These deputies work as resource officers during the school year and patrol during the summer months. Each deputy assigned to the patrol goes through a four-day training course to learn bicycle handling and special procedures, deputy Kevin Oberlin said. You learn how to come off the bike at a high rate of speed, how to use the bike as a barrier and a lot of other techniques. University police spokesman Brad Barber said UPD helped train the Sheriff's office deputies. UPD and GPD have similar patrols.
Bikes are proactive with prevention of criminal activity.
The department is using Caloi mountain bikes with special features, said Josh Allen, a salesman at Primo Bicycle Works, where the bikes were purchased. They have stronger wheels, high-powered lighting, flashing blue lights and suspension. The bikes were purchased with money paid to the department by the cities of Archer and Newberry along with a grant from the Allstate Insurance Co., Bryan said. The bicycle patrol is scheduled to operate until Aug. 15, Bryan said. Even if it was for a limited time, I think it's done some good.