Top brass wants pedal patrol, cops unimpressed

It’s cyclical, you may say. After 20 years, the city police are reintroducing cycle patrols all over the city to increase vigilance and reduce crime.

Senior police officials told dna the present patrolling methods using Cheetah (motorcycles) and Hoyasala could be improved if the bicycle patrols are reintroduced as the constable on the cycle would be able to remain more alert due to the slow pace of movement of the cycle compared with a motorcycle or a four-wheeler.

DCP (South) HS Revanna told dna that cycle patrols had already been re-introduced in the south police division and after taking stock of how much more effective the patrolling has become, the same would be replicated in all the seven police divisions of Bangalore.

Revanna said the idea behind reintroducing cycle patrols is this: Criminals are alerted in advance by the sounds of Cheetah or Hoyasala patrols, while cycles are silent operators even as the patrolling constable is able to keep his eyes peeled for anti-social activities on his beat. Constables on bicycle can inform the Cheetah or Hoyasala via wireless upon spotting illegal activities.

Cops sulking
However, several constables that dna spoke to said the cycle patrol plan would flop because nowadays criminals often use vehicle, ad high-speed ones at that. They said using cycles could prove to be a retrogressive and an unscientific method of patrolling.

One constable pointed out that in the recent past, many police personnel have been assaulted by people and criminals when cops rushed to catch them at night.

“Senior police officials should actually think about equipping us with sophisticated weapons to handle critical situations rather than putting us on cycles to keep a lookout,” he said.

“The decisions taken by our superiors should help lower-ranked police personnel to nab criminals. But they have directed our police inspector to purchase bicycles for patrolling congested areas at night. Will it be possible to chase and catch even one mugger using such a mode of transport?” he said.

How it will work
Timing: 11 pm - 5 am.

Each cycle beat to cover 2 sq km.

Cheetah team (headed by ASI) to supervise 2-3 cycle beats.

1 SI to supervise entire police station jurisdiction.

1 DCP to be in charge of 2-3 divisions.

50% night beat constables in south division have been patrolling on bicycles for 10 days.