Bicycle Officer Inspection

This morning saw the first of what is hoped to become an annual tradition: the Citywide Bicycle Officer Inspection at the Elysian Park Academy Field.  At 8:00 A.M., Chief Bratton, Assistant Chiefs Jim McDonnell and Earl Paysinger and other ranking officers, as well as Los Angeles Police Foundation President Karen Oleon Wagener, inspected officers assigned to the various Bike Patrol Units in the Los Angeles Police Department', approximately 250.  Chief Bratton addressed the officers immediately following the successful inspection, describing his pride for what he called an "essential component" of the Department. A long-time supporter of bicycle patrol units, the Chief pledged to grow and expand the unit during his administration.  He cited the efficiency of bicycle policing as one of its many advantages to the Department, and to our communities.

Assistant Chief McDonnell introduced Officer Craig White, Pacific Area who trained many of the bicycle officers.  On the eve of his retirement at the end of the month, Officer White referred to bike unit officers as having "the best job possible in the Department."

Assistant Chief Paysinger remarked on the health benefits to the bike officer.  He complimented the gathered men and women and stated they sent a powerful message to the community in terms of police presence and visibility.

After the inspection, the officers participated in a "Pride Ride" to Parker Center and returned to Elysian Park Academy for a day of races and competition with police bicycle officers from more than thirty invited Los Angeles and Orange County Police Agencies. 

Comments

[Jennie]

I had the opportunity to see some of the bicycle officers a couple of weeks ago. I was on shopping on Broadway st. on the day of the Immigration March. These men and women are a sharp looking group of officers with the ability to quickly cover lots of ground. I was also impressed at how friendly the officers were with the crowd. There were thousands of people around and the officers that I saw were friendly with the group marching and to those of us lined along the street watching what was going on.