Bicycle Patrol

Police bicycle patrol is used heavily by the Joplin Police Department Community Engagement Team. In many jurisdictions, bicycle patrol is used primarily as a public relations tool. However, the Joplin Police Department utilizes police bike patrol as a highly effective enforcement tool. We currently deploy several bicycle officers who operate year-round as weather permits.
 

Duties

Bicycle patrol is used to patrol miles of bike trails that are inaccessible to patrol cars. The bike officers also serve critical roles at large events such as parades, or other community events. Officers on police bicycles are also better able to detect odors and hear sounds that signify criminal activity than officers in cars, which is why they are used extensively and effectively during directed patrol operations. Bike patrol is also used to patrol the downtown entertainment district as weather permits.