Mesa police will shell out about $500,000 to replace its aged fleet of 21 motorcycles, and while the city continues to struggle financially, Sgt. Ed Wessing said the bikes won't cost taxpayers a dime.

The half-million-dollar price tag will be paid entirely from Racketeer Influenced Corrupt Organizations funds, or RICO funds, collected through the forfeiture of assets tied to various crimes.

"We have to make sure we have vehicles for these officers to do their jobs," said Wessing, a police spokesman and former motor-patrol officer. "It's important to have vehicles that are going to be safe and dependable."

Historically, the department has used a Kawasaki 1000 P, which has largely remained unchanged since it was introduced in the 1970s.

"Incidents where there were very serious conditions and collisions could be related to the lack of ABS and poor lighting," Wessing said. "Those were the major safety downfalls of those motorcycles."

Technology and safety features, such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), on the new Kawasaki Concours', which will replace the 1000 P, mean officers will be able stop their bikes within half the distance.

The department hoped to upgrade its aging motorcycle fleet last year, but severe budget issues forced city officials to freeze all new vehicle purchases citywide, Wessing said.

As months ticked by, Motor Unit Sgt. Cory Calkins approached Sgt. Bryan Soller, president of the local and state chapters of the Fraternal Order of Police.

The department began seeking alternative funding sources for the bikes, which Soller said are a must for officer safety.

"There's a lot of new technology for these bikes that makes it that much safer for these officers," he said.

Motor-patrol officers are responsible for traffic patrol and seek speeders, conduct DUI enforcement, accident investigations and other duties.

"There's an advantage over being inside a police car," Soller said. Bikes can easily travel between snarled traffic and can catch up with suspect vehicles much faster.

The department should receive the new bikes early next year. Included in the $500,000 price tag are new helmets with state-of-the-art communications systems, police lighting and sirens, and custom collision bars, which should protect the bike from significant damage should it be dropped on its side.

"It's expensive, but one officer going down in an accident that can be avoided would cost a lot more," Soller said.

Some of the old bikes will be used for training motor-patrol officers, Wessing said. Others will be placed into the city's fleet bound for auction.