Bicycle_Patrol_Assignment

Policy 425CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/10, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentBicycle Patrol Assignment - 1Bicycle Patrol Assignment 425.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE The CSU Police Department may establish a Bicycle Patrol Assignment for the purpose of enhancing patrol efforts in the community. Bicycle patrol has been shown to be an effective way to increase officer visibility in congested areas and their quiet operation can provide a tactical approach to crimes in progress. The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for the safe and effective operation of the patrol bicycle. 425.2 POLICY Patrol bicycles may be used for regular patrol duty, traffic enforcement, parking control, or special events. The use of the patrol bicycle will emphasize their mobility and visibility to the community. Bicycles may be deployed to any area at all hours of the day or night, according to Department needs and as staffing levels allow. Requests for specific deployment of bicycle patrol officers shall be coordinated through the Watch Commander. 425.3 SELECTION OF PERSONNEL When a bicycle patrol assignment opportunity comes available, interested department personnel shall submit a email of interest for the assignment to their appropriate Division Commander. Qualified applicants will then be invited to an oral interview. Interested personnel shall be evaluated by the following criteria: (a)Recognized competence and ability as evidenced by performance. (b)Special skills or training as it pertains to the assignment. (c)Willingness to perform duties using the bicycle as a mode of transportation. 425.4 TRAINING Participants in the program must complete an initial Department approved bicycle-training course after acceptance into the program. Thereafter bicycle patrol officers should receive annual in- service training to improve skills and refresh safety, health and operational procedures. The initial training shall minimally include the following: •Bicycle patrol strategies. •Bicycle safety and accident prevention. •Operational tactics using bicycles. Bicycle patrol sworn officers will be required to qualify with their duty firearm while wearing bicycle safety equipment including the helmet and riding gloves. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Bicycle Patrol Assignment Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/10, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentBicycle Patrol Assignment - 2425.5 UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT Officers shall wear the department-approved uniform and safety equipment, which shall be provided by the Department, while operating the department bicycle. Safety equipment includes department-approved helmet, riding gloves, protective eyewear and approved footwear. The bicycle patrol unit uniform consists of the standard short-sleeve uniform shirt or other department-approved shirt with department badge and patches, and department-approved bicycle patrol pants or shorts. Optional equipment includes a radio head set and microphone, and jackets in colder weather. Turtleneck shirts or sweaters are permitted when worn under the uniform shirt. Bicycle patrol officers shall carry the same equipment on the bicycle patrol duty belt as they would on a regular patrol assignment. 425.6 CARE AND USE OF PATROL BICYCLES Officers will be assigned a specially marked and equipped patrol bicycle while on assignment. Authorized bicycles utilized for uniformed bicycle patrol shall be primarily black or white in with a "POLICE" decal affixed to each side of the crossbar or the bike's saddlebag. Every such bicycle shall be equipped with front and rear reflectors front lights and a siren/horn satisfying the requirements of Vehicle Code §2800.1(b). Authorized bicycles utilized for uniformed bicycle patrol shall be equipped with a rear rack and/or saddle bag(s) sufficient to carry all necessary equipment to handle routine patrol calls including report writing, vehicle storage and citations. Each bicycle gear bag shall include a first aid kit, and security lock, equipment information and use manuals. These items are to remain with/on the bicycle at all times. Each authorized bicycle shall be equipped with a steady or flashing blue warning light that is visible from the front, sides, or rear of the bicycle. ( Vehicle Code § 21201.3) Bicycle officers shall conduct an inspection of the bicycle and equipment prior to use to insure proper working order of the equipment. A repair work order request will be completed and forwarded to the watch commander for repair by an approved technician. Each bicycle will have scheduled maintenance twice yearly to be performed by a department approved repair shop/technician. At the end of a bicycle assignment, the bicycle shall be returned clean and ready for the next tour of duty. Electric patrol bicycle batteries shall be rotated on the assigned charger at the end of each tour of duty. CSU Police Department Systemwide Policy Manual Bicycle Patrol Assignment Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/08/10, All Rights Reserved. Published with permission by CSU Police DepartmentBicycle Patrol Assignment - 3Officers shall not modify the patrol bicycle, remove, modify or add components except with the expressed approval of the watch commander, or in the event of an emergency. Vehicle bicycle racks are available should the officer need to transport the patrol bicycle. Due to possible component damage, transportation of the patrol bicycle in a trunk or on a patrol car push- bumper is discouraged. Bicycles shall be properly secured when not in the officer's immediate presence. 425.7 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITY Officers must operate the bicycle in compliance with the vehicle code under normal operation. Officers may operate the bicycle without lighting equipment during hours of darkness when such operation reasonably appears necessary for officer safety and tactical considerations. Officers must use caution and care when operating the bicycle without lighting equipment. Authorized sworn officers are exempt from the rules