Policy Text
CONCORD POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
FOOT / BICYCLE PATROL
GENERAL ORDER: 10.06 CREATED: July 8, 2016 ISSUE DATE: September 4, 2023
CALEA STANDARD: EFFECTIVE DATE: September 4, 2023
ACTION: Amends general order dated December 29, 2002.
10.06.0 PURPOSE
The mission of the department’s Foot / Bicycle Patrol Program is to improve the quality of
life in city neighborhoods by reducing or preventing crime, fear and disorder. Residents
and police will develop mutual trust and confidence in working together to keep
neighborhoods safe by intensely involving individual officers in an extended commitment
to individual neighborhoods.
10.06.1 POLICY
It shall be the policy of the Concord Police Department that foot and bicycle patrols may
be used for reg ular patrol duty, traffic enforcement, parking control, or special events.
The use of foot and bicycle patrols shall emphasize officer mobility and department
visibility in the community.
10.06.2 GOALS
A. Reduction in actual or perceived criminal activity.
B. Increase the safety of citizens.
C. Increase citizen participation in reporting suspicious or criminal activity.
D. Increase community awareness of actual or potential problems and citizen
participation in correcting the problems.
10.06.3 OBJECTIVES
A. Ongoing exchange of information between foot / bicycle patrol officers, district
officers and other units within the department.
B. Develop community awareness of the problems of crime by analyzing crime trends
and reporting same to individuals or to groups who reside in th e assigned foot /
bicycle patrol areas.
C. Attend community meetings and other neighborhood activities as a resource person
regarding law enforcement procedures and activities.
D. Develop and maintain an open line of communication with youth and youth related
agencies.
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E. Collect and distribute pertinent information to the various department work locations
concerning criminal or illegal activities (i.e., district supervisors, Vice, Major Crimes,
etc.).
10.06.4 FOOT PATROL
Foot patrols will facilitate communication between patrol officers and residents, thereby
enhancing the relationship between the department and the community it protects. Foot
patrols will improve public perception of how officers are deployed and will allow the
opportunity for residents to become more involved in improving the quality of life in their
neighborhood. Foot patrols may be conducted by area patrol officers during their regular
tour of d uty as outlined below:
A. Officers shall perform foot patrols within their assigned district or any other area as
directed by their supervisor.
B. Foot patrols shall be conducted in those areas requiring dedicated patrol.
C. Crime trends/patterns, events and any other reason of significance shall be used to
determine the geographical location and time of day or night for foot patrols.
D. The area and time of day or night is to be authorized by the district commanding
officer or designee.
E. Any officer conducting a f oot patrol assignment shall advise the Communications
Center via the department radio, use the appropriate code and give the location or
appropriate specified location. For example, “4200 to Concord, I will be 7.16 Logan
1.”
F. Foot patrol assignments shall not exceed two hours in length without the
authorization of their commanding officer or designee.
10.06.5 BICYCLE PATROL
Bicycle patrols enhance police presence with superior mobility and response time. Bicycle
patrol has been shown to be an effective way to increase officer visibility in congested
areas, and the quiet operation of the patrol bicycle can facilitate a tactical approach to
crimes in progress. Patrol bicycles may be deployed to any area, at any hour of the day
or night, according to department ne eds and as staffing levels allow.
A. ASSIGNMENT
The Chief of Police shall determine the size of the bicycle fleet; and how many
bicycles are assigned to each work location.
B. PATROL BUREAU COMMANDER OR DESIGNEE’S RESPONSIBILITIES
The P atrol Bureau commander or designee shall select the officer(s) who shall be
authorized to operate a bicycle and shall ensure:
1. That officers who are authorized to operate a bicycle are properly trained and
equipped.
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2. That bicycle equipment inspections are conducted bi -annually and recorded in
RMS.
3. Maintain a list of assigned bicycles and equipment in RMS.
C. OFFICER’S RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Bicycle patrol officers shall only use department approved equipment.
2. Officers shall only use a department owned bicycle with the permission of their
commanding officer.
3. Bicycle patrol officers shall patrol in the approved bicycle uniform unless
otherwise directed by their commanding officer.
4. The secure storage of bicycles shall be the responsibility of the officer.
5. Officers assigned to bicycle patrol duty shall conduct a safety inspection before
patrolling, and perform minor maintenance and adjustments as needed. Officers
shall maintain their bicycles in a clean and safe operating condition.
6. Any officer conducting a bicycle patrol assignment shall advise the
Communications Center via the department radio, use the appropriate code and
give the location or appropriate specified