Police Takedown
I’ve known for a while that Springfield had a few “bicycle cops”, concentrated mainly around the college campuses and downtown. I remember seeing a newspaper article quite a while ago that talked about them and the training they got, but honestly, I figured they just kind of tootled around doing routine patrols and promoting goodwill. Yesterday, however, I saw one in action, and could tell this guy meant business and was an accomplished cyclist as well. Here’s what happened…
As I was walking back from lunch with Pam, all of a sudden I heard several sirens and saw police cars pull out of three streets onto Jefferson at adjacent blocks and head south. About that time, I saw a cop on a MTB come tearing out of the Drury campus police station, ride half a block on the sidewalk and then head east toward campus. Meanwhile, the cops in cars all stopped for perhaps 30 seconds, then every one backed up, turned around and came tearing full speed up Jefferson the wrong way. I remember thinking, “Should I be walking here?”. As they were heading for me, the bicycle cop came flying out from between two buildings, shot between parked cars off the curb, jumped the curb on the other side of the street about 20 feet in front of me and pedaled furiously across the lawn of the student housing on the west side of Jefferson. The police cars basically followed him in that same direction.
When I got to the office, my curiosity got the best of me so I walked across the parking lot and looked north on Robberson, where they had a lady spread-eagled across the back of a police cruiser. I looked for something on the news, but never did see anything about it. Whatever it was, they were really serious about catching her.
What impressed me, though was the way the bike cop rode. I never saw him let up, and he literally came flying over that curb without the least bit of hesitation. When I saw that, I realized he was capable of way more than just “tootling around”.
Good job guys!
God bless…
TW
Explore posts in the same categories: bicycle, Cycling, FitnessTags: bicycle, Bicycle cop, Cycling, Fitness
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October 26, 2012 at 5:59 pm
I recommend reading
http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2010/02/17/a-powerful-tool-for-law-enforcement/
to find out about what real bike cops go through to get trained. I’d take such a class gladly, though I’m not sure I’m ready to carry a weapon on my bike.
October 26, 2012 at 8:35 pm
Being here in Toronto I see cyclist cops all the time and have always figured the same thing, that they are just there for a police presence, keeping the peace type of thing. It is interesting to read that they are actually more than that, I am going to start keeping my eye out around time more now….I want to see one in action
October 27, 2012 at 11:30 am
I rode through Flint last year for a buddy’s birthday – I felt quite comfortable carrying my pistol on that ride… Kind of like the American Express card, though it greatly depends on where I’m heading.
October 27, 2012 at 11:31 am
Their training is INTENSE. It’s my understanding that they have a washout rate well over 50%.
October 29, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Did you know our friend officer Mallow rides for Branson Police Dept.?