Police put pedal power to good use
By ROBERT CRAWFORD, Nov. 1, 2013, 6 a.m., South Coast Register
THE boys in blue have a new crime-fighting tool – the Shoalhaven Local Area Police Command’s Bicycle Patrol Unit.
Local residents can expect to see “cops on bikes” on a regular basis in around the Nowra CBD and other areas throughout the command. The local command is the only one between Wollongong and the Victorian border that has a bike squad.
To become fully operational a local command must have two qualified officers to form a unit.
Senior Constable Paul Nancekivell, who is based at Berry, and Senior Constable Craig Thompson, from the Huskisson station, form the local unit.
Senior Constable Nancekivell has been qualified as a police cyclist for some time, while Senior Constable Thompson recently undertook a five-day intensive training course at Goulburn to gain his qualifications.
“To be able to have a bicycle patrol unit you need to have two qualified members,” Senior Constable Nancekivell said. “Pushbike officers aren’t allowed to be on patrol by themselves, we have to be two up to be operational. And now that Craig has his qualifications we can take to the streets.”
Senior Constable Nancekivell said the unit provided another tool for the local command. “We are highly visible and can get into places more easily that may prove difficult for other police vehicles,” he said.
“If we are in any town area on patrol we can quickly and easily respond to any situation that may arise. A bicycle unit has a number of advantages, firstly we are on the road and it is easy for us to stop, question or search people as required. It is also a talking point, having a bike often breaks down the barriers. People stop us for a chat and are interested in what we are doing. And we’re happy to do that.”
The two officers ride two Hawk mountain bikes designed specifically for operational policing. The Hawk was developed by the NSW Police Force Bicycle Training and Co-ordination Unit and produced by Hillbrick Bikes, an Australian-owned company.
“They are built for all sort of rigours,” Senior Constable Thompson said. “Part of our training is to learn how to ride bikes down multiple sets of stairs at a time and jump gutters as required and that’s what these bikes are designed to do.”
Senior Constable Nancekivell said he could see a great application for the unit, especially in some of the outlying villages at holiday time. “It allows us to get out among the residents and holiday makers,” he said.
He said any areas that would be interested in having the Bicycle Patrol Unit visit could contact Nowra Police Station on 4421 9699 for further information.