Boca Raton Police Bicycle Patrol Program PDF

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 41.13 BICYCLE PATROL PROGRAM Revised: November 1, 2007 I. OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives of the Bicycle Patrol Program are as follows: A. Supplement the patrol function in those areas of the city that are difficult to service...

BOCA RATON POLICE SERVICES DEPARTMENT Standard Operating Procedure 41.13 BICYCLE PATROL PROGRAM Revised: November 1, 2007 I. OBJECTIVES: The primary objectives of the Bicycle Patrol Program are as follows: A. Supplement the patrol function in those areas of the city that are difficult to service in vehicles. B. Increase the visibility of police officers in both business and residential areas of the City of Boca Raton. C. Provide more personal contact between members of the community and members of the Boca Raton Police Services Department. II. ADMINISTRATION: A. The administration of the Bicycle Patrol Program will be the responsibility of the Field Services Division commander, who will designate a supervisor to oversee the Program. III. INSTRUCTIONS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE, AND LIMITATIONS OF USAGE: A. The Bicycle Patrol Program functions include, but are not limited to, the following: 14.02 1. Become familiar with the business owners and residents in designated patrol areas. 2. Act as a liaison between shop owners, residents, and members of the Department. B. 3. Answer calls for service. 4. Provide any enforcement action that may be necessary. Participation in the Bicycle Patrol Program shall be voluntary. 1. Assignment to the Bicycle Patrol Program will be considered temporary duty. Effective: April 19, 2002 Revised: November 1, 2007 Bicycle Patrol Program SOP No. 41.13 Page 1 of 6 2. Members of the Department who have been properly trained will be used as needed. 14.02 3. All officers that are assigned for a shift are subject to recall to their original assignment by their supervisor. 4. All officers, who are assigned to ride a shift of more than 3 hours, but less than 5 hours, will be allowed to have one 30-minute break. 5. In the event that an officer is unable to cover his/her assigned bike patrol detail, it is the officer’s responsibility to ensure that another bike-certified officer covers the detail. C. The Bicycle Patrol Program is a highly visible, high public contact patrol. Therefore, bicycle patrol officers shall conduct themselves accordingly. D. Officers assigned to the Bicycle Patrol Program will check with the on-duty supervisor to verify their daily assignment. E. Patrol areas on which to concentrate will be posted based on requests from the district commanders and staff that may include the following: F. 1. Auto burglaries within certain residential or commercial areas 2. Robberies in certain plazas during specific hours 3. Residential burglaries 4. Assistance with problem-oriented policing projects. Bicycle officers may ride in plain clothes depending on the request from the supervisor. G. Bicycle officers will concentrate on beach park areas during weekends and holidays and on shopping areas during evening hours, unless specifically directed otherwise by a supervisor. H. The only personnel authorized to operate a Department-owned bicycle are personnel meeting the provisions herein. 14.02 I. In situations where it is necessary to stop a vehicle, Communications will be notified, a patrol unit will be dispatched, and the bicycle officer will attempt to maintain visual contact. J. Whenever there are four or more officers on Bike Patrol, they will divide into groups of two, unless otherwise ordered by the Bicycle Patrol supervisor or his/her designee. K. In case of inclement weather, the bicycle patrol officer will seek shelter until the weather clears. If inclement weather persists, the supervisor or his/her designee, may choose to have the officers patrol in a marked unit as needed. Effective: April 19, 2002 Revised: November 1, 2007 Bicycle Patrol Program SOP No. 41.13 Page 2 of 6 IV. SELECTION CRITERIA: A. The appointed Field Services Bureau Commander or his/her designee shall determine the number of officers assigned to the Bicycle Patrol Program and the hours of operation. B. Because of the strenuous nature of the activity, a high priority for selection to the program shall be the physical fitness of the individual. High levels of physical fitness will help reduce the risk of injury to the officers. C. Selection criteria include: 14.02 1. Applicant’s most recent performance evaluation must be at least ‘Exceeds Expectations’. V. 2. Ability to work in extreme weather conditions 3. Ability to pass the designated Police Mountain Bike Training Course 4. Ability to ride while on duty 5. Availability of properly fitted equipment 6. Available opening on a specific shift or district. TRAINING: A. All officers selected to join the Program will receive a minimum of eight (8) hours of training by an instructor who has attended the IPMBA Police Cyclist Course before deployment, that shall include the following riding techniques: 14.02 1. Power-slides 2. Take downs 3. Stair climb and descents 4. Curb hopping 5. Slalom 6. Evasive actions, cornering 7. Off-road patrolling. B. Because patrolling on a bicycle does require traveling in extreme traffic conditions, it is important that the Bicycle Patrol officer become proficient in safe cycling. 14.02 Effective: April 19, 2002 Revised: November 1, 2007 Bicycle Patrol Program SOP No. 41.13 Page 3 of 6 C. The Bicycle Patrol supervisor and Division Commander must approve all advanced training. VI. REPAIR, MAINTENANCE, AND STORAGE: A. All officers are required to properly care for and maintain all issued equipment, including, but not limited to: 14.02 1. Brake adjustment 2. Chain care and lubrication 3. Wheel truing 4. Flat tire repair. B. Bicycle Patrol Officers will conduct daily safety checks on their bicycles and will adhere to all traffic rules and regulations. Before each use, the officer will inspect the bicycle and additional equipment to verify that it is in proper working order. 14.02 1. The inspection should include the tire pressure, brakes, frame, gear shifters, derailleurs, steering, and safety equipment. 2. Any equipment found to be in need of repair will be taken out of service immediately. The Program Supervisor will be notified of any needed repairs. 3. Damage to any City bicycle shall be reported to the Program Supervisor or onduty Supervisor immediately. C. Emergency repairs will not need a supervisor’s approval; i.e. flat tire, broken chain. However, the bicycle coordinator must pre-approve all other repairs and/or equipment requests. D. shop. All major repairs of City-owned bicycles will be performed at the contracted bicycle repair 1. Officers will take the bike to be repaired to the contracted Bicycle Shop after receiving an approved work order from the supervisor of the Bike Program, or any supervisor in the case of emergency repairs. 2. Properly trained officers may perform minor repairs. E. The bicycle officer will take the bicycle and equipment home. Bicycle officers may not leave their bicycles at the Department for an extended time without prior approval of the Bicycle Program supervisor. 1. Only bicycles that are being shared may be stored at the Department without supervisory approval. Effective: April 19, 2002 Revised: November 1, 2007 Bicycle Patrol Program SOP No. 41.13 Page 4 of 6 2. If a bicycle patrol officer is on extended leave, he/she will store the assigned bicycle at the Department. VII. BICYCLE EQUIPMENT: A. The following equipment will be provided by the Boca Raton Police Services Department and available for use by properly trained officers: 14.02 1. Mountain style bicycle and storage bag 2. Helmet approved by the Department of Transportation 3. Uniform shirt and shorts 4. Water bottle 5. Lock 6. Bicycle rack for car 7. Headlight with batteries or battery charger 8. One flashing front red light and one flashing front blue light 9. One flashing red rear light 10. One combination lock 11. One speedometer/odometer. B. With the exception of the uniform shirt and shorts, all of the above equipment will stay with the bicycle at all times. 14.02 C. All Bicycle Program personnel must wear a helmet while operating City-owned bicycles. All officers will have their helmet chin straps secured around their chin at all times while riding their bicycle. VIII. BICYCLE SECURITY: A. Barring an emergency or exigent circumstances, officers will safely secure their assigned bicycle to a fixed object whenever they are not on the bicycle and riding. 1. The officer will secure the frame and the wheels to the fixed object using the issued lock. 2. If an officer is on a break, he/she must position the bike in a location where the officer can keep it in visual contact. Effective: April 19, 2002 Revised: November 1, 2007 Bicycle Patrol Program SOP No. 41.13 Page 5 of 6 3. Officers are responsible for their bicycle while on duty. 4. Whenever it is being transported or left unattended on a vehicle, officers will secure their bicycle to the bicycle rack using their issued lock. IX. CALLS FOR SERVICE: A. Officers on bicycle patrol will handle back-ups and calls for service that can be handled safely on a bicycle. At no time will bicycle patrol officers be dispatched to emergency calls as the primary or back up officer. Approved: Daniel C. Alexander Chief of Police Effective: April 19, 2002 Revised: November 1, 2007 Date: Bicycle Patrol Program SOP No. 41.13 Page 6 of 6