The Fresno State Police Department received a grant from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District to purchase three electric motorcycles.

The department made the decision to purchase motorcycles in the hopes to not only reduce carbon emissions, but to add to campus safety.

Amy Luna, manager of emergency operations and business continuity, said those are the two key reasons for getting the motorcycles.

“It allows officers to come into the core of the campus,” Luna said. “So when there’s an issue within the buildings and the center of campus, they’re able to get there quickly, and because they’re electric motorcycles, there is really nowhere that is off limits.”

The motorcycles are almost silent as they zoom around campus. Three officers have gone through extensive training to be qualified to ride the motorcycles. The officers’ shifts have been stepped up to make sure there is almost always a motorcycle in duty.

They will mainly be used on campus, but have jurisdiction everywhere. The Fresno State department works with Fresno Police, Clovis Police and California Highway Patrol to coordinate student safety.

Stefanie Velasquez, a Fresno State junior, likes the addition to the police department.

“Considering the location of Fresno State and its neighboring residential areas, the purchasing of the electric motorcycles for the department is a step in the right direction,” Velasquez said. “Knowing that the officers can arrive quickly in an emergency situation that could be time sensitive gives me peace of mind.”

Officers are prepared for any emergency situations but their primary tasks will include enforcing the crosswalks, vehicles that roll through stop signs, cell phone use and distracted driving.

“As we see opportunities to be able to reduce our carbon footprint, we’re looking to take advantage because we do see the importance here in the Central Valley,” Luna said.

The department will continue to do its part in helping the Valley air quality when the opportunities arise, Luna said.