They are then placed with a field training officer for their final training before being released on the street. Additionally, each officer is recertified several times during the year in firearms qualification, radar and intoxilyzer operation. Also, there is monthly training and testing on LETN and other in-house programs. The Bike Patrol consists of 6 officers, who have had specialty bicycle training. There are several benefits from bike patrols.
Officers are out of cars and more accessible to the public, making interaction easier.
More ground can be covered on bike patrol than on foot. Officers frequently have the element of surprise when making arrests and the bikes are able to respond where a vehicle is unable to go, creating a better response time. Patrol dogs are used to track violent individuals, conduct building searches, and are used for crowd control. Bomb dogs are utilized to locate and detect explosives. Drug dogs are utilized to locate and detect various types of illegal drugs.