Special Patrol Units

Sgt. Schroeder and
his partner Rainmaker

The Police Department currently has two special patrol units that enhance the services given by the regular patrol units. This page provides answers to the most commonly asked questions about both the Mounted and Bicycle Patrol units.

Mounted Patrol

The Mounted Unit is made up of one, retired, Sergeant/horse team. In addition to regular patrols around the HSU campus, the Mounted Unit patrols portions of the Community Forest that are under the jurisdiction of HSU. This patrol also can be seen at athletic events, special events, such as commencement and local parades. The HSU Mounted also works with the Mounted Units of the Eureka Police Department and the Humboldt County Sheriff's Department.

Bicycle Patrol

The Bicycle Patrol Unit is currently made up of four members of the HSU Police Department: Greg Allen, Rodney Dickerson, Melissa Hansen, John Packer.

The Police Department sees several benefits of having a bicycle patrol on the HSU campus:

• Officers are more accessible to the community.
• Often, the bicycle response to an emergency is faster than a vehicle.
• Officers' physical conditioning is improved.
• Wear and tear on patrol vehicles is reduced.
• Emissions caused by patrol vehicles are reduced.
• Serves as a role model to encourage the community to use bikes rather than cars.
• Allows patrol of areas not accessible by car.

Officer Schmeltzer and Chief Dewey
with their ZAP Bikes

The ZAP bicycles used are specially modified mountain bikes. The modification of interest to most people is the addition of an electric motor. Typically, the officer pedals the bicycle around campus, but when responding to an emergency, making a traffic stop or engaging in a pursuit, the electric motor is engaged. Powered by the motor alone, the bikes can achieve speeds up to 20 mph instantly. Because it is electric, the motor is silent. The chief benefit of the electric motor is that the officer gets to a scene quicker and in better physical condition to handle the situation.

The bicycles were paid for with department funds and through a grant from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District.