The Ball State University Police Department reintroduced its bicycle police force for the summer after the program has been on and off over the past decade.
Sgt. Rhonda Clark said the program consisted of three men; officers Coby Shields, Brad Clark, and Sgt. John Foster, who trained and supervised the group.
"The department asked who was interested," Clark said. "They were interested and qualified so they got the positions."
Foster trained officers Shields and Clark on some of the finer techniques of being on a bicycle. They had to learn how to transition on and off of curbs, go up and down steps and properly mount and dismount the bike.
The officers have been visible throughout the summer on the Ball State campus and surrounding areas. They are on duty from 3.p.m to 11.p.m. and from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Clark said officers on bicycles shared the same responsibilities as regular patrol cars, but also they had some advantages.
"They definitely have a better response time if there is a problem in a congested area," Clark said. "They are more visible, maneuver easier, and are cheaper to operate with such high gas prices."
Ball State senior Joel Sheets said this was the first time he had seen the officers on campus in his four years at Ball State.
"It's a responsible move both environmentally and financially for the department to go to bikes in my opinion," Sheets said.
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