SFS pedals street to build presence

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • Thunderbolt staff writer
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  In the past, Luke Air Force Base Thunderbolts may have only seen uniformed officers patrolling the base on bicycles during special events such as the open house and air show. But as of June 5, there is a greater presence of bicycle patrolmen around base housing and shopping areas. 

In an effort to become more involved with the base populace, Maj. Michael Borders, 56th Security Forces Squadron commander, created a bicycle unit so patrolmen are more approachable to the residents they protect. 

"The patrolmen will be out talking to everybody, because Major Borders wanted more of a community involved atmosphere," said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Encalada, 56th SFS police services and bike patrol NCO-in-charge. 

The initial group consists of eight patrol certified security forces members, who have also attended a week-long tactical bicycle course taught by the Glendale Police Department. 

"The course teaches patrolmen how to patrol with stealth, quietly approach people and how to use the bike to the rider's advantage in certain situations," Sergeant Encalada said. "They are also taught to maximize efficiency, such maintaining balance while riding slowly." 

At the end of month, approximately 10 more patrolmen will go through the course to swell the ranks of the initial bicycle unit. Members will be assigned to every flight, and the bike patrol will be a 24 hour operation. 

The patrolmen will work eight hour shifts, but with the summer heat, they will probably do a work, rest cycle of 30 minutes patrolling on the bike and 30 minutes in a vehicle to cool off. 

The bicycles are equipped with pretty much everything a patrolman in a vehicle has, including a sidearm, handcuffs, tazer as well as a couple of extra pieces of equipment for bicycle maintenance. 

Members don't have a specific route and will ride around to get familiarized with the base community by talking to people and making personal contact. 

So the next time base residents see a pair of bicycle patrolmen in navy blue shorts and white polo shirts with POLICE printed on back, they shouldn't be caught off guard if they stop... they may just want to chat and get to know the people they are protecting.