PINE BLUFF, Ark. — After nearly ten years, the Pine Bluff Police Department is bringing back its Bike Patrol.
According to Assistant Chief Kelven Hadley, the Pine Bluff Bike Patrol began in the late 90s but disbanded and went away in 2015.
"It did disband, mainly because of promotions and people moving on to other divisions,” Hadley explained.
Now, the patrol is now back in action, and Hadley said that is in large part due to feedback from the Pine Bluff community.
"Bike Patrol has been always well received by the community,” he said. “Bike Patrol officers are looked at as being approachable."
Hadley is the person who is in charge of the “new” division, which features thirteen brand-new bicycles and nine police officers.
Having the Bike Patrol officers around town will make it easier for them to be more involved in the community and they will be able to enforce the law quicker and easier.
"Bike Patrol is able to ride up on individuals such as a suspect or even just a citizen and it's kind of like a surprise attack,” Hadley explained.
The Bike Patrol officers had their first ride on Monday, and Hadley said that not only is it an important job but it's also one the best of the best were selected to join.
“Each officer was hand-picked and hand-selected based off their strength according to how they are at dealing with the community,” he added.
He also explained how physical fitness was a big concern, as the officers will be biking through Pine Bluff no matter what the weather conditions may be.
The officers won't be out at night for safety reasons, but otherwise, they'll be out on the streets seven days a week.
Each one of the officers that were chosen for the Bike Patrol has been certified by the International Police Mountain Bike Association.