Police Department

Bike Patrol

The Chanute Police Department's Bike Patrol Unit was started in 1995.  The Chanute Police Department began the Bike Patrol to help improve and / or enhance the patrol capabilities as they combine mobility with close citizen contact.  In order to enhance community policing, the Chanute Police Department will utilize bicycles to interact with the citizens of the community and to help provide a better working relationship overall.

The purpose of the Bike Patrol Unit is to help identify problem areas within the community.  To interact with the citizens of the community, and to take police action to correct problems identified.

The Bike Patrol Unit is an operation that will tentatively run from the month of June to September or as the weather permits.  When the unit is used in high-risk areas two officers will be utilized on patrol. 

The Bike Patrol Unit is a slow moving, methodical patrol where we can interact with the public and observe at the same time.

The use of all-terrain (mountain bikes) for patrol duty is a fast growing trend in the law enforcement community.  The bicycle is a quiet, cost efficient, and amazingly effective, mountain bikes are able to bridge the gap between police vehicles and police foot patrol.  It has been seen through experience that citizens are more likely to meet with a bike patrol officer, thus optimizing community oriented or problem oriented policing efforts.

The Bike Patrol Unit officers are better able to use all of their senses while in the performance of bike patrol.  Being able to smell and hear to detect and address crime as to were an officer in a vehicle would have to compete with the noise of the engine, wind, and other obstacles inherent to the operation of a motor vehicle.  Through experience the Bike Patrol Unit has been able to approach suspects virtually unnoticed while in full uniform.  There have been several arrests that have come from this tactic or advantage, ranging from fights in progress to drug activity.

The use of mountain bikes for the Bike Patrol Unit has proven effective in many different environments.  They have proven to be quick and maneuverable in busy or congested areas where traffic can delay a motorized unit.  The Chanute Bike Patrol Unit has also been used in less congested areas for patrol work, residential patrol, campus areas, athletic or civic events, business security, parking lots or where moving in on suspects swiftly and quietly is necessary.  They can be used on streets, sidewalks, alleys, and trails.

The Bike Patrol Unit uses two types of mountain bikes.  The main patrol bike is the Iron Horse 500.  This bicycle is light and quick.  The bike has a front suspension system to ease the ride to the arms and shoulders.  It is a 21-speed bike.  The bike itself has proven durable in many situations.  The bike has required little maintenance and is fun to ride.

The secondary patrol bike is the Murray Mountain bike.  This is a heavier bike that has a different build to it.  It is also a 21-speed bike.  The handle bars are higher up than the Iron Horse for a more back straightened posture and the seat is more cushioned.  The bike is designed more for cruising, as the Iron Horse is more racing oriented.

Unlike recreational cyclist who can pick and choose the route that they may go a bike patrol officer needs to go where he is needed.  This can range from an area of high traffic to the back yard of a residence.  Police cyclists need additional skills to ascend and descend stairs, curbs, and other obstacles that are a part of the surrounding environment.

The goal of the Bike Patrol Unit is to be more in touch with the public and to perform the duties of a law enforcement officer.