Bike Patrol Unit
Bike patrol at Wheaton was established to improve the effectiveness of campus patrol. Wheaton is one of a number of Colleges and Universities currently utilizing uniformed officers, who work their shifts on bikes. In addition to making officers more approachable to members of the campus community, participating officers have found that patroling the campus on bikes deters vehicle break-ins, and other crimes. Officers are able to access every area of the campus, oftentimes with a reduced response time in cases of emergency.
Officers participating in campus bike patrol are able to use their senses more effectively than when patrolling in a cruiser. Officers on bikes are more efficient when patrolling campus parking lots and walkways around residence halls and other buildings. Bikes can also be deployed for "direct patrol" when there has been a number of reported crimes in a particular area. Bike patrol officers are often able to approach suspects virtually unnoticed, even when in uniform. Officers on bikes can easily maneuver in crowded areas and patrol special events such as Commencement, move in weekend and athletic events. Officers on bikes, who are also emergency medical technicians are able to provide rapid, assistance to sick or injured individuals anywhere on campus.
There are currently eleven officers in the Mountain Bike Unit. These officers attend a State training and certification program called COBWEB (Cops on Bikes with Education for Bicyclist). The intensive, three-day program requires officers to learn safe and effective bike patrol procedures and tactics. Campus bike patrol is an important component of community policing, allowing officers to interact more closely with members of the campus community and guests.
Students are encouraged to stop and talk with an officer on bike patrol:
*Assistant Director Bamford
*Sergeant Oliver
*Sergeant Gorham
*Officer Domagalski
*Officer Lincks
*Officer Silva
*Officer Melkonian
*Officer Hoey
*Officer Poore
*Officer Brown
*Officer Malloy