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© Mobridge Police Department

 

Officer Tony Larsen
 MPD BPU Coordinator
MPD BPU Officer

Officer Shawn Fox
 MPD BPU Officer
 

 

JUNE 2008 MPD BPU STATISTICS
  LARSEN FOX MONTH SEASON
PATROL SHIFTS 10 2 12 34
PATROL HOURS 55.00 6.00 61.00 187.00
PATROL MILES 136.805 19.818 156.623 372.721
SERVICE CALLS 30 2 32 83
VEHICLE STOPS 7 1 8 16
PERSON STOPS 5 1 6 20
OTHER CONTACTS 59 12 71 153
TRAFFIC CITATIONS 0 0 0 4
TRAFFIC WARNINGS 3 4 7 20
PARKING TICKETS 0 0 0 2
CRIMINAL CITATIONS 3 0 3 8
CRIMINAL WARNINGS 5 0 5 20
CUSTODIAL ARRESTS 1 0 1 8
ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS 0 0 0 4
DRUG VIOLATIONS 0 0 0 2
PARKS PATROLS 79 14 93 205
POOL PATROLS 0 0 0 0
SPORTS PATROLS 8 0 8 9
TRAIL PATROLS 3 1 4 6
DRIVE-IN PATROLS 3 0 3 5
SPECIAL PATROLS 7 5 12 15
IMPACT (REC CENTER) VISITS 4 2 6 16

 

 

Current Patrol Bike

Click on the thumbnails below to view larger versions of the pictures.


 


 


 

 

The Mobridge Police Department Bike Patrol Unit (MPD BPU or BPU) was established in 2005 by Officer Tony Larsen as a way to better interact with the community and to enhance the ability of an officer to detect and deter criminal activity. The BPU is a volunteer unit currently consisting of two police officers. BPU equipment is funded only by donations from the public.

Using bicycles to patrol promotes the department's community oriented policing philosophy by allowing officers to be more accessible to the public compared to patrolling in traditional patrol vehicles. It also allows officers to be more mobile compared to foot patrol. Patrolling on bicycles also allows officers to be stealthier when responding to incidents requiring the officers to be discrete about their presence.

The MPD BPU is active typically from April through October, weather permitting. BPU Officers patrol the entire City of Mobridge, giving special attention to the City parks system, the Mobridge Pool, the City sports complexes, the Main Street & Grand Crossing business districts, motels, the drive-in movie theater, and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail walking and biking areas, as well as at special events.

The MPD BPU currently uses two police patrol bicycles, which are both 2008 Giant Rincon 24-speed 26" tire front-suspension mountain bikes; one on a 22" frame and one on an 18" frame. These patrol  bikes are fully equipped police patrol vehicles with red & blue emergency strobe lights, amber warning strobe lights, 115 decibel "yelp" emergency warning sirens, 105 decibel electronic air horns, LED taillights, 32 watt dual beam halogen headlight systems with "wig-wags", and reflective police markings.

The police patrol bikes are authorized emergency vehicles, as defined by SDCL 32-14-1(2). BPU Officers do conduct both vehicle traffic stops and pedestrian stops while on patrol. Vehicles and pedestrians must yield and stop for the patrol bicycles when the red & blue emergency lights and/or audible siren are/is activated, just as with any other authorized emergency vehicle. BPU Officers may also issue voice commands. Failure to comply with the laws regarding interaction with emergency vehicles and directions of a police officer may result in the issuance of citations for the law violations and, under certain circumstances, may subject pedestrians to a Fleeing from Police charge and vehicle drivers to an Eluding Police charge.

In order to ensure officer safety and efficiency, BPU Officers are required to successfully complete a challenging 40-hour basic police cyclist training course presented through the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA). BPU Officers are IPMBA members and are Certified Police Cyclists. This training and certification allows BPU Officers to utilize efficient skills to operate safely and properly on bike patrol, reducing liability and increasing proficiency to better enforce the law.

The MPD BPU is proud to announce the addition of Officer Shawn Fox as the second BPU Officer for the 2008 bike patrol season. With this addition, the BPU has purchased the second bicycle and equipment for the second officer, thanks to gracious monetary donations by the public. Though the bike and equipment have been purchased and are in use, the BPU still needs public support to cover the additional costs of initial and continued training and maintenance of the bikes and equipment.

The unit is also exploring the possibility of purchasing rechargeable battery-powered electric hub motors as a safety measure for both patrol bicycles. This technology would allow BPU Officers to quickly and efficiently respond in an emergency to a call anywhere within the city with much less risk of officer overexertion. These electric motor systems are approximately $2,500 each.

One of the attractive things about having police officers on bicycles is the much lower operating cost compared to the cost of purchasing a patrol car, with regular maintenance and fuel usage. Comparatively, several bike officers can be fully equipped for the same price as one officer in a patrol car.

If you would like to make a monetary donation to the MPD BPU or would like more information, please contact MPD BPU Coordinator Tony Larsen through this email link or call 605-845-5000.

The MPD BPU also hosts the annual MPD Bicycle Safety Program for Mobridge area youth.

 

Original Patrol Bike (Used 2005-2007)
Click on the thumbnails below to view larger versions of the pictures.
MPD Bike Patrol 6.jpg (1803377 bytes)

 

MPD Bike Patrol 2.jpg (2060927 bytes)

 

 

2005 First Season Photos

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