Police officers at Parkland put their wheels in motion
Out of their car, onto their bikes, closer to community
Members of the Dallas County Hospital District (DCHD) Police Department are getting back to their roots, make that their wheels – two of them, to be exact.
For nearly two decades in the late 1980’s to early 2000s, DCHD bike patrol officers were a common site on the main campus and even some of Parkland’s Community Oriented Primary Care health centers. But as Parkland’s reach stretched further into the county with additional health centers and leased spaced for ancillary staff, the need for bike patrols waned.
That is, until police command staff made the decision to get back to community policing.
“When an officer is in a patrol car it can sometimes be intimidating no matter how engaging the officer is,” said Capt. Rick Roebuck, who oversees the patrol division which includes the bike patrol. “This is an opportunity to get out of the car and back to more interaction with those we serve.”
That interaction began April 1, when DCHD Police Officers Charles Brown and Aaron Castaneda began patrolling the new and old Parkland hospital campuses including the Simmons Ambulatory Surgery Center, Amelia Court, streets around the campus, parking lots and garages. As a supplement to their patrol colleagues, bike officers respond to all types of calls outside of the hospital’s four walls. Their bikes are equipped with red and blue lights, sirens, radios, tools in case a repair is in order, and officers don lightweight police uniforms, helmets and riding gloves.
Still, serving in this role is not quite as simple as just climbing on the bike. Each officer is required to take a 40-hour police cyclist class taught by the Garland Police Department that includes patrol procedures and tactics, suspect apprehension, night riding, physical training and off-road riding, among other techniques. Once they successfully complete the course, they become certified bike patrol officers. There are currently three certified bike patrol officers on Parkland’s force, although currently only two are cycling.
“What I remember the most about the 40-hour course was the riding 8-9 miles through bike trails getting used to switching gears going up and down hills,” Officer Brown said, adding, “The most challenging part about bike patrol is officer’s safety on the bike. You are vulnerable to motorists driving on the side, in front of and behind you. Some people will disregard officers riding on a bike and sometimes may not even see them.”
“It is definitely a physically demanding job,” said DCHD PD Sergeant Vanessa Morales, who directly supervises the program. “And, because we had a number of officers volunteer and only a limited number of spots available in the police cyclist class, we set up a cycling test to see who among our officers had the best times.”
Using the Trinity parking lot for their test, officers had to complete six laps around the perimeter, snake in and out among traffic cones without touching or knocking one over, and then carry their bike, which can weigh nearly 25 pounds, for 40 yards. Those with the quickest overall times were selected for the initial bike training course, and as space becomes available in future bike courses, additional officers will wheel toward certification.
While the course taught techniques such as using the bike as a barrier between the officer and a potential suspect, or how to ride down – and up – a flight of stairs, the biggest benefit has been the interaction with staff and visitors.
"We have become much more approachable,” said Officer Castaneda. “People just find it easier to talk to us when we’re on a bike as opposed to the patrol car. It’s done a wonder for morale and I believe it’s making an impact on the community we serve.”
For more information about Parkland, visit www.parklandhospital.com
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