NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT
6.5.1 Bicycle Patrol Unit Procedures
Directive 6.5 – Specialized Units
A. The New Albany Police Department maintains an active bicycle patrol unit in operation
during the months of April through September. This does not exclude bicycle patrol
during others months of the year as weather, special events, and department needs
dictate. The purpose of the bicycle patrol unit is to provide a service to the Police
Department and the public wherein the patrol officer has better access to persons and
places that are limited by routine cruiser patrol. The New Albany Police Department
Bicycle Patrol Unit is used for, but not limited to, the following functions:
Crowd Control
Special Event Patrol
Traffic Control
First Responder in Crowded Areas
Residential Patrol and Traffic Enforcement
Business Checks
Community Relations
B. Participation in the New Albany Police Department Bicycle Patrol Unit is on a voluntary
basis. Bicycle Patrol Uniform Regulations is governed by Directive 6.3.1.
An officer wishing to participate in the program must meet the following basic
qualifications:
The officer must have at least one year of full- time experience with the New Albany
Police Department and be out of his/her probationary period.
The officer must have successfully completed 40 hours of formal mountain bike patrol
training in accordance with International Police Mountain Bike Association
(I.P.M.B.A.) standards or any other equivalent course as determined by the Chief of
Police.
Any officer wishing to participate in the Bicycle Patrol Unit will forward an email or a
memorandum to the Chief of Police through the chain of command.
C. The Bicycle Patrol Unit will maintain a fleet of operational patrol bikes which will remain
outfitted with the following departmental equipment:
Battery operated dual headlight with flash function and emergency red and blue lights
Audible siren
Electronic odometer
One rear mounted nylon bag for equipment
Patrol bicycles will be assigned to individual officers on an annual basis. An officer
assigned to the bike patrol unit will be responsible for his/her assigned bike’s cleaning and
basic maintenance. Any major repairs needed should be forwarded to the officer’s shift
supervisor.
D. While on routine bike patrol, officers will concentrate mainly on highly populated areas,
businesses, school zones, and residential areas. Bicycle Patrol Units will coordinate a
bike patrol schedule with their respective shift supervisors. An officer will mark the
dispatch center prior to beginning bike patrol and he/she will inform dispatch of what area
he/she will be patrolling. If an officer changes patrol zones during his/her shift, he/she will
notify the dispatch center via radio. An officer may initiate a traffic stop with a motor
15