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Subject: Bicycle
Patrol Unit |
Series Number
Change 301 09 Effective
Date December 14, 1992
Revision
Date * |
The purpose of this
order is to establish the policy and procedures for members relating to the
operation of departmental bicycles. This order consists of the following parts:
PART I
PART II Responsibilities and Procedures for Members
of the Department
A. General Duties and Responsibilities of
Bicycle Officers.
B. Medical Requirements.
C. Operational Requirements and Prohibitions.
PART III
Responsibilities and Procedures for Supervisory and Command Personnel
A. Officials.
B. Communications Division.
C. Commanding Officers.
D. Director, Fleet Management Division.
PART II
A. General Duties and Responsibilities of
Bicycle Officers.
Bicycle Patrol Officers are considered to
be foot patrol officers with a means
of mobility. As such, they shall:
1.
Perform
the duties of a patrol Officer as provided by the Metropolitan Police Manual
and those duties that may be required of them by competent authority.
2.
Be
assigned Only to bicycle duty and not be utilized in other capacities such as
relief clerk, scout car relief, etc.. unless absolutely necessary.
3.
Adhere
to the provisions of Chapter 1 2, Title 1 8, of the District of Columbia
Municipal Regulations(Bicycle Regulations).
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4.
When
communicating with the radio dispatcher, members shall: identify themselves as
BICYCLE BEAT NUMBER .
5.
When
members assigned to the Bicycle Patrol Unit are in receipt of original
complaints in which an offense or incident report is required, they are to
adhere the same provisions of General
Order 401.1 (Field Reporting System),
that govern foot or scooter patrol officers.
6.
When
completing a PD Form 255 (Arrest Report), the arresting member of the Bicycle
Patrol Unti shall, on Line 6. enter the five-digit
code BIKE and the number of his/her police district (i.e., MBike3. for an
officer assigned to the Third District Bicycle Patrol Unit).
B. Medical Requirements.
The following considerations shall be
satisfied prior to the selection of
personnel for bicycle operator training:
1.
The
member shall receive a complete physical examination by a physician of the
Medical Services Division and his/her medical records reviewed for any past
history of injuries which may be aggravated by bicycle duty, especially back or
knee injuries.
2.
Sick leave records shall be reviewed for any past history of back
and knee aliments.
C. Operational Requirements and Prohibitions
1. Members
shall not operate department bicycles unless they have been bicycle trained and certified by the Vehicle
Skills Section.
Training Division.
2.
Members assigned to The Bicycle Patrol Unit shall:
a. Be
assigned to a specific, customized bicycle that only he/ she shall operate on a permanent
basis during his / her assignment to a district Bicycle
Patrol Unit.
b. Be
responsible lot the routine maintenance of his/her assigned
bicycle.
c. Prior
to operating a bicycle, the operator shall:
(1)
Conduct
a thorough inspection of the vehicle to ensure that all necessary equipment and
lights are present and functioning.
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(2) Immediately report any damage or malfunctioning equipment
to an official and record the information on the
PD Form 775 (Daily Vehicle Inspection and Activity Report). Section B.
(3) Not operate a malfunctioning or damaged
bicycle.
3. When operating a bicycle, the member shall:
a. Use
a PD Form 775 (Daily Vehicle Inspection and Activity Report) for
reporting members activities.
b. Wear
the department-issued bicycle helmet with the chin strap securely
fastened.
c. Keep
both hands on the handlebars except to operate the radio or when
giving hand signals.
d. Wear
the, department issued safety goggles.
e. Wear
the department issued visibility vest.
f. When
dismounting, operators shall:
(1) Park in compliance with the traffic regulations.
(2) Lock and secure their bicycle.
g. When
a member is involved in an accident while operating a departmental bicycle or the bicycle is damaged it
will be handled as would
any other departmental vehicle. An investigation be conducted
and responsibility affixed as appropriate
in accordance with General Order 301.1.
4. When
issued a portable radio, bicycle officers shall:
a.
Carry
radios issued to them in a departmentally issued carrying case which shall be
worn with a shoulder strap. Radios equipped with a microphone may be worn
attached to the officers issued belt along with the required shoulder strap.
Radios shall not be attached to the bicycle.
b.
Exercise
caution when operating portable radios while the bicycle is in motion; if
possible, the bicycle shall be brought to a hault to
use the radio.
5. Operators shall not:
a. Permit
operation of their bicycle by any other member.
b. Transport
a second rider.
c. Wear
sunglasses during periods of darkness or reduced visibility.
Any exceptions (i.e., eye stigmatism that requires a prescription for specially tinted tenses, etc.) shall require
the approval of a Medical
Services Division physician.
d. Smoke
while operating their bicycle.
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e. Routinely
patrol or operate their bicycle on any of the various limited roadways, highways, and freeways within the
District of Columbia (e.g.,
1-395 and its accesses, Third Street Tunnel, Ninth
Street Tunnel, Southeast / Southwest Freeways, 1-295, Whitehurst Freeway, Suitland Parkway, etc.) or other
roadways where bicycles are
prohibited by law.
f. Operate
their bicycle upon a sidewalk within the Central Business
District (see attached map) except those expressly designated by order
of the Mayor.
g. Interchange
any parts of bicycles.
h. Conduct
traffic stops.
PART II
A. Officials
1. Officials
who operate bicycles shall be guided by the provisions of this order to the extent consistent with the performance
of their supervisory duties.
2. Officials
shall Comply with General Order 301.8 (Vehicular Driving Safety
Program when they observe any unsafe driving actions
by bicycle operators.
3. The
official supervising the Bicycle Unit within his/her sector shall receive the same bicycle
training as the members of the Unit.
B. Communications Division dispatchers
shall use the code "BB" when making
appropriate entries into the CAD system.
C. Commanding Officers of each
organizational element utilizing bicycles shall:
1. Receive
written approval from the Chief of Police prior to establishing a
Bicycle Patrol Unit within his/her district.
2. Make
the determination as to which members are to be selected and
trained for bicycle operation.
3. Ensure
that members of the Bicycle Patrol Unit are not used in casual clothes operations without his/her prior
approval.
4. Determine
whether bicycles should be operated by members of their command during
periods of inclement weather.
5.
Ensure
that any damage to a department bicycle is properly investigated and
responsibility is appropriately placed.
6.
Forward
reports of accidents involving bicycles to the Motor Vehicle Accident Review
Board in accordance with General Order 201.7 (Review Boards).
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7. Establish
an area at their facility where their departmental bicycles can be
secured and protected from The weather.
D. Director, Fleet Management Division
shall be responsible for:
1. Assigning
permanent fleet identification numbers to each bicycle of the Bicycle Patrol Unit.
2. Registering
all bicycles assigned to the bicycle Patrol Unit in accordance with District of Columbia Municipal
Regulations, Title 18,
Chapter 12.
ALD:SCLARK:sc