILING.

>> ME.

>> THIS GUY?

>> YEAH!

AND HE'S STILL SMILING.

>> I'M ALWAYS SMILING.

THIS IS A GREAT JOB.

>> YEAH.

CAN YOU REMEMBER WHERE THE TICKET--WHERE YOU GAVE IT TO ME?

>> I WANT TO SAY SOMEPLACE-- MELROSE, MAYBE ST. ANDREW'S?

>> I WAS HEADING TO WORK AT KCET.

>> THAT'S WHAT YOU TOLD ME.

>> I WAS GOING TO BE ON CAMERA ALL DAY, AND I DIDN'T WANT A WRINKLED SHIRT.

>> AND IT'S STILL NOT WRINKLED.

>> SO, YOU HEARD MY STORY OVER THERE ABOUT THE EXCUSE I GAVE.

MOTOR OFFICERS ARE USED TO HEARING VERY CREATIVE AND VERY INTERESTING STORIES, AREN'T YOU?

>> OH, DEFINITELY.

WE'VE PROBABLY HEARD IT ALL.

YEAH.

EVERYTHING FROM "I NEED TO USE THE RESTROOM" TO "I'M IN AN EMERGENCY.

I HAVE TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL."

>> YEAH.

>> "I JUST GOT A PHONE CALL."

I HAD ONE LADY ONE TIME TELL ME THAT SHE WAS LATE FOR HER HUSBAND'S FUNERAL.

>> BUT YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT TO BE COURTEOUS, KIND.

>> DEFINITELY.

YEAH.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO LEARN HOW TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE.

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

YEAH.

I'VE BEEN A MOTOR ABOUT 8 YEARS, BEEN ON THE DEPARTMENT ABOUT 14 YEARS, AND I'VE NEVER HAD A COMPLAINT, BECAUSE I ALWAYS BELIEVE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT.

>> DO YOU TAKE YOUR MOTORCYCLE HOME WITH YOU AT NIGHT?

>> WE SURE DO.

WE SURE DO.

WE'RE THE FIRST RESPONDERS IN CASE OF A DISASTER, IN CASE OF ANY EMERGENCY IN THE CITY.

>> SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE IT THERE WITH YOU AT HOME.

>> YES.

>> DO YOU PARK IT OUT FRONT?

>> NO.

THEY HAVE TO BE GARAGED.

THEY HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE SECURE.

>> BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE A GOOD SECURITY SYSTEM--SOMEBODY SEES SOMETHING LIKE THIS PARKED OUT IN THE DRIVEWAY, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO FOOL AROUND WITH YOUR HOUSE.

>> OH, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THEY WOULD.

WE DON'T KNOW.

BUT THE SECURITY OF IT IS FOR THE CITY, THE COMMUNITY THAT WE SERVE, THE CITY OF L.A.

THE SECURITY AT HOME, YOU KNOW-- WE ALL SHOULD FEEL SECURE IN OUR OWN HOMES, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

BUT I DON'T THINK THIS WOULD BE A DETERRENT TO SOMEBODY THAT REALLY WANTS TO GET IN YOUR HOME, BUT... >> HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THIS BIKE?

>> I'VE HAD THIS ONE 4 YEARS.

>> DO YOU FEEL AN ATTACHMENT TOWARD IT?

>> I SURE DO.

IT'S A PRIVILEGE HAVING THIS BIKE.

THAT'S WHY IT'S AS CLEAN AS IT IS.

YOU KNOW, I TRY TO KEEP IT CLEAN AS MUCH AS I CAN ON MY OWN TIME.

IT JUST--THE PROCEDURE BEING AN LAPD COP.

>> PART OF THE STORY, PART OF THE TRADITION, OF LAPD MOTORS IS THE FAMILY CONNECTION, THE FAMILY TRADITION.

AND HERE TO TELL US--SHARE HIS FAMILY'S STORY WITH US--IS OFFICER BRYCE VERNA.

>> YES, SIR.

>> AND BRYCE, YOU AND YOUR BROTHER ARE BOTH LAPD MEMBERS, RIGHT?

>> YES, WE ARE.

>> YOU'RE WITH MOTORS.

WHICH UNIT ARE YOU WITH?

>> VALLEY TRAFFIC.

>> OK.

YOUR ACTUAL MOTOR IS SOMEWHERE OUT IN HERE.

>> YEAH.

I'M MINGLED AMONGST A CROWD HERE.

[BOTH LAUGH] >> HAVE YOU EVER BEEN AROUND THIS MANY BEFORE AT ONE TIME?

>> NOT QUITE THIS MANY.

>> DOESN'T HAPPEN VERY OFTEN.

>> VERY RARE.

>> ABOUT ONCE EVERY 100 YEARS.

>> ONCE EVERY 100 YEARS.

>> BUT YOUR FAMILY'S STORY, AND THE REASON YOU ARE WITH LAPD MOTORS, IS A VERY POIGNANT ONE, AND I WONDER IF YOU COULD SHARE THAT WITH ALL OF US RIGHT NOW.

>> MY FATHER WAS A LOS ANGELES POLICE OFFICER AND WAS ACTUALLY AN LAPD MOTOR OFFICER AND WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN 1983.

AND SINCE MY FATHER WAS KILLED, MOTOR OFFICERS HAD ALWAYS BEEN AROUND ME, AND I KNEW IT WAS SOMETHING I WANTED TO BE A PART OF AND A TRADITION THAT I WANTED TO CARRY ON.

AND I'VE DONE IT, SO.

>> NOW, WHEN YOUR DAD WAS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, YOU WERE JUST A LITTLE BOY.

>> YEAH.

I WAS JUST OVER 9 YEARS OLD.

>> SO, IS IT SOMETHING YOU HAD WANTED TO DO EVEN BEFORE THAT, OR IS THIS SOMETHING THAT DEVELOPED BECAUSE OF THE CLOSENESS THAT THE MOTOR OFFICERS, YOU KNOW, WERE WITH YOU AND YOUR BROTHER AFTER YOUR DAD WAS KILLED?

>> YES.

IT'S SOMETHING I'VE BEEN FROM--YOU KNOW, MY FATHER'S FUNERAL ALL THE WAY UP TO NOW.

I STILL REMAIN FRIENDS WITH THE RETIRED MOTOR OFFICERS.

AND IT'S, YOU KNOW, A SPECIAL GROUP OF PEOPLE, SO.

>> WELL, IT IS, ISN'T IT?

IT'S LIKE A BIG FAMILY.

THERE'S A FRATERNITY HERE THAT IS VERY STRONG.

>> WE HAVE A--DEFINITELY, A SPECIAL BOND.

IT'S A VERY DANGEROUS JOB.

IT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS JOBS ON THE DEPARTMENT AMONG S.W.A.T.

AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

BUT WE RIDE MOTORCYCLES, AND ON TOP OF THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO PERFORM LAW ENFORCEMENT DUTIES.

SO IT'S NOT AN EASY TASK, AND WE ALL HAVE THAT IN COMMON.

AND IT'S A DEFINITE SPECIAL BREED.

THERE'S A DIFFERENT PERSONALITY THAT GOES ALONG WITH BEING A MOTOR OFFICER.

>> WELL, YOUR DAD WOULD BE PROUD, WOULDN'T HE?

>> YEAH.

I DEFINITELY THINK SO.

HE LOVED THIS JOB.

AND IT'S AWESOME.

>> WHEN PEOPLE JOIN UP WITH MOTORS, DO THEY STAY WITH MOTORS OVER THE YEARS?

>> A LOT OF OFFICERS STAY WITH MOTORS.

IT'S A VERY DESIRABLE JOB, AND MOST PEOPLE GO TO MOTORS BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THEY REALLY WANT TO DO.

>> SO WHEN YOU GET THERE, YOU STAY THERE.

>> SEE A LOT OF OLDER GUYS STAYING THERE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SPEND THEIR WHOLE CAREER THERE.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH MOTORS?

>> I'VE ONLY BEEN A MOTOR FOR ABOUT 7 YEARS.

>> OH, YOU'VE GOT A WHILE TO GO.

>> I GOT A WHILE TO GO.

>> BUT YOU'RE VERY HISTORIC TODAY.

SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT ON AND WHERE YOU GOT IT.

>> UM.

THIS IS FROM--A LOT OF THE STUFF ON MY UNIFORM IS FROM THE LOS ANGELES POLICE HISTORICAL MUSEUM ON YORK BOULEVARD.

THEY'VE LOANED ME THE SUICIDE STRAP-- >> WAIT A MINUTE.

THIS IS A SUICIDE STRAP.

>> THE REVOLVER, THE WIDOWMAKER HOLSTER... >> MM-HMM.

>> THE BADGE, POLICEMAN BADGE.

>> MM-HMM.

SO THIS IS HISTORIC AS WELL.

>> THIS IS A RETIRED BADGE FROM THE MUSEUM.

>> AND WHAT ABOUT THE--WHAT DO YOU CALL THE TROUSERS, THE-- >> THESE ARE CALLED MOTOR BREECHES.

>> MOTOR BREECHES.

>> RIGHT.

THESE ARE BASICALLY PART OF OUR SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

SAME WITH OUR BOOTS.

THEY'RE SAFETY EQUIPMENT.

>> AND HAVE THE BOOTS STAYED THE SAME OVER THE YEARS, OR ARE THESE HISTORIC?

>> PRETTY MUCH.

THESE ARE NOT-- THESE ARE MY BOOTS.

>> BOY, THAT TAKES A LOT OF SHINING.

DON'T YOU--IS IT STILL IMPORTANT THAT YOUR BOOTS BE SHINY?

>> THEY BETTER BE.

THEY BETTER BE.

>> NOW, SEE?

THERE'S THE LOOK.

THAT'S THE LOOK RIGHT THERE.

>> THE LOOK OF?

>> AN LAPD MOTOR OFFICER.

>> WELL, THERE YOU GO.

THANK YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU.

>> IT'S A DISTINCTIVE LOOK, ISN'T IT?

>> IT IS.

IT IS.

>> IT'S AN UNIQUE LOOK.

IT SEPARATES YOU FROM OUT OF THE PACK.

>> WELL, WE'RE ONLY THE FINEST IN THE UNITED STATES, SIR.

>> IS THERE A LOT OF PRIDE IN THAT?

>> OH, THERE'S A TON OF PRIDE.

TON OF PRIDE.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> IS THE LAPD MOTOR UNIT REALLY THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY?

>> WELL, WITH OUR TRAINING AND OUR PEOPLE, I WOULD SAY YES.

I'D PUT US UP AGAINST JUST ABOUT ANYBODY.

ACTUALLY, IN THE WORLD.

WE DO GET TO VISIT WITH SOME MOTOR OFFICERS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

THEY COME OUT AND OBSERVE OUR TRAINING, AND WE GET TO OBSERVE THEIR TRAINING.

IT'S A GREAT TIME.

>> YOU HAVE THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE LONGEST SERVING MOTOR OFFICER, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, A LITTLE OVER 28 YEARS ON THIS MOTORCYCLE.

AND I'M TIRED.

I'M GLAD TO GET OFF OF IT.

[LAUGHS] >> I TELL THE GUYS THAT WHEN I RETIRE, YOU SEE ME ON 2 WHEELS, IT WILL BE A SCHWINN.

NO MORE MOTORCYCLES FOR ME.

>> YEAH.

BUT IT'S BEEN A GOOD RUN, HASN'T IT?

>> IT REALLY HAS.

I'VE GOTTEN TO WORK WITH SOME GREAT GUYS.

I'VE GOTTEN TO WORK FOR SOME GREAT PEOPLE.

I'VE WORKED ALL OVER THE CITY, EVERY PLACE FROM SAN PEDRO TO CHATSWORTH AND IN BETWEEN.

>> THERE'S A REAL ESPRIT DE CORPS HERE, ISN'T THERE?

>> YEAH, THERE IS.

A MOTOR COP IS A DIFFERENT BREED ALTOGETHER.

THEY LIKE BEING OUT IN THE STREET.

THEY LIKE HELPING PEOPLE.

THEY LIKE NOT BEING BEHIND A DESK.

THEY LIVE TO PUT THAT UNIFORM ON, GET ON THAT HORSE.

AND THEY GO OUT THERE AND ACTUALLY BE ELBOW TO ELBOW WITH THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE.

AND THAT'S WHAT A MOTOR COP'S ALL ABOUT.

WE STOP PEOPLE ALL DAY.

WE GET TO TALK TO THEM.

WE GET TO SEE THEM AT THEIR GOOD AND SEE THEM AT THEIR BAD.

AND THERE IS NO OTHER JOB LIKE BEING A MOTORCYCLE OFFICER HERE IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES.

>> NOW, THIS IS A HIGH POINT OF THE ANNIVERSARY RIGHT HERE.

WHAT'S GETTING READY TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW?

>> THIS IS THE REAL DEAL.

THIS IS THE WHOLE THING RIGHT HERE.

AND WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS GOING TO TAKE THE PICTURE OF THE CURRENT MOTOR OFFICERS, THE CURRENT MOTOR SQUAD, WHICH IS 300 STRONG, AND WE'RE GOING TO DUPLICATE THAT FROM, YOU KNOW, 100 YEARS AGO, BASICALLY, WHEN WE STARTED.

>> BECAUSE TRADITIONALLY--AND I'VE SEEN THE OLD PICTURES--THEY USED TO TAKE PICTURES LIKE THIS OF THE WHOLE GROUP TOGETHER.

>> THEY DID, AND THEY USED TO BE DOWN HERE AT THE COLISEUM.

SO IT'S KIND OF A TRADITIONAL THING FOR US THAT WE COME HERE.

AND THE LAST TIME THAT WE DID THIS WAS IN 2000.

AND SO THIS IS NOW WHERE WE'VE PUT IN A LITTLE MORE TIME AND EFFORT AND A LOT OF POLISH IN IT.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY.

>> BOY, THERE'S A LOT OF POLISH OUT THERE.

THE SUN IS REFLECTING.

EVERYBODY'S SHINED UP--THEIR BIKES, THEIR HELMETS, THEIR BOOTS, THEIR BADGES.

>> IT'S ALL GOOD.

THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT TO BE AN LA MOTOR COP.

THIS IS WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

>> YEAH, BECAUSE THIS HAS GOT TO INSTILL A LOT OF PRIDE, TO HAVE A GROUP PICTURE LIKE THIS.

>> WELL, SOME OF THE PEOPLE YOU TALKED TO ARE GUYS THAT HAVE GOT DADS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THE JOB, AND A LOT OF TRADITION IN THIS, YOU KNOW.

MANY OFFICERS HERE HAVE HAD A LOT OF YEARS RIDING MOTORS.

A LOT OF US ARE HERE THAT ARE RETIRED GUYS, YOU KNOW, SO.

[CHIRPS] >> WELL, THIS IS A PIECE OF HISTORY RIGHT HERE.

>> EXCUSE ME, SIR.

>> WE'RE GOOD.

>> THERE GOES THE PHOTOGRAPH.

>> THAT'S IT.

WE'RE READY TO GO.

>> [LAUGHS] THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS UP IN THE CRANE IN WHAT THEY CALL THE BUCKET, AND HE'S GOING TO BE TAKING THE PHOTOGRAPH RIGHT NOW OF ALL 300 MOTORS TOGETHER HERE IN FRONT OF THE COLISEUM.

THIS PICTURE ITSELF WILL BECOME A PIECE OF LAPD AND LOS ANGELES HISTORY.

IT WAS IMPRESSIVE TO SEE 300 MOTOR OFFICERS ALL TOGETHER FOR THE GROUP PICTURE IN FRONT OF THE COLISEUM.

BUT IT GOT A LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED THAN JUST TAKING ONE PICTURE.

NOW, THIS IS INTERESTING, BECAUSE THERE'S MORE THAN ONE PICTURE BEING MADE.

YOU'RE NOW IN CHARGE OF... >> THE ACTUAL SUBSEQUENT PHOTO SHOOTS WITH ALL THE DIGNITARIES.

>> THE DIGNITARIES, 'CAUSE EVERYBODY WANTS THEIR PICTURE MADE.

>> EVERYBODY WANTS THEIR PICTURE TAKEN.

>> SO YOU'RE STARTING OFF WITH... >> WE'RE STARTING OFF WITH COUNCILMAN ED REYES, AND THEN, WE'RE GOING TO GO WITH CHIEF GATES, CHIEF LARRY MANION FROM LAUSD, CHIEF TERRY HARA FROM LAPD.

I HAVE A WHOLE LIST OF ABOUT 15 DIGNITARIES WE'RE GOING TO BE ROTATING THROUGH HERE IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

>> WOW.

>> YEP.

YEP.

SO WE GOT TO MOVE RIGHT ALONG.

WE'RE VERY BUSY, AS YOU CAN SEE.

>> [LAUGHS] GOOD LUCK.

HE'S DEALING WITH THE DIGNITARIES, STARTING OFF WITH--THERE'S COUNCILMAN REYES THERE SMILING FROM EAR TO EAR.

EVERYBODY WANTS THEIR PICTURES MADE WITH THESE LAPD MOTOR OFFICERS, ALL 300 OF THEM.

AND IT WAS SOMETHING TO SEE.

FORMER CHIEF GATES WAS THERE AND REALLY ENJOYED HAVING HIS PICTURE TAKEN WITH THE GROUP.

AND THERE WAS EVEN A PICTURE TAKEN WITH AN LAPD HELICOPTER HOVERING OVERHEAD.

AND WHY NOT?

THIS WAS HISTORY, AND EVERYBODY REALLY WANTED TO BE A PART OF IT.

AND HERE'S THE PICTURE.

IMPRESSIVE, AND TRULY A COLLECTOR'S ITEM, ALTHOUGH YOU'D HAVE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHERE YOU WERE IN THE PICTURE TO FIND YOURSELF IN THE PICTURE.

BUT REGARDLESS, IT WAS, AND IS, A PART OF LAPD MOTORS HISTORY.

[ENGINES REVVING] >> BUT THERE WAS MORE, BECAUSE AFTER THE PHOTOGRAPHS, IT WAS TIME TO HEAD OUT, AND THAT WAS REALLY SOMETHING TO SEE-- HUNDREDS OF MOTORCYCLES, ALL OF THIS DONE WITH METICULOUS PRECISION, TIMED PERFECTLY, NOBODY MISSING A BEAT.

THE ROUTE TOOK THEM FROM THE COLISEUM DOWN FIGUEROA PAST THE CONVENTION CENTER, THE STAPLES CENTER, AND INTO DOWNTOWN.

THE EVENTUAL DESTINATION WAS THE LAPD ACADEMY OVER BY DODGER STADIUM.

[APPLAUSE] >> WHOO!

>> WHY DO YOU THINK SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS IMPORTANT?

IS IT IMPORTANT FOR MORALE?

IS IT IMPORTANT TO LET THE CITIZENS OF LOS ANGELES BECOME MORE AWARE OF WHAT MOTORS ARE ALL ABOUT?

WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS?

>> IT'S BOTH.

IT'S TO CELEBRATE A LITTLE BIT OF OUR TRADITION.

IT'S 100 YEARS OLD NOW.

LA MOTOR COPS ARE 100 YEARS OLD.

AND TO BRING THE COMMUNITY OUT LIKE THAT AND TO SHARE THAT WITH THEM, THERE'S NO BETTER OPPORTUNITY.

LET THEM ENJOY THAT WITH US.

>> AND HOW DO YOU THINK IT MAKES THE MOTORS THEMSELVES, THE MEN AND THE WOMEN, FEEL TO HAVE THE SPOTLIGHT ON THEM FOR A DAY?

BECAUSE THEY SERVE DAY IN AND DAY OUT WITHOUT A LOT OF FAME OR GLORY.

>> EXACTLY.

IT IS.

IT'S A TIME TO KIND OF RELISH THE MOMENT.

AND I THINK EVERYBODY'S ENJOYING IT.

TO SEE THE REACTION FROM THE COMMUNITY ON THE WAY UP HERE, AND TO SEE THE GOOD TURNOUT OUT HERE, IT DOES.

IT'S A VERY POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON OUR MORALE.

>> WELL, YOU'RE STARTING YOUR SECOND 100 YEARS.

>> YEAH.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF I'M GOING TO BE AROUND HERE FOR THE OTHER HUNDRED, SO I'M GOING TO RELISH THIS MOMENT.

>> I HAD A BLESSED LIFE BEING AN LAPD MOTOR COP.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WAS LIKE OUT OF THE HEAVENS.

AND ME FROM MY BACKGROUND, BEING--COMING FROM A RURAL AREA THAT WAS POOR, COMING OUT HERE AND GETTING A BIG CITY MOTOR COP JOB, YOU COULDN'T HAVE EVEN WRITTEN THAT DOWN AS BEING POSSIBLE.

>> AND YOU KNOW WHAT, THOUGH?

I BET YOU OVER THE YEARS, FOR A HUNDRED YEARS, EVERY SINGLE MAN AND WOMAN WHO'S BEEN IN MOTORS HAS HAD A WONDERFUL STORY ABOUT THEIR LIFE.

>> WELL, IT'S A SPECIAL GROUP.

THERE'S A LOT OF TESTS, A LOT OF ORALS AND A LOT OF WRITING SCHOOL.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WRITE.

>> LOT OF SKILL.

>> YEAH, OR YOU DON'T GET THROUGH IT.

>> AND PERFORMANCE.

IF YOU DON'T PERFORM, YOU'RE GONE, WHICH IS OK. THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.

>> IF YOU DON'T HANDLE YOUR CALLS AND YOUR CITATIONS AND TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, YOU'RE-- >> ALL THESE GUYS THAT ARE HERE TODAY ARE IN THE SAME BOAT.

>> ARE YOU TEMPTED, WHEN YOU'RE AROUND THEM, TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE GOOD OLD DAYS?

>> OH, WE DO.

THAT'S THE FIRST THING WE DO IS TALK TO THEM.

>> THEY ALWAYS ASK, YOU KNOW.

"HOW WAS IT BACK THEN?"

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, THE YOUNGSTERS ALWAYS SEEK US OUT AND WANT TO KNOW THE OLD STORIES EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE STILL WORKING.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE OLD TIMES WERE-- >> WE USED TO DO THAT WITH THE OLD TIMERS WHEN WE CAME ON THE JOB.

AND YOU KNOW--SO IT'S A REPETITION.

>> JUST KEEPS GOING.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR.

>> OK, SIR.

APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THERE THEY ARE.

STAND THERE AND LOOK AT THE CAMERA.

THE PARTNERS, AND THEY'RE STILL TOGETHER!

>> ON AND OFF.

>> ON AND OFF.

THUMBS UP, FELLAS.

IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY, A CELEBRATION FOR A VERY SPECIAL GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS--THE MEN AND WOMEN OF LAPD MOTORS WHO'VE BEEN PROTECTING AND SERVING THE CITIZENS OF LOS ANGELES WITH PRIDE AND DISTINCTION FOR OVER 100 YEARS.

[SIRENS] [CAPTIONING MADE POSSIBLE BY KCET PUBLIC TELEVISION] [CAPTIONED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE --www.ncicap.org--] [INDISTINCT TALKING] [HELICOPTER WHIRRING] >> "VISITING WITH HUELL HOWSER" IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE RALPH M. PARSONS FOUNDATION.