Bicycle Patrol

Increasingly law enforcement agencies in the Metroplex are recognizing the many benefits of bicycle patrols. A successful arrest rate and increased citizen contact, combined with low maintenance costs, are some of the reasons why bicycle patrol appeals to police departments and citizens alike. The Colony bicycle patrol unit started officially in June 1996 with 3 police bicycles and 7 officers who ride the bicycles part-time. Bike officers can travel faster and farther than officers on foot, and they are able to patrol areas that patrol cars can't reach. Bicycles give officers the advantage of stealth, because they can silently ride right up to a crime before they are noticed. Part of the appeal of bicycle patrol is that an officer on a bike is much more approachable than one in a patrol car. Bicycle patrol gets back to the basics of community policing.

The Colony Police Department previously used only Raleigh 18-speed mountain bikes equipped with front red and blue strobe lights and a rear flashing light. Later, they acquired 3 Smith & Wesson Tactical Mountain bikes. The average expense of a fully equipped mountain bike is $925 with annual maintenance cost less than $100. There are currently 8 officers that are involved in the bicycle patrol program.

IPMBA (International Police Mountain Bike Association) has developed a standardized training course that is utilized by departments nationwide, including The Colony's. The course is necessary for the officers and covers bicycle handling skills, night operations, bicycle maintenance, emergency maneuvers, nutrition, group riding, and other important topics. All of The Colony bicycle patrol officers attend a week long bicycle patrol school and take national police cyclist written and road tests. One of the goals of The Colony bicycle patrol unit is to operate a full-time bicycle patrol division with bike officers on the streets 24 hours a day during specific times of the year

For the past several years The Colony Police Department has been represented by officers participating in the Law Enforcement Olympics, an event that is held yearly, and has a participation from all over the State of Texas. In 1998, the event was held in Addison, Texas. Officers Tim Goodwin (no longer with the department) and Ricky Hale represented the department and successfully won gold medals in three events. They also attended the Olympic event held in 1999 in Abilene, Texas. Again, they won gold medals in events such as the 100-yard sprint, team relay event, and the obstacle course event.

The Texas Police Games, which is sponsored by the Texas Police Athletic Federation was held in 2001 in Lubbock, Texas. Lt. Ricky Hale competed in the Police Mountain Bike and Off Road Mountain Bike competitions. The games were held from June 18th through the 22nd. Lt. Hale had a personal goal of medaling in all events and wanted to bring home the GOLD this year. Lt. Hale was the only officer from The Colony Police Department attending the games. The events are broken down into age categories, which puts Lt. Hale in the senior masters group. This year the competition was tough with approximately 10 officers from other agencies and neighboring states competing in his age group. The Police Bike events that Lt. Hale competed in were the 100-yard sprint, the obstacle course and the 1.2-mile team relay. The off road mountain bike race consisted of 5 laps around a 2 mile single track, off road mountain bike course.

Lt. Ricky Hale was able to capture two gold medals. One in the 100-yard sprint and a second gold in the team relay. He partnered with Joel Schooler from the Houston Police Department in the team relay. Lt. Hale took forth in the obstacle course and fifth in the off-road mountain bike competition.

The Colony Police Department bicycle officers are always happy to answer any questions about the program. For more information, contact Lt. Hale at The Colony Police Department 972-625-1887.