- April 26, 2024
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Officers from throughout state take part in contest.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
Asked about the usefulness of police motorcycles, Flagler County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Vedder had a simple answer.
“Have you ever been on Palm Coast Parkway at rush hour?” he asked. “I can get through anything.”
Vedder was speaking above the roar of motorcycles at the premier Motorcycle Skills Challenge, Sept. 17-19 at Destination Daytona, which drew about 85 officers from 30 different police agencies as far away as New York.
One of the officers representing Ormond Beach was Cpl. John Borzner, who said the training received during the event helps officers become better riders.
Two days are designated for practice before the one-day competition, and motorcycle instructors are on site to help with the event.
The challenge was presented in partnership between the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office Charity Committee Inc. and Destination Daytona. It raised money for two charities: the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch and Concerns of Police Survivors, or C.O.P.S., which helps families who had loved ones that died in the line of duty. It provides financial, educational, housing and other support to survivors.
Volusia County Deputy John Braman said he enjoys being on the motorcycle squad.
“I’m not in a desk job,” he said. “I’m out riding a Harley all day.”
In the contest, he said they learn curb negotiation and slow-speed riding which comes in handy when getting to an emergency in traffic.
In prior years, a motorcycle contest was organized at the venue by the Daytona Beach Police Department. Volusia County Sheriff Ben Johnson plans for the current event to return every year.
“We’re looking to make this the premier event in the Southeast,” Johnson said.
Along with Borzner, representing Ormond Beach Police Dept. were Sgt. Keith Bandell, Officer Jeremy Goss, Officer Caleb Braun and Sgt. Mike Pavelka. Borzner and Pavelka also served as instructors.
Pavelka said the event is a good moral builder for the officers and they get to meet and share ideas with other departments.
“Plus, it’s for a great charity,” he said.
There were winners in three classes, H-D Fairing, H-D Windshield and all other (BMW, Honda, etc.) The overall winner was crowned Daytona Boss – 2015. This story will be updated when the information becomes available.
