BICYCLE PATROL UNIT
Charter Township of Clinton Police Department

The Charter Township of Clinton Township Police Department’s Bicycle Unit (B.P.U.) began patrol duties in July 1999. The Unit started with six (6) uniformed officers. It is currently staffed with ten (10) officers consisting of one (1) Lieutenant, one (1) Sergeant, and eight (8) Patrol Officers. The B.P.U. Coordinator is Lt. Craig Keith. Sgt. Sandor Laufle, and Officers John Bate, Dan Byrge, Mark Krutell, Anthony Maisano, Jodi Melise, Rob Pyle, Jim Stachowski, and Mark Sylvester staff the unit.

The Bike Patrol Unit was created to provide an effective and efficient means of patrol. There are currently over 1200 Police Bike Units across the U.S.A. and in Canada. Bike Patrol Officers are an important tool in community relations as they are readily accessible to citizens. Bike Patrol is very effective because bike patrol allows an officer to see, hear, and smell what an officer in a patrol car normally can’t. Bike Patrol Officers are pro-active and can be highly visible. Also, the bike allows an officer to operate in a “stealth” mode and go places that are not accessible with a patrol car.

Each member of the Bike Patrol Unit is equipped with a Trek 7000 Police Edition mountain bike. They are also furnished with protective gear and equipment, which reduces fatigue and minimizes injuries. The average cost to fully equip one bike officer is approximately $3,000.00 making the total cost to equip seven (7) bike officers about equal to one (1) patrol car.

Each team member must pass our Department’s prescribed physical exam and complete a 32-hour basic Law Enforcement Bicycle Association (L.E.B.A.) training course. This training includes instruction on how to ride over obstacles, up and down stairs, high-speed mounts and dismounts, and off-road bike riding skills. The training also covers firearm techniques, suspect apprehension, and officer safety issues, along with basic bike repair and maintenance, and bike officer nutrition. During this training officers also perform daily 10-15 mile training rides to practice skills and improve endurance.

All ten (10) of the Clinton Township Bike Patrol Officers have completed the 32-hour basic training course and seven (7) have also completed 40-hours of advanced L.E.B.A. training. In the advanced training several of the same skills are covered but at much higher speeds and intense level. Also, officers must engage in hand-to-hand combat after being attacked while riding a bike. Crowd control situations are also covered.

The Charter Township of Clinton Bike Patrol Unit is designed to patrol 12 months a year during the daytime and nighttime hours. Patrols are pro-active (prevent a crime), or directed-patrol (to address a particular issue or area), or special events (parades, etc.), or community policing oriented.

The Bike Patrol Unit also hosts a Bike Rodeo where children negotiate an obstacle course and perform other bike skills. The child’s bike helmet is properly fitted or they are provided a new one. Bike Patrol Officers also put on bike safety classes to the elementary schools throughout Clinton Township.

The Clinton Township Police Bike Patrol Officers were selected as “Officers of the Year” for 2004 and were presented with the award by the Mt. Clemens Elks Club in February 2005.

Any questions concerning the Clinton Township Police Bike Patrol Team or their functions should be addressed to Lt. Craig Keith at (586) 493-7832.