La Crosse bike patrol training gives officers opportunity to erase negative policing stigma
by Tyler Job, News 8000, June 1, 2021
Photo: La Crosse Police Department
Watch the video: https://www.news8000.com/la-crosse-bike-patrol-training-gives-officers-opportunity-to-erase-negative-policing-stigma/
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – La Crosse police officers are taking on an extra duty to protect the community and make some more allies.
Seven officers are spending the day doing bike patrol training.
The officers spend about half the year from April to October patrolling the community on two wheels.
There’s a reason why some officers are choosing to bike instead of just drive.
“Seeing us in a car is not the most approachable way,” patrol officer Dakota Marcon said.
Which is why Marcon signed up for the bike patrol.
“Seeing us on a bike, we’re just like every other person out there.”
Marcon has been a patrol officer with La Crosse police for two years, and a first-time officer on a bike.
“This is just kind of an added position that I can utilize with my regular patrol duties,” Marcon said.
The vehicle he controls will have two wheels instead of four.
“You’re sitting for 12 hours (in a car), so it’s nice to be able to bike around once in a while,” Marcon said.
But his main duty doesn’t change.
“Just want to chit-chat with the community and make sure everyone is OK,” Marcon said.
Communication is the best tool these police bikers have, Lt. Phil Martin said.
“You’re still a police officer,” Martin said. “You still have all those other responsibilities.”
Officers patrol in groups of two in areas where you wouldn’t find squad cars like parks, trails and neighborhoods, a valuable duty that sometimes comes with an additional risk, Martin said.
“People aren’t always looking for bicycles when they’re traveling,” Martin said.
And these officers aren’t on their typical bike ride while on duty.
“We’re kind of taking tight turns, and doing a little bit of quick brakes,” Marcon said. “Something that you may need to do when you help someone or chase after someone like that.”
Marcon said he hasn’t had to chase anyone yet.
“We’re just bikers out here,” he said. “We don’t have that mean demeanor that people think when they see a cop car.”
These cops instead are armed with a positive attitude and the gear to keep the community safe.
The police department has about 30 officers on bike patrol, Martin said.
Officers are also training from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.