12th Annual Palmetto Police Motorcycle Training Seminar (PPMSC)

This year’s seminar ( the 12th )will be held in North Myrtle Beach SC.

PPMSC is dedicated to promoting;

• Training and excellence in the skills for safe and effective performance of the Motor Officer’s duties
• Expand the fraternity of the Motor Officer community
• Increase public awareness of the skills and dedication required to be a Motor Officer
• Provide support for Carolina C.O.P.S. and other worthy non-profit organizations in the tri-county area.

Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (C.O.P.S.) provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families and affected co-workers of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty…

The Palmetto Police Motorcycle Skills Competition will provide challenging and unique courses.

What is a Police Motorcycle Rodeo?

A police motorcycle rodeo is a way to showcase the skills of law enforcement motorcycle riders.   These skills are put to the test through a series of performance under pressure events.  It takes a great deal of practice to be able to handle the shear weight and size of the motorcycle.  The basic idea of police motorcycle training is to make the motorcycle itself work to its maximum potential. A simple philosophy of motor officers is if you hit or rub a cone in training you have just struck a pedestrian.

A rodeo is made up of several events that help to determine the overall best riders. These riders are ranked in a final overall category. The best overall rider earns the title of Mr. Rodeo. The best team consisting of four members earns the title of best overall team.

The events in no particular order are as follows:

Five Courses run consecutively for time and precision. (Precision meaning not to strike or rub any cones) Striking or rubbing a cone is a penalty. The cones are not randomly placed they are in a particular pattern.

See a cone pattern

After a small break Five additional courses are than run consecutively under the pressure of time and again with the goal of precision.

See an example of a five course timed run

A Partner Ride consists of two motorcycles tethered together by a 36” breakaway strap.  The motorcycles are tasked with completing a basic course in the fastest time possible without breaking the tether. If the tether breaks the ride does not count as a good run.

See an example of a Partner Ride

The Individual Slow Ride is an event in which a rider has a designated area such as a parking space that he has to ride in the slowest possible time. The slowest time wins.

See an example of an individual slow ride

The Team Slow Ride uses the same principles of the individual slow ride but four riders are competing as a team to attain the slowest time.

See an example of a team slow ride

The Partner Challenge Ride is a ride in which two motor officers compete as a team to complete a series of courses.  The time starts when the first motorcycle’s front tire crosses the plane of the first course.  The time stops when the rear tire of the second motorcycle crosses the exit plane of the last course.

The Challenge Ride is an individual event in which a rider has to complete a path of travel they have never ridden or practiced before. This sometimes includes shooting from the motorcycle or throwing a football through a ring.