Parks Patrol Pedalers
By ALEX ZORN, August 3, 2019, Grand Junction Sentinel
Photo: The Grand Junction Police Department's Parks Patrol covers all of the city's parks by bicycle. From left are Paula Labbitt, Pedro Contreras and Benjamin Benedict. They ride 23 to 26 miles each day as ambassadors and frontline people for the Police Department. "The yellow shirts are designed to stand out," said police Sgt. Rich Roquemore. "We want people to come up and talk to them." Gretel Daugherty
Whether the sun is shining, the rain is pouring or snow is filling the streets, the Grand Junction Parks Patrol pedals on. The team, made up of three riders, includes Ben Benedict, Pedro Contreras and Paula Labbitt.
Every day across Grand Junction neighborhoods and parks and at events, the trio can be seen talking to folks as they represent a department that deals with crime throughout the city.
Sgt. Rich Roquemore called the team the ambassadors and frontline people for the Grand Junction Police Department.
"The yellow shirts are designed to stand out," he said. "We want people to come up and talk to them."
According to the Police Department website, officers patrolling on bicycles increase the level of community service by improving enforcement efforts and providing a high-profile presence during special events.
Roquemore said the officers in yellow shirts can be seen at events at Lincoln Park, graduations, and other activities throughout the year.
The Police Department uses the bike officers for parks and riverfront trails, downtown and special enforcement needs.
The Parks Patrol staff are not enforcement officers (except for parking), but the Police Department uses bikes for different police-related activity in town. Cops don't wear yellow shirts, but they may ride bikes for stealth investigations, because the bikes provide a great tool for officers to get to a crime scene unnoticed.
Bicycle officers handle all types of calls for service, but they may call for assistance from other patrol units in situations that cannot be handled safely on a bike.
Roquemore said bikes can be an excellent eyes-on tool for officers. He said over the years he's seen burglary cases and other serious investigations made by an officer on a bicycle.
However, the Parks Patrol staff is used more as a community engagement tool.
"We have the opportunity to form perception" of the Police Department to engage with the public," department spokeswoman Heidi Davidson said. "The public doesn't easily differentiate between you and a patrol officer."
Parks Patrol officers ride 23 to 26 miles each day, along with four to five miles of walking a day for those on parking patrol.
"These guys are in some of the best shape" in the department, Roquemore said.
Ben Benedict said that he served as a park ranger for seven years before joining the Parks Patrol.
He sees the opportunity as a great chance to meet different people in the community while gaining valuable experience.
He hopes to one day be a school resource officer.
"A lot of it was wanting to work with the people here," said Pike Patrol officer Paula Labbitt, on why she joined the team. "It provides real life experience in dealing with the public."
Roquemore said serving as a bike patrol officer can be a great stepping stone for those wanting to pursue a career in law enforcement.
"Several Parks Patrol officers go on to become patrol officers," he said.
Former Grand Junction Police Cmdr. Andy Martinez, who retired from the department after 41 years, was the first member of Parks Patrol when it started, he said.
"A lot of enforcement is visibility," Davidson added. "Just having them ride around helps people know to fill the meter."