BICYCLE PATROL Model Policy Effective Date Number April 2014 Subject Bicycle Patrol Reference Special Instructions Distribution Reevaluation Date No. Pages 3 I. PURPOSE ically afforded by a motor vehicle would It is the purpose of this policy to provide guidance on be dangerous. Response to such situa - the use, utility, and deployment of police bicycles and tions may be permitted where exigent the general management of police bicycle operations. 1 circumstances exist and motorized units are not readily available, or as back up where patrol vehicles are already on II. POLICY scene. Bicycle patrol officers, also referred to as police c. Police cyclists may be used for targeted cyclists, are an important component of this depart - patrol operations based on specific crimes, ment’s strategy for accomplishing its enforcement geographic areas, or crime targets. objectives due to their mobility and stealth, as well as d. Police cyclists may be given preference their ability to facilitate a variety of law enforcement where appropriate in response to the fol - and crime prevention operations. lowing: (1) Off-road emergencies, to include search and rescue, enforcement, and preventive III. PROCEDURES patrol as required on trails designated A. Deployment for nature walks; mountain bike use; 1. Police bicycles are intended for and their use is horses; and/or walking, hiking, and bik - authorized to conduct the following primary ing. deployment functions: (2) Medical emergencies, if police cyclists a. Police cyclists may be dispatched to or may are properly equipped and trained, and initiate response to all calls for service in if their proximity and/or response time which their response time is comparable to to the incident may be advantageous. or better than that of a motorized patrol (3) Incidents in which the location or the vehicle, unless otherwise indicated by this volume of vehicle and/or pedestrian policy. traffic may inhibit the response of police b. Police cyclists should not normally be dis - motor vehicles. patched or initiate response to incidents in (4) Special events, such as parades, festivals, which their reduced emergency equipment fairs, runs/races, sports, and other capabilities (e.g., emergency warning indoor and outdoor events. devices) may present service problems or (5) Demonstrations, events that attract pro - dangers. These include but are not limited testors, and other crowd situations. to (6) Disaster situations in which movement (1) traffic accidents in which a vehicle is not by conventional motorized emergency moveable; response vehicles is limited or impossi - (2) high-risk felony motor vehicle stops; and ble. (3) situations in which the lack of cover typ - e. Police cyclists may initiate traffic stops, giv - prisoner. ing particular attention to motorist and offi - (1) A police cyclist shall not secure a prison - cer safety. er to an object and leave him or her unat - (1) Physical contact with a moving vehicle is tended, unless an emergency exists that not recommended unless exigent or requires immediate action by the police related emergency circumstances dictate. cyclist. (2) Police bicycles should be kept out of traf - (2) The police cyclist shall respond to the fic and should not be positioned in front appropriate facility to process the of or behind the stopped vehicle. When arrestee at the earliest convenience or in possible, the bicycle should be placed on accordance with normal procedure. the ground next to the vehicle. h. When leaving bicycles unattended, police (3) Bicycle patrol officers are encouraged to cyclists shall, whenever possible, do the fol - make passenger side approaches and to lowing: utilize available cover when present. (1) Secure their bicycles with a locking (4) Marked patrol units should be requested device to an immovable stationary object where appropriate to provide emergency in an easily monitored location unless lighting and cover from traffic. engaged in emergency situations, such as 2. The deployment of police cyclists is subject to foot pursuits, that preclude this require - the following procedures. ment. a. Prior to initiating bicycle patrol, police (2) Take reasonable precautions to ensure cyclists shall inspect their equipment to that the bicycle does not obstruct pedes - ensure that it is in proper working order. If trian or vehicular traffic. a problem is discovered that the police i. If minor damage to the bicycle is sustained cyclist cannot fix, notice shall be given to during the shift, the police cyclist shall noti - the shift supervisor. fy the shift supervisor by the end of the b. Police cyclists and supervisors shall exer - shift. If substantial damage to the bike or cise discretion in determining whether or injury to the officer or a civilian is sus - not to use a bicycle on patrol when exces - tained, the bicycle patrol officer shall imme - sively high or low temperatures or other diately notify the shift supervisor and weather conditions may make the use of request appropriate medical assistance. bicycles inadvisable or hazardous. j. When not in use, all police bicycle equipment c. While operating a bicycle, bicycle patrol shall be stored and locked in the designated officers should wear an approved helmet, area. shatter-resistant protective eyewear, and 3. Police cyclists shall utilize their department cycling gloves and utilize approved pedal bicycles for off-duty assignments only with a retention devices. commander’s prior approval. d. While patrolling at night, unless employing B. Personnel Selection stealth, police cyclists should use lights that 1. In order to reduce the risk of exercise-induced meet the legal mandate or current standard medical problems, pre-screening of candidates for public safety cycling, whichever is is recommended. greater, and any legally mandated reflective 2. Any physical fitness testing should be conduct - equipment and high-visibility attire. ed by a qualified fitness and/or medical pro - e. Whenever possible, police cyclists should fessional. give an audible warning of their approach C. Training from the rear, maintain reasonable speeds, 1. Selected officers must attend and pass a nation - and exercise caution when patrolling on ally recognized and standardized basic police sidewalks and other locations where pedes - cycling course. trians are present. They should not operate 2. Advanced and specialty training is authorized where prohibited by local ordinance, unless only for those who have attended the standard emergency circumstances dictate other - basic course and who demonstrate above-aver - wise. age competency. All advanced and specialized f. When possible, police cyclists shall notify training shall be authorized in accordance with communications of all potential enforce - the department selection application policy ment contacts, to include their exact loca - and as dictated by operational objectives. tion. 3. Documented, periodic training is required; g. In arrest situations, police cyclists shall quarterly training is highly recommended. request a motorized transport unit for the Training can be refresher to advanced, as deter - 2 mined by the unit supervisor in conjunction with a qualified instructor. Acknowledgment 4. Any bike officer who is absent from bike patrol This document was developed by the IACP National for an extended period should be evaluated by Law Enforcement Policy Center in cooperation with the a qualified instructor. Based upon the instruc - International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) tor’s assessment, refresher training ranging and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). from an 8-hour course to a 32-hour course should be provided. Every effort has been made by the IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center staff and advisory board to ensure that this model policy incorporates the IV. PERSONNEL RESPONSIBILITIES most current information and contemporary professional judgment on this issue. However, law enforcement administrators should be cautioned that no “model” A. Bicycle Unit Supervisor policy can meet all the needs of any given law enforcement agency. Each law The unit supervisor shall oversee recruitment, pre- enforcement agency operates in a unique environment of federal court rulings, state laws, local ordinances, regulations, judicial and administrative decisions and col - qualification, training (initial and ongoing), lective bargaining agreements that must be considered. In addition, the formulation cycling standards, uniforms and equipment, main - of specific agency policies must take into account local political and community tenance, and deployment. The unit supervisor perspectives and customs, prerogatives and demands; often divergent law enforce - ment strategies and philosophies; and the impact of varied agency resource capa - shall ensure the following: bilities among other factors. 1. All bicycle-mounted operations are conducted in accordance with this policy. 2. All prospective bicycle unit members complete the screening process and are selected accord - This project was supported by Grant No. 2010-DJ-BX-K002 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance. The Bureau of Justice Assistance is a component of the ing to the established criteria. Office of Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the 3. Bicycle patrol officers sign for, maintain, and National Institute of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Office for Victims of Crime, and the Office of Sex Offender are held accountable