By Ken King
Introduction
Bicycle patrol units have become increasingly popular over the past decade.
They have proven to be a cost-effective, efficient, and a meaningful supplement
to traditional patrol techniques. Whether used for high-impact street
enforcement, community problem-solving, public relations, special events,
security details, or other uses, bicycle patrol is here to stay in the new
millennium. Starting or maintaining a bicycle unit can be simplified with
the right knowledge and equipment. This article will outline some thoughts
for your existing bicycle patrol unit or for implementing a unit for the
first time.
Consequently, purchasing the proper equipment is essential. Bicycle
patrol-specific products have been designed, tested, and tailored to fit
the special needs of the patrol cyclist. A quality product will stand up
to the use and abuse, wear and tear, and special demands placed on them.
Many vendors are now several generations into their production, and they
are constantly improving their product quality and durability. Bike patrol
is significantly more demanding than riding a bike for leisure. A serious
patrol cyclist takes into consideration their fitness level, diet and nutrition,
as well as other concerns specific to patrol cycling.
Patrol cyclist-specific products are also designed to be lightweight and
comfortable. Bike patrol officers must spend eight or more hours per day
in the elements--rain, snow, changing temperatures and varying types of terrain.
Having the right products can reduce fatigue, prevent dehydration, minimize
the chance of injuries, and lower the amount of down time from equipment
failure and malfunction.
New products are constantly being developed, and it is critical to research
what is available. Find out from other departments what equipment has worked
well for them, as well as guidelines and recommendations for what hasn't
and why. Some basic recommendations follow below.
Duty Belt
The duty belt itself should be a nylon or synthetic construction. In addition
to being more flexible than leather, these materials can usually be cleaned
with soap and water, and they will dry quickly if dampened from sweat or
rain. Leather products will tend to bleed black dye when they get wet, leaving
a large black dye band on the shirt and pants around the beltline. In addition,
leather tends to dry and crack when repeatedly exposed to moisture. Maintenance
of leather requires constant use of conditioners or softeners when used in
a bicycle patrol function to prevent damage. Better to put the leather belt
in the locker and use nylon or other synthetic belts for patrol cycling
applications.
When purchasing a holster for bicycle patrol, it is best not to deviate from
what is used for motor patrol. You should make the assumption that you may
find yourself in the same types of challenging situations as when you are
on motor patrol. If you have trained your whole career to draw, fire, and
holster from a level three security holster, stick with it. Muscle memory
will take over in a high stress situations. Using a level three high quality
security holster that costs around $120 for daily use, and a single level
bargain basement holster for $30 for bicycle patrol, doesn't make sense.
In addition, a quality holster is more likely to prevent accidental unholstering
during crashes or falls. Consider using the exact make, model, and security
type as what you currently use. Stick with what works best for you and what
you know best.
Flashlights should be compact. A large multi-cell metal flashlight will be
extremely uncomfortable banging against your leg, and is likely to fall off
when trying to overcome obstacles on patrol (stairs, ascents, descents).
Whether rechargeable or not, a smaller, compact light, such as Stinger or
SureFire brands, work well for bike patrol. They are lightweight, durable,
and can be easily secured to the belt. Patrolling in daytime, you may find
yourself in a dark building or basement, and need some type of light. Leaving
the large multi-cell in the car and not carrying a flashlight isn't an option
in anytime of the day or night.
Batons should be compact as well. A collapsible baton works well in bicycle
patrol applications. Not having a baton on your person is not an option if
you ordinarily carry a baton for duty. Same rule of thumb applies for chemical
sprays and tasers. What you train with and have committed to muscle memory
shouldn't change based on car versus bike assignment. Reaching for the baton
that you desperately need that isn't there because you only carry it when
assigned to motor patrol can be devastating. If you carry these items normally,
carry them all the time. That way all the equipment you have come to rely
on will be there should you need them in a difficult situation.
Other considerations include using featherweight handcuffs to shave weight.
Also, carry a radio earpiece and hands-free microphone set similar to those
used on motorcycle patrol. Microphone headsets are available specifically
designed for bicycle patrol applications; you should keep your hands on the
handlebar to prevent accidents and injury. Somersaulting over the handlebars
can cause serious injuries. Emergency room visits from bike accidents are
commonplace. Anything you can do to prevent injury is money well spent.
As important as what equipment you carry on your belt is also where to place
it. Muscle memory will usually dictate what you are likely to do in an emergency
situation. If you normally carry O.C. on your support side while on car patrol,
carry it in the same place while on bike patrol. It doesn't make sense to
wear equipment one way one day, and another way the next. How you train doesn't
change from car to bike assignment. Your duty belt set-up shouldn't change
as well. Regardless of your assignment, your equipment type and how you carry
them, should stay consistent.
Uniform
Uniforms designed for bicycle patrol applications are essential. These specially
designed uniforms are made with comfort, safety, and extra durability in
mind. Most are constructed with Coolmax or other similar fabrics that breathe
and dry quickly when perspiration or rain soaked. In addition, the uniforms
are made of a stretchable material and constructed with special taper and
double thickness where they are likely to rub, to prevent wear and damage.
Most bike patrol-specific uniforms can be ordered with police identifiers
and reflective materials to increase visibility in traffic. To help ensure
that you are seen and recognized as a police officer, you should have a
combination of contrasting colors, retro-reflective materials, and active
lighting on the bicycle itself. Some people may argue that displaying a
reflective "POLICE" decal on the back of a shirt or jacket is an officer
safety hazard. In truth, you are more likely to be struck accidentally as
a result of not being seen by a motorist in traffic than attacked by a suspect.
Note: retro-reflective material only works in a direct lighting situations
(such as from a motorists headlights directly behind you) and will not work
if more than a 2-3 degree offset from the lighting source.
For budget-conscious agencies, bicycle patrol uniforms are available in a
summer and winter uniform combination. Most vendors offer jackets with removable
liners and sleeves, and pants with legs that zip off into shorts. Purchasing
only one uniform that can be used year-round results in significant cost
savings. Many jackets will also double as a rain jacket with water resistant
or repellant materials. Jackets should be large enough to layer clothing
underneath for cold weather cycling.
Helmets, gloves, and eye protection should be mandatory pieces of equipment
to be worn at all times. Helmets are designed to prevent injuries in a crash
or fall. A quality CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) certified helmet
can be purchased starting at $40 and up. Visors help keep rain out of your
eyes and protect from glare. Firearms training with a helmet on is critical,
because helmets can affect prone and other shooting positions, especially
those with visors.
Gloves are important to reducing hand and forearm fatigue. In addition, they
are a second layer of skin for when you fall, not if you fall. Gloves are
available in both open and full finger construction; deciding which to wear
is a matter of personal preference.
Leather patrol gloves don't work well for bicycle patrol applications as
they quickly tend to become perspiration soaked. This will result in cold
hands in cold weather. In addition, leather also can bleed dye onto your
hands. A glove designed to reduce handlebar vibration and that has a
moisture-shedding flexible material is preferred. Whatever glove type is
chosen, bicycle patrol officers should at minimum qualify and receive training
with firearms wearing gloves. Gloves may affect shooting accuracy as well
as trigger control, especially those with thick palm padding.
Eye protection is far more than protecting against sunglare. It also protects
against road and wind debris, rain, and various obstacles that you may encounter
unexpectedly (such as low branches or cables). Many cycling glasses come
with dark, clear, and amber color lenses for various lighting and weather
conditions when cycling. Quality cycling glasses protect against wind irritation
and are constructed with safety in mind to prevent shattering and potential
eye injuries in the event of a serious crash.
To prevent bone, skin (i.e., blisters) and other potential injuries to your
feet, officers should wear shoes designed specifically for bicycle patrol
or cycling. Cycling shoes protect the bottom of your foot from pedal pressure.
Discount and non-cycling shoes will not protect your foot as well, and over
time can cause bone injuries to your foot. Cycling shoes have reflective
materials to assist with visibility and recognized in traffic. They can be
used in both clipless and non-clipless applications. A police-specific designed
shoe usually combines the durability and stiffness of a cycling shoe with
extra sole and interior padding needed for all day wearing, walking, and
running.
Conclusion
Most police agencies wouldn't even consider equipping their police cars with
cheap, inferior equipment from a local discount auto parts store. Likewise,
buying police cyclist equipment from a local department or discount store
will result in increased incidence of injury to police cyclists and pose
officer safety risks that can be easily avoided with proper equipment. Buying
the right uniform and equipment the first time will help prevent injuries,
frustration, and provide the quality and durability demanded by the modern
police cyclist.
Administrators should talk with other departments about their successes and
failures related to uniforms and equipment. In addition, ask uniform and
equipment suppliers about their warranty and obtaining sample items for test
and evaluation purposes. Have officers in the unit try the items, give their
feedback, then make purchases based on your officers evaluations and feedback.
Survey your officers from all ranks of the department to find out who has
cycling experience and ask them to assist with equipment purchases. Their
knowledge and experience in cycling can prove to be invaluable. It doesn't
make sense to give the purchasing responsibility to a command staff member
who isn't a cyclist and doesn't have experience and knowledge of cycling
issues.
It is important to remember that police cyclists face the same dangers as
motor patrol officers. They also face the additional dangers of cycling.
Careful thought and consideration should be given when outfitting a bicycle
patrol unit. Outfitting a bicycle patrol unit appropriately can mean the
difference between being an asset or a potential liability to a police
department.
Ken King has 10 years of law enforcement experience and is currently with
the Lakewood, CO, Police Department. He is a member of and an instructor
for the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA). He can be
reached at ken.king@lakewood.org.
This article appeared in the May 2004 issue of Law & Order magazine. |
