Press Release: BMW Revs Up NYC Sheriff's Department By Donating BMW R 1100 RT-P Police Motorcycles

May 04, 2004

BMW Revs Up NYC Sheriff's Department By Donating BMW R 1100 RT-P Police Motorcycles

For Immediate Release

Woodcliff Lake, NY - BMW of North America, LLC has donated a fleet of 11 BMW R 1100 RT-P police motorcycles to the New York City Sheriff's Department, enabling one of the largest and most active Sheriff's offices in the country to establish its first motorcycle unit. The motorcycles were presented to Caliph T. Mathis, Sheriff of the City of New York and Deputy Sheriffs Ray Robertson, Walter Lubkemeier and Paul Mulqueen by BMW representatives at BMW of Manhattan, where the motorcycles will receive ongoing routine servicing.

Sheriff Mathis, a former Lieutenant of the New York City Police Department's Intelligence Division, quickly embraced the idea of forming a motorcycle unit.

"I would like to thank BMW and its representatives for their gracious donation," stated Mathis. "The motorcycles are a perfect way to augment the patrol fleet. They will allow additional flexibility when responding to emergencies, performing routine Sheriff operations, and, most importantly, they will enhance our abilities during the World Trade Center Disaster recovery effort."

According to Deputy Sheriff Ray Robertson, an eight-year veteran of the 150-person force, the newly created motorcycle unit was born out of the tragedy of September. 11.

"Following the terrorist attacks, the New York City Sheriff's Department recognized the need for additional vehicles to escort contingents of City officials, dignitaries and world leaders to Ground Zero. BMW loaned us two motorcycles immediately after the attacks and we found them to be invaluable for security and entourage support as we worked 12-hour shifts seven days a week.

Now, with an entire fleet at our disposal, we intend to integrate the motorcycles into every facet of our duties in all five boroughs," said Robertson.

"We're pleased to be able to assist the Sheriff's Department and the City of New York in carrying on with its day-to-day operations," commented Thomas J. Plucinsky, General Manager of BMW's Motorcycle Operations.

BMW of Manhattan also donated motorcycle boots, helmets and gloves to help outfit the motorcycle unit.

Internationally, BMW is the largest seller of motorcycles for authority use. More than 80,000 BMW motorcycles are currently in official use in over 150 countries on five continents. In the United States, more than 140 law enforcement agencies, including urban police agencies in Atlantic City, NJ; Sacramento, CA; Newport News, VA; and Irvine, TX; and State agencies in Idaho, Washington, Oregon and California (the nation's largest) have BMW authority motorcycles in their fleets of patrol vehicles.

The BMW R 1100 RT-P ("P" for police) is based on the BMW R 1100 RT civilian model, but is equipped with features, which tailor it for official use. It is powered by BMW's modern two-cylinder, four-stroke Boxer engine, which delivers 90 horsepower at 7,250 rpm. Comfort and safety features include an antilock braking system that operates independently on both front and rear wheels (important in rapid braking situations), standard "run-flat" capable tires (which allow the motorcycle to be safely controlled to a stop in the event of a flat), an electrically adjustable windshield to allow riders to tailor wind flow to riding speed and body proportions, electrically heated handgrips, an adjustable shift lever, and front and rear protection bars.

In addition to special lighting and siren systems, the air/liquid cooled BMW R 1100 RT-P also comes equipped with auxiliary cooling fans, which are essential for an engine that must be kept idling or running at low speeds for long periods without overheating, and a large 700 W alternator with a dual battery system to keep the battery charged during long duties and facilitate starting after long traffic stops.

BMW Authority Motorcycles
Internationally, BMW is the largest seller of motorcycles for authority use. More than 80,000 BMW motorcycles are currently in official use in over 150 countries on five continents. In the United States, more than 225 law enforcement agencies have BMW authority motorcycles in their fleets of patrol vehicles. These include urban police agencies in Atlantic City, NJ; Los Angles, CA; Sacramento, CA; Reno, Nevada; Honolulu, HI; Newport News, VA; Tallahassee, FL; and Irvine, TX; and state highway patrols in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina and California (the nation's largest fleet with over 600 BMW motorcycles). BMW Authority Motorcycles are the only certified police motorcycles available with an anti-lock brake system, high-capacity alternator with linked battery system, thermostatically-controlled cooling system, 3-year unlimited-mileage limited warranty and 6,000-mile service intervals, all standard.

For further information, please contact Frank Stevens by phone at: (800) 345-4BMW or email: frank.stevens@bmwna.com