District OPP peddling new program

The Fort Frances OPP has a new look these days—and a new way of getting around.
Last week, the local OPP took possession of two new mountain bikes, which will become a regular sight around the district from now on, as will police officers in shorts.
The Mountain Bike Patrol Unit was the brainchild of Cst. Mike Golding, a cycling enthusiast and triathlete, who also is one of six officers specially-trained in the use of these new tools.
“We put in a proposal to the Rainy River Valley Safety Coalition a couple of months ago and they gave us a grant to purchase the equipment,” noted Cst. Golding.
The bikes were acquired from Skates and Blades here, financed through the RRVSC, and now are on the street.
The package includes not only the bikes but a special rack and trailer hitch that easily attaches to the back of a cruiser so the bikes can be transported to outlying parts of the district, as well as special safety training for the officers in the unit.
It seems there is more to using a bike in law enforcement than just riding around. “We took a course in safety and operation,” said Cst. Golding.
He added there’s also an advanced course that teaches how to use the bike as a crowd-control tool—and even as a weapon—but they haven’t taken that one yet.
Instead, the local unit intends to use the bikes primarily to give the police a higher profile in the community and to help the officers stay in shape.
“It also promotes health and fitness,” said Cst. Golding, who is no stranger to serious cycling. But the real value in the program is expected to be at the street level in dealing with the public.
“The statistics show you have 10 times more contact with the public [on a bicycle] than with a cruiser,” he noted.
In addition, they are a useful tool in their own right, added Cst. Golding.
“Bikes can take you places you can’t really go in a cruiser,” he explained. “Plus, they’re quiet. Bad guys aren’t used to seeing police on bikes and that can give us an edge.”
The bikes were purchased at a significant discount from Skates and Blades. Owner Chris McKinnon said they normally would retail for around $370 each, but the police were able to obtain the entire package within their $1,000 budget.
The deal also includes regular maintenance of the bikes by Skates and Blades for the next three years.
“Chris [McKinnon] gave us a great deal,” enthused Cst. Golding.
The bikes will be used primarily to augment regular patrols, as well as be available for special events around the district.
“People can give us a call and make a request and we’ll be there,” Cst. Golding assured.
Cst. Golding said if the public takes to the idea and more officers volunteer for the unit, the program may expand down the road. As it is, two of the six officers currently in the unit will be available on every shift until the snow flies.
(Fort Frances Times)