Motor cops test skills at Saturday competition

The Carson City Sheriff's Department will be hosting the Fifth Annual Extreme Motor Officer Training Challenge on Saturday at Mills Park.

The competition pits motorcycle officers from Carson City, California and Southern Nevada against each other in a series of skill-based events with prizes going to first, second and third place.

Motorcycle officers maneuver their department-issued motorcycles through several cone patterns. The riders with the fastest times and fewest errors win.

Last year, the Roseville, Calif., Police Department took home three first place awards, with Las Vegas Metro, the Rancho Cordova, Calif., Police Department and the Folsom Police Department each taking home one first place award. The Carson City Sheriff's Department received two second-place awards.

"This event promotes and demonstrates safe motorcycle riding skills and gives the motorcycle officers (vital) ongoing training," said Carson Sheriff's Deputy Jarrod Adams. "The training is critical and necessary for the officers to provide effective enforcement atop two wheels."

Adams said in addition to receiving training, the event is also a fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of Western Nevada and money will also be donated to Cameron Hardy, a Carson City teen battling leukemia.

Competition begins at 8 a.m. and goes to 4 p.m. on the east side of the park off Oxoby Loop.