Mesa Police Department Bike Unit
The Beginning
The Mesa Police Department Bike
Unit began in September of 1991. The six month pilot program started with six officers and
one sergeant. The Department now has Bike Officers in each of the four districts.
Bikes officers include the
School
Resource Officers (SRO).
What
do bike officers do?
The Bike Unit is the visible
community policing arm of the patrol district. Operating as a patrol squad, Bike Officers
are responsible for the following activities:
- Patrol high crime
areas
- Assist
patrol in answering calls for service
- Assisting
with Community Policing projects
The Bike Unit is one of the patrol
districts prominent community resources. Bike Officers regularly engage in community
related activities including:
- Sex Offender
Community Notifications
- Public
Safety Fairs
- Citizen
Academy Presentations
- Community
Meetings / Block Watch
- Neighborhood
Based Clean-ups
- City
Sponsored Festivals and Parades
- Other
Community Events
Benefits of Bike Patrol:
Bike patrols have several
advantages over traditional police patrol.
- Bicycles are
an excellent Community Policing tool. Officers on bikes are viewed as much more
approachable, thus improving trust and relations between the citizens and police.
- Bike
Officers are able to be proactive in fighting crime, rather than reactive. Officers work
closely with citizens and other departments to address concerns before they become
problems.
- Bike patrols
are cost effective. Purchase and maintenance costs are less than patrol vehicles.
- Bicycles
give officers a "stealth" advantage. They are quieter, smaller and can go places
that are not accessible to patrol vehicles.
 Equipment
All officers use multi-speed
mountain bikes with front suspension. The band and models vary but the majority of bikes
are made by Specialized or GT. The bicycles are equipped with lights for
night riding, a rack, and a bag to carry equipment.Officers
are issued helmets, gloves, bicycling shoes, water carrier, and summer and winter
uniforms.
Speed and Training
Bike Officers are sworn police
officers who have successfully completed the police academy, field training program and
probationary period (usually 1and 1/2 years). The officer must then apply for the position,
be interviewed, and complete a physical agility test. If selected the officer will be put
through a 10 hour familiarization class and will eventually attend the 40 hour department
bike school. The following is some of the training Bike Officers receive:
- Bicycle Handling
- Emergency Maneuvers
- On and Off Road
Riding
- Equipment Maintenance
& Repair
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