Student Publications
University of Houston
151C Communications Bldg
Houston, TX 77204-4015
713.743.5350

©1991-2007
Student Publications,
All rights reserved.

Last modified:

Contact:
ktruitt@uh.edu

News

UHPD bike patrol sports a new look

Increased visibility for 15-member patrol promotes safety on campus

by RACHAEL SEELEY
Senior Staff Writer

The UH Police Department outfitted its bicycle patrol officers with new uniforms last week that are made of brighter colors and a more breathable material -- increasing officer comfort and visibility across campus. 

"It catches the public's eye," bike patrol officer Diego Tristan said.

The new uniform shirts are royal blue and black with a reflective stripe across the center of the chest and the word "Police" across the back.

Bicycle patrol officers have more maneuverability than their patrol car counterparts because bikes are easier to maneuver. 

"I am able to see a lot more patrol-wise," Tristan said. "Criminals are looking for patrol cars; they are not looking for a bike officer ... I catch them by surprise."

Tristan was one of the first UH police officers to trade in a patrol car for a bicycle in Oct. 2000. Since then, the program has expanded to include 15 bicycle officers who patrol campus daily.

"Students react to a bike officer differently then they do to an officer in a car," UH Police Chief Malcolm Davis said. "They are much more approachable."

UH bike officers complete a comprehensive training course that teaches endurance and mobility skills before shedding patrol cars. 

Tristan said his bicycle gives him an advantage when pursuing a suspect on foot by eliminating the need to park and exit a car -- a process that can cost valuable seconds in a chase and give the suspect a head start.

"You gain maneuverability ... (Bike officers) can come at you from any direction. But there are only certain places a car can be," Davis said.

Tristan said bike patrolling also makes him more approachable to students. 

"I can be on a street corner watching traffic and people come up to me all the time and ask questions," Tristan said. "They get a good feeling seeing an officer on a bike."

Davis said the UH Police Department has plans to expand the bicycle patrol division by training more officers and setting up an in-house bicycle repair center headed by Tristan to reduce repair time and save money.

"A lot of times we have to send out for repairs because we don't have the equipment to do it here, which costs the department an arm and a leg," Tristan said. 

 Send comments to dcnews@mail.uh.edu