Local Officer Wins Overall Motorcycle Novice Award at World Games

Overall Motorcycle winner at the 2015 World Police and Fire Games says games mirror what officers experience in real life situations.

Prince William Officer Justin Bonner won a gold medal in the Cone Course Novice Division and was also awarded the “Todd Ricks Award,” as overall motorcycle winner in the World Police and Fire Game Fairfax County is hosting.

Bonner, who has served as a PWPD Motorcycle Officer for nearly two years, competed alongside four other motorcycle officers from Prince William. Their team, which won a silver medal in Overall Motorcycle Team, included qualifying scores by officers Rob Minnick, Steve Bennett and Joe Kushner.

The Prince William team did not just compete in one motorcycle competition, but in several events such as slow ride, cone individual, pair and team; and the timed cone pair, individual and team. The team members' highest score were then averaged together and compared against other teams.

Prince William PD competed not only against other local departments, but also against officers from departments as far away as Florida, Texas, Wisconsin and even California.

While the games are fun, more importantly, Bonner said, they help to simulate situations officers may face in real life.

“Everything that was in the competition was designed to simulate a real-world scenario," he said.

For instance, the cones represent traffic that motorcyclists would have to maneuver around to answer a police call.

“You don’t want to hit cars on your way there. helps you to maintain control of the motorcycle in dangerous or stressful situations.”

Bonner noted his department insists upon similar training before one can become a motorcycle officer. Motorcycle officers must also attend mandatory monthly practices sessions after that. And, in order to prepare for the games, his team put in extra hours  riding their cone courses at the police academy track.

Bonner said the games were well worth his time since they allowed officers from different places around the country to bond, improve their skill set and share valuable knowledge.

“Yes, you get to learn a lot from these agencies, talking with them and competing with them. It makes you a better rider, and some of the skills you learn could end up saving your life on the street.”