Policy Text
Policy
423Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentBicycle Patrol Unit - 1Bicycle Patrol Unit
423.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Garden Grove Police Department has established the Bicycle Patrol Unit (BPU) 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.
423.2 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 Bicycle
Patrol Unit supervisor or the Division Lieutenant.
Bicycle patrol will be used primarily as a tactical patrol response to a specific residential or
commercial area where traditional patrol vehicles have proven ineffective in impacting specific
problems. Bicycle patrol may also be used as an effective method in addressing parking
enforcement problems in specific areas.
The use of a department bicycle must first be approved by a supervisor. Supervisors should
consider the following when deploying an officer(s) on a bicycle:
(a)The need for patrol of parks, large apartment complexes or other areas not suited for
patrol cars
(b)The need to stakeout, surveil or apprehend criminals who use bicycles as
transportation
(c)The need to approach undetected in specific areas too large to handle by foot
(d)The need to control loitering in off-road locations
(e)The need of parking enforcement in specific areas
(f)That the officer has completed bicycle training for police officers. This may be training
facilitated by our agency or another law enforcement agency.
423.3 SELECTION OF PERSONNEL
Interested sworn personnel, who are off probation, shall submit a change of assignment request to
their appropriate Bureau Commander. A copy will be forwarded to the BPU supervisor. Qualified
applicants will then be invited to an oral interview. The oral board will consist of the BPU supervisor
and second person to be selected by the BPU supervisor. Interested personnel shall be evaluated
by the following criteria:
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Bicycle Patrol Unit
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentBicycle Patrol Unit - 2(a)Recognized competence and ability as evidenced by performance.
(b)Special skills or training as it pertains to the assignment.
(c)Good physical condition.
(d)Willingness to perform duties using the bicycle as a mode of transportation.
423.3.1 BICYCLE PATROL UNIT SUPERVISOR
The Bicycle Patrol Unit supervisor will be selected from the rank of sergeant by the Community
Policing Bureau Commander or his/her designee.
The Bicycle Patrol Unit supervisor shall have responsibility for the following:
(a)Organizing bicycle patrol training.
(b)Inspecting and maintaining inventory of patrol bicycles and program equipment.
(c)Scheduling maintenance and repairs.
(d)Evaluating performance of bicycle officers.
(e)Coordinating activities with the Community Policing Bureau.
(f)Other activities as required to maintain the efficient operation of the Bicycle Patrol Unit.
423.4 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 twice yearly
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 officers will be required to qualify with their duty firearm while wearing bicycle safety
equipment including the helmet and riding gloves.
423.5 UNIFORMS AND EQUIPMENT
Officers shall wear the department-approved uniform and safety equipment 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.
Garden Grove Police Department
Policy Manual
Bicycle Patrol Unit
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2022/05/24, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by Garden Grove Police
DepartmentBicycle Patrol Unit - 3Bicycle patrol officers shall carry the same equipment on the bicycle patrol duty belt as they would
on a regular patrol assignment.
Officers will be responsible for obtaining the necessary forms, citation books and other department
equipment needed while on bicycle patrol.
423.6 CARE AND USE OF PATROL BICYCLES
Officers will be assigned a specially marked and equipped patrol bicycle, attached gear bag, two
batteries and a charger.
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).
Bicycles