They parked their patrol cars and jumped on bicycles. While others are dodging the new spring crop of orange barrels, they've been practicing sharp turns around strategically placed orange cones. The spokes of the bicycles glistened in the afternoon sun as police officers twisted and turned, trying to maneuver mountain bikes around a tight square without squashing a cone or suffering the embarrassment of crashing their bikes in front of colleagues. Officers from Evendale, Sharonville and the Warren County Sheriff's Department are among 28 men and women who just finished a week-long bike patrol training class at Miami Whitewater Forest. Encouraging words of "keep pedaling, keep pedaling. Don't stop. You got it," rang out continually.
The riders, who represent more than a dozen agencies in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, are enrolled in the International Police Mountain Bike Association Certification Course offered by the Cincinnati Police Division.
Numerous agencies throughout the Tristate have begun or are starting bicycle patrols to increase contact between police and the community.
"We teach them proper riding techniques, going over obstacles, up and down stairs, how to apprehend suspects, teamwork on the bikes, bike maintenance and safe riding in traffic," said Lt. Dennis Meyer, with Cincinnati's bike patrol.
Among the agencies participating: Wilmington, Maysville, Ky., Rising Sun, Ind., Colerain Township, Delhi Township, Cincinnati, Bellefontaine, University of Cincinnati police departments, Children's Hospital Medical Center Safety Department and Hamilton County Park District.
Cincinnati Officer David Simpson, one of the trainers, said trainees must pass a 50-question multiple choice test, a 15-point practical test and a road test to become certified.
They also walk away with "self-confidence they can do the job, which is about 95 percent of the battle," Officer Simpson said. Evendale Sgt. Joe Asbrock, who heads the bike patrol that will start there this month, and Patrolman Erick Curry were eager to finish training and start pedaling.
"I'm really excited about this," Sgt. Asbrock said. "It's easier to stop and talk with residents when you're outside your car. You're much, much more approachable."
Bikes will be used to not only "fight crime, but also as a good public relations tool. I think it's a great opportunity for us and for the community," he added.
Sharonville Patrolmen Ray Hugentobler and Rich Usher are the first officers from that department in training. Patrol Officer Jill Bechtel, who initiated the program that will begin in a few weeks, and Patrolman Jim Nesbit will take classes in Dayton this week. Two more will be trained in Centerville in May.
"I felt the program would help to get the citizens more involved and help us interact with the citizens more," Mrs. Bechtel said "This puts us out there with them."
Skill levels vary
Warren County Sheriff's Deputies Ron Robertson and Dion Willey said they will be on patrol in Deerfield Township when the department's first patrol gets under way this month.
Early in the training class, some of the officers decked out in helmets, shorts and T-shirts executed the maneuvers almost flawlessly.
Cincinnati Officer Trish Yates said she hasn't ridden a bike since she was a child, but she was among officers who skillfully guided their bikes around the cones.
Others weren't so lucky. But all were supportive and sympathetic. Well, almost all.
"All right. I'm not the only one who lost it," one officer yelled as another failed to make a turn.
These trainees are among dozens of officers who have taken the classes that Cincinnati began nearly three years ago, Mr. Meyer said. Another class will likely be held in the fall.
