Modern Tools for a Modern Traffic Unit
In an era where municipal budgets are increasingly strained and the costs of maintaining police fleets continue to rise, law enforcement agencies are turning back to an old ally: the police motorcycle. While motorcycles have long been a staple of traffic enforcement, their role diminished in recent decades as patrol cars became more versatile. Today, however, financial pressures and advancements in digital policing technology are driving a resurgence. This renewed focus on motorcycle units not only promises cost savings, but also introduces unique technical challenges that must be addressed to ensure safety, efficiency, and operational effectiveness.
The Financial Imperative
The escalating costs of patrol cars—amplified by supply chain issues and inflation—have made police motorcycles an attractive alternative for agencies of all sizes. Motorcycles offer meaningful savings in purchase price, fuel consumption, and ongoing maintenance. Their agility in traffic and ability to maneuver through congested urban environments make them exceptionally effective for traffic enforcement and special operations.
To maximize the value of these units, agencies must equip them with technology designed specifically for motorcycle deployment. Patrol PC® supports this shift through its Motorcycle Technology Enhancement Package (MTEP), a purpose-built solution that allows agencies to reduce vehicle costs without sacrificing digital capability in the field.
Motorcycle eCitation
Embracing the Digital Age with eTicketing
Modern traffic enforcement increasingly depends on eTicketing systems. These digital tools streamline citation processing, reduce paperwork, improve data accuracy, and accelerate reporting workflows. Bringing eTicketing to police motorcycles, however, requires technology engineered for conditions far different than a patrol car interior.
At the core of the Patrol PC® MTEP is the RhinoTab® with Dock In The Box, a rugged, motorcycle-ready MDT designed to operate reliably in open-air, high-motion environments. Combined with MTEP’s integrated power and peripheral support, officers gain full eTicketing functionality without compromising safety or performance.
Overcoming Visibility Challenges
Motorcycle officers routinely contend with harsh sunlight and glare that can make standard screens difficult or unsafe to use. Without proper visibility, entering or reviewing citation data can slow operations and increase risk. The RhinoTab® MDT included in the Patrol PC® MTEP features a high-brightness, sunlight-viewable display with anti-glare coatings, ensuring officers can clearly view and input data in virtually any lighting condition.
Durability in Extreme Conditions
Police motorcycles expose electronic equipment to extreme heat, vibration, and environmental stress—particularly inside the tour pack where technology is commonly housed. Patrol PC® systems are built with ruggedized components, heat-resistant materials, and advanced thermal management to withstand prolonged exposure to these harsh conditions. This durability extends across the MTEP ecosystem, from the MDT to the printer and power components, helping reduce downtime and extend service life.
Installed MTEP
Compact and Efficient Design
Space on a police motorcycle is extremely limited. An effective motorcycle eTicketing system must integrate a computer, data connection, input device, and printer into a compact, lightweight configuration. Patrol PC® addresses this challenge through space-efficient MTEP design, supporting both 4-inch and 8-inch printers from all manufacturers. We offer the 4-inch and 8-inch Brother® printers with a patented ultra-compact printer mount for the Brother PJxxx series. This allows agencies to maintain full printing capability without sacrificing valuable tour pack space.
Robust Power Management
Unlike patrol cars, motorcycles offer limited power capacity, making energy efficiency critical. eTicketing systems must operate without draining the motorcycle’s primary battery, which also powers lights, sirens, radios, and ignition systems. At the heart of the Patrol PC® MTEP is a dedicated MTEP Power Management System, designed to safely power the MDT and all connected peripherals. When paired with an optional LiFePO4 12V lithium auxiliary battery, the system delivers reliable. long-term performance with several key advantages over standard lead-acid batteries:
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Lightweight: 6 lbs versus 15 lbs for the Harley-Davidson optional lead-acid battery—reducing overall load on the motorcycle.
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Long Life: More than 3,000 full discharge cycles and an 11-year warranty, compared to only a dozen cycles and no warranty for lead-acid batteries.
This combination ensures consistent operation in the field while minimizing strain on the motorcycle’s electrical system.
MTEP – Prioritizing Officer Safety
Purpose-Built Technology from Patrol PC®
Patrol PC® designs and manufactures computers in America specifically for American law enforcement. Through the Motorcycle Technology Enhancement Package, Patrol PC® delivers an integrated solution that addresses visibility, durability, space constraints, and power management—without requiring agencies to piece together off-the-shelf components.
By naming and solving each operational challenge as it arises, Patrol PC® enables agencies to deploy motorcycle units that are fully equipped for modern, digital traffic enforcement.
This article was written by — Dave Swithers, Patrol PC® President
