Sergeant Kimberly Burgon
In July 2002, Sgt. Kimberly Burgon was assigned as the sergeant in charge of bike patrol.
This year our bicycle unit went through a firearms training course. This teaches officers what to do if they are riding their bicycle and encounter the need to use their firearm. We also had some mountain bike training in Park City this fall. This training focused on physical fitness and the use of pedal/brake control skills in difficult terrain.
Our bike patrol officers participate in community events. Officers patrolled the park and surrounding area at the Cinco de Mayo celebration, Harvest Days celebration and the Safety Fair. This year our officers set up a bicycle skills course for children in the community to participate in. All children who successfully completed the course received a free bicycle helmet. Officers patrolled the streets and block parties during the National Night Out Against Crime. Two of our officers assisted St. George Police Department in patrolling their city on bicycles during Spring Break.
During regular patrol, the bicycle patrol officers carry their bikes on a rack affixed to their patrol cars. Officers ride their bicycles in high crime areas. This enables us to find suspects committing crimes in progress that may have otherwise been scared off by a patrol car driving through the area. Some of these crimes may include burglaries, thefts, car prowls, drug offenses, etc.
HISTORY:
The Midvale City Bike Patrol currently consists of a Sergeant and six patrol officers. The program was officially organized in 1999. Before this, the bike program was one or two officers bringing their own bicycles and riding them for special events.The bike program of today has evolved dramatically from what it was several years ago. Today all seven officers have their own bicycles assigned to them, which were purchased by the department. The officers today are better equipped and well trained. The officers on the bike patrol must be P.O.S.T. certified (Police Officer Standards and Training). This consists of 32 hours of training. This training consists of classroom bicycle skills, firearms training and bicycle maintenance.
DUTIES:
The bike patrol has the capability to ride and patrol, 365 days. The officers ride in almost all weather conditions. Officers will generally ride with a partner optimizing the officer's safety. The bike patrol's responsibilities include, but are not limited to, proactive patrolling, increased visibility, self initiated activity.
The officers patrol the entire city paying special attention to apartment complex's, parks, malls, special events, and residential/commercial areas. The mobility of the bicycle allows the officers to access areas otherwise not accessible by
patrol vehicles.
The bike officers have numerous advantages over traditional patrol. One of the biggest advantages of the bike patrol is their capability to be stealth. They can approach crimes in progress without being seen or heard. Many times, the officers are mistaken by the criminals as a citizen out riding their bike. The officers on bikes are able to see and hear a great deal more than the officers in patrol vehicles.
EQUIPMENT:
The officers currently use high quality mountain bikes. The bikes are equipped with front suspension shocks. The bikes have a bag mounted to the bike, which contains citation books and other essential items. A headlight is mounted to the bike for night riding. The bike patrol is in the process of trying to obtain lights and sirens. This accessory has been shown most valuable in performing their duties and being recognized as police officers. Since each officer is assigned their own bicycle, they are responsible for the care and maintenance.
SPECIAL EVENTS:
The bike patrol participates in several city holidays. In 1999 they led the Harvest Days Parade. After which they put on a Bike Rodeo for the kids in the city. The past
three years the bike patrol has handed out bike helmets to the kids who participate in the Bike Rodeo.
The bike patrol then patrols the park during the Harvest Days and Cinco De Mayo festivals.
CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE MIDVALE POLICE BIKE PATROL
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Sergeant Kim Burgon |
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Officer Jacob Cutright |
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Officer Christian Tucker |
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Officer Bryan Pickle |
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