Cop cycles spruced up

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Turks and Caicos Weekly News, April 11, 2016

POLICE bicycles have been fixed up and fitted out to help improve community policing.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force Community Policing Unit had bicycles repaired and improved with new gadgets on Monday (April 4).

The work was carried out by the Turks and Caicos Islands Hotel and Tourism Association (TCIHTA) and representative Stacy Cox handed over the new and improved bikes to police commissioner James Smith.

Commissioner Smith said: "I am delighted that TCIHTA continues to support the police as we seek to ensure we maximise our visibility in the communities we serve.

"The use of bicycles allows our officers to patrol in a way that they can interact with people, particularly in our tourist areas and are accessible to them.

"As we deliver more patrolling officers, these bicycles will ensure offices are mobile, visible and responsive.”

The bikes were fitted out with sirens and flashing lights as well as helmets and gloves for the officers who will be riding them to patrol Grace Bay and the Lower Bight.

Assistant superintendent Hilton Duncan said: "Bicycles help the police interact more with the public.

"Unlike patrolling in vehicles, persons can stop the police and speak to them.

"Also, on a bicycle, common obstacles are easily cleared. It’s faster to stop, manipulate the bike over a fence, and then ride on.

"Therefore, it makes it easier for the police to get to areas that a vehicle cannot access.”