Several years ago, the Walpole Police Department was happy to receive a community policing grant, which allowed the department to purchase eight mountain bikes for officers to use. This spawned the very first Walpole Police Bicycle Unit, which has been a great asset to the department ever since. Currently, we have 8 bicycles for the 12 officer unit, which are used often during the warm weather months for occasions such as parades, carnivals, school half-days, and for patrolling highly populated areas, such as the center and the parks.
The bicycles, pictured above, are outfitted with all the gear a patrolman would need in the field. The bicycles are marked as "Police" bicycles, and are setup for on or off road use, with all-terrain tires. In addition, front and rear strobe lights, and spot lights are equipped to increase visibility. There is also a pack in the rear for officers to carry equipment, such as a first aid kit and bicycle tools.
Ptl. Steve Eaton is pictured above wearing the safety-yellow and blue bicycle patrol jacket. Officers included in the unit have been outfitted with special gear for their unique tasks. To increase their safety, they have been given yellow jackets, marked "Police", for visibility. To assist with the amount of equipment that they have to carry, they have been issued light-weight nylon duty gear, and uniforms.
