The two-wheeled cadre of public safety officers have been around since the early 2000s.

The police department has had bike patrol since late 2000. The fire department has had it since about 2002.

While the bicycles are an added benefit in duty performance, they also are a public relations tool.

Police

Stealth and accessibility are two key components for the police department’s bike patrol. Officers can access areas where cruisers or... [Read More]

Well over a century ago a man by the name of John Kemp Starley produced a contraption called the “Rover.” In the early 20th century officers began using Starley’s machine to help patrol their jurisdictions. They were much like Selma Police Department’s most recent program to be reinstated – the bike patrol.

Before some officers could hit the streets they had to begin their training.

“When the department was talking about the bike patrol training, I thought about... [Read More]

The City of Pittsburgh will be hosting the G-20 Summit, September 20 thru 26th 2009. The City of Pittsburgh is trying to recruit Law Enforcement officers to assist with the summit. I would like to compile a list of bike officers interested in assisting the city with its law enforcement needs. Once the list is complete, I will forward it to the proper chain of command. Also, any bike officers who have experience with policing the G-20 summit or the WTO, please let me know. Does anyone have... [Read More]

When Brighton police officers Jose Caraballo and Renee Stickles rode their bikes into the parking lot of Tops Market one recent afternoon, they were immediately approached by a resident asking for help.

Cory Templar, of Rochester, walked over to the two officers and told them about a dog that had been left in its owner's car with the windows only slightly cracked open.

"I just figured that can't be good for the dog," said Templar, 30.

... [Read More]

Efforts to make a more bike-friendly community continue in Brookings, and the local police department recently got a boost in its ability to patrol the town via pedal power. 'Safe' training

A Safe Routes to School grant recently paid for bike patrol training for two Brookings police officers. The weeklong International Police Mountain Bike Association training was held in Vermillion this spring.

The grant also paid for one new bike for an officer to use on the... [Read More]