2002 IPMBA Police Bike Operations
Survey Results
(106 Surveys Returned) (print
this page)
How long have you been a police officer:
14% 0 - 5 years
29% 6 - 10 years
23% 11 - 15 years
11% 16 - 20 years
22% 21+ years
How long have you been a police cyclist:
31% 0 - 3 years
32% 4 - 6 years
34% 7 - 10 years
4% 11+ years
How many days do you ride each year?
23% 1 - 5 days
10% 6 - 20 days
25% 21 - 60 days
12% 61 - 120 days
15% 121 - 180 days
10% 181 - 240 days
6% 241 - 365 days
How many sworn officers does your department have:
6% 1 - 10 officers
47% 11 - 50 officers
14% 51 - 100 officers
8% 101 - 150 officers
6% 151 - 250 officers
6% 251 - 500 officers
3% 501 - 1000 officers
9% 1000+ officers
How many active cyclists does your department have:
72% 1 - 10 active cyclists
25% 11 - 50 active cyclists
2% 51 - 100 active cyclists
1% 101+ active cyclists
MAINTENANCE
Which method of bike maintenance and repair does your department use:
32% In-house mechanic
56% Bike shop contract
3% Other
9% Both an in-house mechanic and the bike shop
PRE-SELECTION STANDARDS
Does your department require medical clearance prior to engaging in bike
patrol duties?
25% Yes
75% No
Does your department require a fitness test prior to selection:
23% Yes
77% No
TRAINING
What type of training does your department require:
2% None
84% IPMBA
2% LEBA
2% POST
10% Either IPMBA or LEBA
Does your department have refresher training? If so, how often?
69% No
31% Yes (of these, 65% have a one-day refresher, 20% train twice each year,
7% train one day each month, 3% train once every two months, and 3% train
quarterly)
Are you required to meet an in-service bicycle fitness standard?
87% No
13% Yes (of these, 50% use the Cooper Institute fitness norms and 50% use
the Three Mile Time Trial standard. One department uses a combination of
the two.)
Does your department provide you with bicycle specific training in the areas
of:
Defensive Tactics:
51% Yes
49% No
Firearms Training:
62% Yes
38% No
Nutrition Education:
33% Yes
66% No
Scenario Training:
44% Yes
56% No
INJURIES
Have you incurred injury while on the job or training on a bicycle in
the past year?
79% Yes
21% No
If so, what type of injuries did you sustain?*
67% Minor skin abrasions, bruises, lacerations
7% Major skin injuries (stitches, scar, re-constructive surgery)
18% Muscle sprains, strains, tears
4% Connective tissue, tendon, ligament injury, strain, tear
4% Bone injury, joint dislocation, fracture, break
1% Other
*123 total injuries were reported out of 82 affirmative responses indicating
multiple injuries for some riders.
Have you been struck by a motor vehicle in the past year?
11% Yes
If any of the abovelisted injuries/injuries caused by being struck by
a motor vehicle resulted in time off work, please specify the injury and
the length of time off work.
50% sustained no injury
33% sustained minor injuries
17% sustained significant injury
If any of the abovelisted injuries/injuries caused by being struck by
a motor vehicle resulted in time on light or restricted duty, please specify
the injury and the length of time on light or restricted duty.
17% were off work or on light duty for 1 - 6 days.
50% were off work or on light duty for 1 - 6 weeks.
33% didn't miss any work or were never on light duty.
LETHAL FORCE INCIDENTS
Eight new lethal force incidents were discovered, including one shooting,
one foot pursuit ending in the suspect presenting a weapon, and six incidents
in which suspects intentionally tried to strike an officer with a motor vehicle.
PURSUITS WITH MOTOR VEHICLES
30% of all responders reported vehicle pursuits.
In respect to the vehicle pursuit, what was the charge, if known? (e.g.,
felony flee and elude, misdemeanor fail to obey police order, etc.)
44% were charged with felony fleeing & eluding an officer.
22% were charged with evading arrest or resisting/obstructing an officer.
One was charged with misdemeanor fail to obey an officer.
22% were caught but not charged with any fleeing-related charges.
7% of the suspects got away and were not charged with anything.
In respect to the vehicle pursuit, what was the the court disposition,
if known? (e.g., plea bargain to misdemeanor fail to obey, guilty felony
flee and elude, etc.)
50% were found guilty as charged.
13% were offered a plea bargain involving a lesser charge.
9% had the fleeing related charges dismissed altogether.
25% of those cases were still ongoing.
One disposition was unknown.
Specific questions regarding the results of this survey may be directed to
IPMBA Secretary Kathleen Vonk (Ann Arbor Police Department) at
kvonk@ci.ann-arbor.mi.us. (c)
2002 International Police Mountain Bike Association. |
