Back to School: Police Officers Get Special Training
Fox 28 News. Updated: Tuesday, June 10, 2014, 09:22 PM EDT COLUMBUS (Dawn Faugl)
Police on bikes are often seen during the summer, and at events throughout the season, but being an officer on two-wheels isn't easy.
Delaware police held a week-long bike school, hosting officers from around the state for training. This year, 34 officers from 24 departments learned to ride all over again.
"There's a lot more to it when it comes to riding a bike for law enforcement purposes," Mike McCaskey from the Dublin police department told ABC 6/FOX 28. Officers go through drills, learning how to navigate obstacles slowly, like they would have to do in a crowd.
"We have to slow the bike riders down to the point where they're slower than most people walk," Bob Hatcher from Delaware police said. The officers also learn safe ways to take down bad guys from a bike, using the bike as a tool, and also being able to get off of it quickly and safely, while staying on their feet. Just like any police work, trainers say it's about developing instincts. "When a stressful situation comes about, they rely on their training."
Watch the video: http://www.myfox28columbus.com/shared/news/features/top-stories/stories/wsyx_back-school-bike-patrol-officers-get-special-training-32308.shtml