The RCMP have a variety of ways to get around whether it be on foot, in a vehicle or even on a horse.
However, Constable Serge Lamothe says bicycle patrol has many advantages, including being more discrete.
“So if someone were to see us, they would know that we’re police, but because we’re able to tactically approach this person they might not realize until it’s too late and that reduces the chances of them getting away and us not finding out who they are,” says Constable Lamothe.
It also gives them the ability to cut through alleyways and parking lots in the downtown area to get somewhere faster.
Constable Lamothe says there are even a few instances where they beat the police cruiser to the scene.
When weather permits, its not uncommon to spot a few officers on bicycles, but Lamothe says some officers even like to go out in less favourable weather.
“There are a lot of police officers that like to go out on the bike even if does rain. Because, like I said it does give kind of that sense of surprise for some people because their not expecting a police officer to show up on a bicycle, especially when it’s raining outisde,” Lamothe says.
Police will typically patrol on bicycle during special events, to direct traffic and help with crowd control.
