Originally Posted by adrien
He tols [sic]me that it's a very popular assignment and that it's very competitive to get in. There are some who are volunteers and not-quite-police (I think in Arlington) as well, plus the park volunteers who mostly hel with breakdowns.
Maybe in your city... I was speaking with a local city official and she mentioned that the biking officer duty was reserved for new recruits. Our previous cycling officer was a very enthusiastic responder and ended up with several fender benders in patrol cars. The officer got the keys taken away and was put on two-wheeled patrol for a few months.
Originally Posted by adrien
Apparently, they have special techniques including how to come off the bike to tackle someone who is running, whioch is why they don't use clipless and why they need sturdier bikes.
I've seen it done and it was very impressive. Our city hired several bike cops when the Olympics were here in '96. One had been a top-ranked downhill and trials rider. You better be a heck of a sprinter if you were trying to get away from him.