Policy Text
Policy
426San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentDowntown Unit - 1Downtown Unit
426.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The San Luis Obispo Police Department has established the Downtown Bicycle Patrol Unit
(Downtown Team) 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.
426.2 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 Watch Commander.
426.3 SELECTION OF PERSONNEL
The selection process will be in accordance with Department policy regarding Special Assignment
Selection.
426.3.1 BICYCLE PATROL UNIT SUPERVISOR
The Bicycle Patrol Unit supervisor will be selected from the rank of sergeant by the Operations
Division Chief 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 Operations Bureau.
(f)Other activities as required to maintain the efficient operation of the Bicycle Patrol Unit.
426.4 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.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Downtown Unit
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentDowntown Unit - 2•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.
426.5 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.
Bicycle 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.
426.6 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 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 may 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. Officers are responsible for the routine care and
maintenance of their assigned equipment (e.g., tire pressure, chain lubrication, overall cleaning).
If a needed repair is beyond the ability of the bicycle officer, a repair work order will be completed
and forwarded to the program supervisor for repair by an approved technician.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Downtown Unit
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/01, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentDowntown Unit - 3Each 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.
Officers shall not modify the patrol bicycle, remove, modify or add components except with the
expressed approval of the bicycle supervisor, 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