TPD’s Motorcycle Unit prepares for Gasparilla, working on skills to prepare for wet conditions and safety amidst tight turns and potential rain and obstacles.
TAMPA, Fla. — A cold, wet start to the day in Tampa turned into an afternoon of ideal training conditions for one of the city’s most visible law enforcement units ahead of Gasparilla.
With this weekend’s parade forecast calling for cooler temperatures and the chance of rain, the Tampa Police Department’s Motorcycle Unit fine-tuned skills they rely on every year during one of the city’s largest events.
Gasparilla presents unique challenges for motorcycle officers, including tight turns, slow-speed maneuvers, and riding just inches apart — all on pavement that can quickly become slick.
“Anytime that we have training, whether it’s cold or whatever the conditions are, we still train,” Corporal Keith Brown, with TPD, said. “Because it is important.”
The Motor Unit trains monthly and spends much of the year preparing for parade season.
Brown said the same seven officers make up the team used for every parade, practicing a series of more than a dozen specialized maneuvers designed to balance precision, visibility, and safety.
“Motors is like one of the things that everybody wants to see,” Brown said. “Adults get excited about it. So, we want to make sure we look good — but at the same time, we want to keep it safe, because we want everybody in the crowd to be safe too.”
While the synchronized riding often draws cheers, Brown emphasized that the unit’s core mission is crowd control and route security.
Before the parade even begins, officers patrol the route to prevent people from blocking off space and to keep pathways clear.
Rain could add another layer of difficulty, especially once beads and debris start piling up on the streets.
“The beads can really be a challenge,” Brown said. “The bikes will wash out. The front tire will wash out on the beads. It is a challenge — but these guys are good.”
Tampa’s Motorcycle Unit carries more than a century of history. The Tampa Police Department established the unit in 1910, making it one of the oldest motorcycle units in Florida and the nation — a legacy officers say they take seriously.
“We select the best of the best to come here,” Brown said. “We put them through a rigorous process. The pin that we wear on our class uniform — that motor wheel — you’ve learned that motor wheel.”
Brown said training prepares officers to operate rain or shine, even if wet conditions slow the pace of the parade.
“We will do the same events,” he said. “These guys have trained for it. Whether it’s raining or sunny out — we do it.”
As Tampa braces for what could be another record-setting Gasparilla, officers say days like this ensure they’re ready for whatever conditions arise.