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Michigan State Police using motorcycles at RNC

Posted at 9:58 AM, Jul 21, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-21 12:55:31-04

CLEVELAND — Police keeping order in the streets around the Republican National Convention this week have been taking to two wheels more often.

Michigan State Police troopers, who are on hand helping Ohio State Police and Cleveland Police, are using motorcycles to remain mobile.

"Working with these other state agencies, we were very nervous abut how this would be coming together," said Sgt. Marcus Trammel with MSP's motor unit. "It’s gone without hitch. It’s like we’re reading each others minds,"

Troopers have been using the motorcycles to escort dignitaries like Donald Trump and John Kasich through the crowds, as well as other police to their posts. Many of the police in Cleveland are from outside of the city, so they don't have their patrol vehicles with them and have been arriving on buses.  They are also escorting food trucks to get resources into the convention area and also help feed the police, many of whom are working 14 hour days on their motorcycles.

"When you’re dealing with several buses, you don’t want those buses splitting," Sgt. Trammel said. "Then we’ve got a split of state troopers and they’re not with each other where they need to be."

Sgt. Trammel tells FOX 17 Ohio's Motor Unit training is similar to the Michigan State Police.

"We’re Michigan state troopers. We're in Cleveland. We’ve been sworn in as Cleveland police officers," he said. "It’s pretty cool and it's a good honor, but it’s a lot of work. Our guys are tired, but we’re having a good time."