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The Colony bicycle patrol unit started officially in June 1996 with 3 bicycles and 7 certified officers. The Colony now has 6 police bicycles and 11 officers certified to ride a police bike as the need arises. The Colony also has a certified mechanic to keep the bikes operational. Officers assigned to the bicycle patrol use a mountain bike specially designed for bike patrolling. The officers use the bikes to patrol districts, work special events and participate in bicycle safety demonstrations for schools and civic organizations.
New officers assigned to the bicycle patrol are required to complete a 40-hour bicycle training course. Officers are taught bicycle safety, maintenance, riding techniques, firearms training, suspect approach, tactical dismounts and obstacle negotiation along with numerous other bicycle riding techniques.
Bicycle patrols are an effective way to patrol our residential and business communities. 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. Since the bicycle officer is more approachable than one in a patrol car, this is a good example of the department's belief in community policing.
SAFETY TIP - Use your head. Wear a helmet.
- Bicycle helmets reduce your risk of serious head and brain injury by nearly 90%.
- 97% of people killed in bicycle crashes with motor vehicles nationwide were not wearing a helmet.
- Each year, 40,000 children in the U.S. are treated in emergency rooms for head injuries sustained while bicycling.
The Colony Police Department bicycle officers are always happy to answer any questions about the program.
For more information, contact Det. Roy Murray by email or telephone (972) 625-1887 at The Colony Police Department.
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