By Hannah Curran, Editor
SPRINGVILLE — The Springville Police Department (SPD) is continuing the tradition with its new motor scout.
Motor Scout Officer Darrell Dobbs has been with the SPD for almost a year but has always loved and appreciated motorcycles. The transition from patrol officer to motor scout has been nothing but rewarding.
“It brings back up the tradition for law enforcement because some of the first police vehicles ever on the road were motorcycles; back in the early 1900s, they didn’t have cars as easily accessible as motorcycles were,” Dobbs said. “So it’s great to be a part of a centuries-long tradition.”
Dobbs received training from the Trussville Police Department’s Sergeant Joseph Dunn, and Walton said Dobbs has continued to impress everyone.
“Motorcycles are great tools,” Springville Chief Wayne Walton said. “Chief Ron Black brought the motor scout program here when he was chief. He was a motor scout, and I was motor scout, and we’ve had motor scouts here since 1999.”
Walton said motor scout school is probably the most challenging school to send an officer through physically and mentally.
As a motor scout, Dobbs works all and any wrecks in the Springville City limits. Walton explained that speeding in neighborhoods has become a problem, and with the motor scout, they can catch the car “every time.”
“That motorcycle that (Dobbs) is riding is my pride and joy,” Walton said. “That is the last motorcycle that Chief Ron Black bought for this city. So it’s my pride and joy.”
Walton said the community enjoys having the motor scout back on the road.
“(Dobbs) had two kids stop him this morning,” Walton said. “They wanted to see the blue lights on the motorcycle. The citizens out here love seeing that motorcycle. Love it.”
Dobbs will also attend Traffic Homicide Investigation (THI) classes next year to better himself for his community and department. He will join two other officers who are qualified for Traffic Homicide Investigation.
Walton added that he plans to continue to grow the motor scout program.
“Keeping the tradition going in our city as far as the motorcycles, Chief Ron black started the motor unit here, and we’re going to continue that tradition as long as we can,” Walton said. “Being a motor scout is deep in tradition. You can see police officers out here doing their job looking good, but you let a motor scout pull up, and he will always be professional. It’s deep in tradition.”
It’s not just the motor scout program that is growing, but Walton said all his officers are graduating from various programs to help the department succeed.
Walton said that this year they have had officers graduate from motor scout, Alabama Investigation Academy, Peer Support Instructors, Evidence Management Training, FBI First-Line Supervisors, and K-9 school.
“Our officers are getting the best training they can receive, and I am proud of them,” Walton said.