October 23, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • Page 3 Ho-Ho-Kus Future of police motorcycle still unknown by Jennifer Crusco The Ho-Ho-Kus Police Department’s motorcycle unit was officially shelved on Oct. 1, when Patrolman Pete Tiernan retired after 32 years on the force and eight years as the department’s motorcycle officer. However, the fate of the vehicle still remains undetermined. At present, no other Ho-Ho-Kus police officers are certified to use the motorcycle. However, last week, Ho- Ho-Kus Police Chief John Wanamaker told Villadom TIMES a department member has expressed an interest in taking the Maryland State Police training course for motorcycle officers. Wanamaker added that, if that indi- vidual does not end up becoming the new motorcycle officer, he plans to reach out to Greg Kallenberg, who was chief of police when the vehicle was donated to the borough in 2005, for guidance. “I can’t find anything in writing,” Wanamaker said, concerning any stipulations regarding the disposition of the bike if it could not be used for police work. Villadom TIMES is also attempting to locate any documents related to this issue. Earlier this month, Wanamaker indicated that the fate of the motorcycle was something that had to be addressed. At that time, he said a handful of Ho-Ho-Kus police officers currently hold motorcycle licenses and, therefore, would be eligible to take the training course. “Pete did a lot of good work on the bike,” Wanamaker said at that time. He said the motorcycle was a good tool for police work, maneuvered well, and was an excellent public relations device. Last week, Mayor Thomas Randall said he did not remember any stipulations concerning the motorcycle. He said he remembered the donation as an outright offering. A source familiar with the situation indicated that the motorcycle was supposed to be returned to the donors, Robert Verkerk and Nancy Vollek Verkerk, if it was not being used for police work. The donors were invited to contact Villadom TIMES, but instead had a spokesper- son call the paper. According to the spokesperson, the donors are not interested in having the bike returned to them, and would suggest that, if it is not going to be used, the motorcycle should be sold and the proceeds used by the police department. In the summer of 2005, Tiernan, a long-time motor- cycle enthusiast, signed up for the motorcycle training course in preparation for the donation of the bike. He passed the rigorous course, which is offered at the Bergen County Law & Public Safety Institute in Mahwah. The course is designed for individuals who possess motorcycle licenses and focuses on instruction specific to law enforcement situations, such as maneuvering in emergencies. The course is popular, but is physically demanding and has a high dropout rate. After passing the course, Tiernan reported that participating in the training was among the most difficult things he had ever done. The motorcycle allows a law enforcement officer to ride in several areas where a patrol car cannot be used, or might be difficult to use, such as behind buildings, along railroad tracks, and along the highway or local streets in heavy traffic situations. During the annual Junior Police Academy course held for Ho-Ho-Kus Public School students, Tiernan had demonstrated how the motorcycle was being used for law enforcement purposes.