Truro Police Roll Out Bike Patrol
Truro police roll out bike patrol
By Raissa Tetanish
Truro Daily News, June 5, 2013
TRURO - Residents here will see more of their police officers as they head out on bike patrols.
Const. Derrick King volunteered for bike patrol with the Truro Police Service this summer and co-ordinated another three officers to take on the project as well.
“We’ll be able to go to spots that our patrol vehicles don’t get to go to, such as the trails in Victoria Park,” said King, who has been with the department for the past two years. “One, it’s good for public relations, and two, we get to interact with the public more.
“Believe it or not, crime happens in Victoria Park in parts where the vehicles can’t go.”
Since 1994, the Truro Police Service has had bike patrol, however, Chief Dave MacNeil said this is the first summer in a couple of years that it has been really formalized.
“Our experience with bike patrols has always been positive,” said MacNeil. “It engages the community. When the officers are out, there is a barrier with the call, with the windows for example. This way, the officers are in the open and they can talk to the people, they can hear things that are going on, and even smell things. They will have a better sense of what’s happening.”
King and Const. Thomas Whidden both have an interest in biking and wanted to be a part of the patrol unit.
“It really is a good way to interact with the people in the community,” said Whidden, who joined the department a year ago. “It’s a good way to get to know people.”
Officers patrolling on the Giant Boulder SE bicycles will respond to a variety of calls. There will be one officer on bike patrol on every shift.
“We’ll respond to all areas of the town that are accessible,” said Whidden.
“Anything and everything,” King added, noting the officers on bike patrol will mainly be in the downtown area.
Having been assigned to bike patrol with a member of the Calgary Police Service before moving to Truro, King wanted to continue on here.
“When I arrived here in 2010, I saw the bikes in the locker here,” he said. “It’s a change of pace for the officers.”
While on bike patrol, officers will still be in police-issued uniforms, including helmet, bike patrol pants and a dry-fit shirt.
“People will see them out in the community more. They’ll be patrolling places such as the skate park, Riverfront Park, Cobequid Trail ... any pathways around town,” MacNeil said.
The bike patrol program started with Whidden’s and King’s first ride in the community on Tuesday.