Altoona Police Officer trains for bike patrol

Monday, May 21, 2018
Smantha Wensel | WQOW

Altoona (WQOW) -- Altoona Police are pedaling to keep you and your family safe this summer.

Officer Timothy Peterson recently finished training with the International Police Mountain Bike Association to become a bike patrol officer for the Altoona Police Department. Officer Peterson said his 40 hours of training included everything from basic bike maintenance to learning how to navigate stairs with a bike.

Officer Peterson told News 18 the community is his main reason for becoming a bike patrol officer.

"That's the whole point," Peterson said. "Getting out there, talking to people, interacting with people more, rather than being cooped up in your squad car. You can talk to people, interact with them, be a little bit more visible."

Peterson also said the bike patrol will primarily be used for festivals or big events because it's easier to get to someone on a bike, rather than in a squad car, in those situations.

Read more about this article »