Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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4.5 Patrol: Organization and Administration
4.5.14 Bicycle Patrol (Revised: 6/ 6/17)
UCSF Police Department is committed to enhancing quality of life by providing a secure and
safe environment in which the Campus community can reach and maintain its fundamental
mission. The proven abilities of bicycle patrols, combined with the Community Oriented Policing
and Problem Solving (COPPS) philosophy, helps the Department to accomplish this goal.
A. The mission of the Bicycle Patrol Program is to use specially trained, uniformed officers
on bicycles to provide routine police patrol and enforce the law. The Bicycle Patrol
Program will interact with the community in a positive manner and respond to various
community needs or issues. The Department may assign Bicycle Patrol units to patrol in
high crime areas, at special events and in areas with limited access, such as student
housing units, and to assist with special enforcement details.
B. Organization/Staffing
1. Program Manager: The Bicycle Patrol Program will be coordinated and
supervised by a sergeant.
2. Selection Criteria: The Chief of Police will appoint and select officers for the
Bicycle Patrol Program.
3. For an officer to be selected for Bicycle Patrol duties, he/she must hav e
demonstrated the following qualifications:
a. Ability to work independently without close supervision
b. Good work habits, self -motivation and proactive problem -solving and
enforcement capabilities
c. Be in excellent physical condition, completing a bicy cle riding
performance test
d. Ability to promote and maintain open lines of communication within the
campus community.
C. Training
1. The training requirements for bicycle patrol duties are to ensure that officers have
the knowledge and skills with the s pecialized techniques required to meet the
unique demands of uniformed bicycle patrol.
2. At the discretion of the FSD Captain, officers assigned will attend and pass an
initial, introductory, eight -hour training course, offered by a POST -approved
bicycle patrol instructor before assuming bicycle patrol duties.
3. Each officer will be evaluated (pass/fail) on his/her ability to safely perform
elements such as negotiating a curb, stairs (up/down), off -road, on -road in traffic,
dismounts and mounting the bike .
4. The assigned officer will then attend, and must successfully complete, a POST -
approved bicycle patrol schoo l within one year of assignment.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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5. In-service training will be conducted, as needed, to maintain or improve existing
bicycle patrol skills.
6. Bicycle Patrol officers should train and maintain an above average level of fitness
to withstand the dema nds of sustained bicycle patrol.
7. Officers designated as Bicycle Instructors shall complete and maintain a POST -
approved bicycle instructor course ce rtificate.
D. Uniform
Bicycle Patrol uniform standards are as follow:
1. Black Bratwear zip -off bike pants (Style #P -ZSCM2LT).
2. Black Bratwear jacket/vest combination (Style #J -PJZ1) with cloth UC Police
Department (UCPD) patches, star and name tag.
3. Black Bratwear Class “A” long sleeves uniform shirt (Style #SHT -U2) with cloth
UCPD patches, star and name tag and yellow reflective “POLICE” lettering on
back
4. Black bicycle helmet
5. Black bicycle gloves
6. Black leather bicycle patrol shoes
7. Black Uncle Mike’s nylon duty belt and accessories.
a. The Chief of Police may update Bicycle Patrol uniform standards due to
ongoing development and improvement with these uniforms.
E. Deployment
1. Bicycle Patrol officers will be deployed according to the n eed assessed by the
Watch Commander, Bicycle Patrol Sergeant, FSD Manager or Chief of Police.
2. Bicycle Patrol officers should not ride alone in high crime areas.
3. Bicycle Patrol officers can be deployed day or night. During nighttime hours,
officers sh ould utilize appropriate lighting equipment.
4. Bicycle Patrol officers shall not ride in rain or other inclement conditions deemed
unsafe by the Watch Commander.
5. Bicycle Patrol officers deployed in a low -profile or clandestine capacity may
choose not t o use marked police bicycle lighting equipment. Officers not using
lighting equipment under these circumstances must use due regard for their safety
and the safety of others.
F. Hours of Operation
Hours of operation are subject to change due to specific e nforcement needs, weather
considerations and uniform capabilities in inclement weather.
G. Illness or Injury
A Bicycle Patrol officer injured while riding a bicycle on duty shall immediately notify a
Watch Commander so that the required injury forms can be completed.
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
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H. Equipment
1. Bicycle Patrol officers should use only equipment provided by or approved for
use by the Department.
2. At all times, while on the bicycle, officers will wear the following required safety
equipment:
a. Eye protection, either prescription or plastic safety glasses or goggles with
clear or tinted shatter -resistant lenses
b. Black cycling gloves, either full or fingerless style
c. Black bicycle helmet
d. Department -issued soft body armor.
3. A patrol -ready bicy cle should consist of the following equipment:
a. Patrol bicycle that passed the pre -ride inspection
b. One water bottle cage with a filled water bottle
c. Department -issued headlight system with a charged battery
d. Functional red flashing taillight
e. Cyclometer
f. Bicycle horn
g. Rear nylon bag with “POLICE” markings on a rack