NCJ Number
194815
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 50 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2002 Pages: 105-109
Date Published
2002
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article reviews issues specific to mountain bike officer firearms training that include equipment, secondary weapons, weapon retention, and physical fitness.
Abstract
This article addresses the identified need for police cyclists to receive firearms, tactics, and survival oriented training. It was noted in a 1998 International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) survey that a large percentage of agencies provided no firearm training or qualification specific to mountain bike officer patrols. Training for mountain bike patrols must be designed to reflect their specific duties and challenges. Firearms training for bike patrols should include equipment, secondary weapon carrying options, weapon retention, and physical fitness. Equipment issues discussed include weapon retention systems, gun belt systems, and the use of cycling gloves. Secondary weapon carrying options review the ankle holster, body armor holster, and the inside the pocket holster. However, because of the limited ability to carry a secondary weapon, there is the need to prove their proficiency in accessibility and use. Weapon retention reviews the standard riding position of a mountain bike officer and the exposure and vulnerability of the officer’s weapon on the gun belt. An exercise was designed to simulate a crowd situation and a cyclist’s movement through the crowd slowly with items being removed from the gun belt. Once the exercise is completed, a discussion takes place regarding equipment, positioning, weapon retention technique, and defense tactics. An officer’s physical fitness can have a significant impact on an officer’s motor skill performance in weapon handling. It is noted that mountain bike patrol officers have unique tactical issues that must be incorporated into firearms and associated training exercises. Bike specific firearms training should emphasize officer survival.