Washington Troopers Get Honda ST1300 for Highway Enforcement
The Washington State Patrol has begun adopting the Honda ST1300PA motorcycle and shifting away from BMW motorcycles for highway enforcement. There are currently 43 full-time troopers on motorcycles across the state and 12 have just completed the transition.
Photo: Washington State Patrol.
The Washington State Patrol has begun adopting the Honda ST1300PA motorcycle and shifting away from BMW motorcycles for highway enforcement. There are currently 43 full-time troopers on motorcycles across the state and 12 have just completed the transition, according to the law enforcement agency.
"Throughout the patrol's history motorcycles have proven to be an effective tool for traffic enforcement. This transition reduces cost and will still provide the safety and performance necessary for our motor officers," says Chief John Batiste.
The Honda ST1300PA, which was specifically manufactured for law enforcement use, was chosen because of the balance, maneuverability, acceleration, overall performance, availability of service, and lower purchase and maintenance costs, according to the Washington State Patrol.
To see a video on troopers making this transition, you can visit the Washington State Patrol YouTube site. This video is part of the State Patrol's "Good to Know" series designed to help educate the public about various aspects of the Washington State Patrol.
The State Patrol was formed in 1921 with six troopers on Indian motorcycles.
More Vehicle Ops
Tenhold Introduces Suppressor Gun Rack System
Tenhold, formerly Jotto Desk, provides next-generation vehicle systems for law enforcement and public safety and recently debuted its Suppressor Lock Head for its Weapon Mounting system.
Read More →
Ram Debuts Pursuit-Capable 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle
The 2027 Ram 2500 Emergency Response Vehicle is the first and only ¾-ton truck to complete the Michigan State Police vehicle trials, and Ram said it delivered outstanding performance in testing scenarios designed to replicate extreme real-world duty.
Read More →
How Smart Fleet Technology Is Transforming Police Operations
Police agencies are leveraging fleet data to reduce collisions, improve officer safety, control maintenance costs, and strengthen public accountability. This ebook explores how modern telematics and fleet management technology are helping departments operate more efficiently while maximizing taxpayer resources.
Read More →
Emergency Vehicle Upfitter LEHR Opens New Facility in New Jersey
LEHR’s new centralized upfitting facility in New Jersey consolidates operations to deliver faster turnaround times and enhanced fleet capacity for law enforcement agencies across the Northeast.
Read More →
North Carolina Sheriff’s Office Improves Fueling Reliability & Operational Control
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office overcame fuel management and accounting challenges by turning to RoadFlex to improve fueling reliability, visibility, and administrative control.
Read More →
Emergency Vehicle Upfitter LEHR Expands National Footprint with New 40,000-Square-Foot Facility in Houston
LEHR has opened a 40,000-square-foot Defender Supply upfitting facility in Houston, Texas. It is expected to upfit thousands of public safety vehicles each year.
Read More →
How to Pick Your High-Risk Stop Location for Tactical Advantage
Hear veteran trainer Mike Willis, of the United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, explain several considerations that can help you wisely pick your best spot to initiate high-risk or felony traffic stops.
Read More →
Coffee Break with Police Experts: Using Your Patrol Vehicle for Cover
In this video, hear from Dustin Mowery, a product specialist at Team Wendy, as he discusses how to best use a patrol vehicle for cover.
Read More →
Ford Celebrates 75 Years of Making Patrol Vehicles
From 1950 to 2025, Ford has produced many of America’s most iconic law enforcement cars, SUVs, and trucks. POLICE Magazine takes you through the history of Ford’s police vehicles.
Read More →
Using Patrol Vehicles for Cover
While a patrol vehicle offers some cover protection when taking fire, remain mobile and don’t stick to one piece of cover indefinitely. Dustin Mowery, of Team Wendy, shares what he teaches about using vehicles as cover.
Read More →