Police Cycle liason officers?

[magnatom]

Thinking about some of the threads over the last few weeks/months/years here in commuting, I had a thought this morning (always very dangerous!).

We often hear of the varying responses that cyclists get when approaching the police to report incidents on the road. In some instances the police take the incidents seriously, in others they can be very dismissive. So how can we do something about this? How can we be sure that there is a consistent and acceptable approach to cyclist reported road traffic incidents?

What would happen if each force area was required to have x number of Cycle Liason Officers (CLA)? I not talking about extra jobs, or even police officers that all cyclists direct their complaints to. These officers would provide an overseeing role in any incidents reported to the police, i.e. cyclist reports an incident to police officer A. Police officer A collects the info compiles a report and decided on a course of action. The CLA, having been nationally trained to deal with such situations and having specific understanding of the issues that cyclists face, does a quick check of the way that police officer A has dealt with the incident, and if necessary corrects and issues that he feels have arisen.

Why have the CLA? We all know that those who have not ridden a bike on the roads can be ignorant of the issues we face. This I am sure includes police officers. The CLA would provide police office A with the cycling background knowledge (balanced of course) that would help police officer A deal with the incident in a fairer way.

I am fully aware that I am naive about the workings of the police, but I thought I'd air my musings, if only to start a debate.

What do you think (especially the police officers among us)?

 

[gb155]

The more cycling related jobs, the better, as its something I want to get into

 

[snorri]

Don't know if they still have, but they had one in Glasgow, he gave a talk at a meeting I attended years ago. It was clear he was more used to speaking to school pupils, but he was definitely a cyclist and not just randomly selected.

 

[dellzeqq]

the Met has a crack squad of elite (not to mention brave and unfeasibly handsome) cyclists who fight bike theft.

 

[magnatom]

Aye, I know there are bits and pieces here and there, but it was about time that it was all joined up, and that there was a protocol in place that required any incident involving a cyclist (traffic related of course) to require the investigating officers to liaise with the liaison officer.

As I mentioned earlier, I think this important as many officers will have no cycling experience. If I am not mistaken, every officer will have had driving experience.

 

[gaz]

Am i right to think that traffic cops in the UK also have to be trained as motorcyclists? Or is that just the MET?
*doesn't think outloud*

 

[Vikeonabike]

Me, me, me I want that job, but only if I can have blue lights and sirens on my bike! Proper Uniform and a decent bike..... As it stands my constabulary aren't bothered about cycling issues (despite having Cambridge as it's county town). If it isn't doesn't bother with training it's own officers to a nationally excepted standard and equip them, then there is no hope of getting a CLA or anything simililar other than on a volountary basis by individual basis.

However some of the more forward thinking constabularies (Met, City of London, N.Yorks, Hants etc) may be more inclined to take it on board...

Approach PUBLIC SAFETY CYCLING ( PSC ) with the idea! They could well be interested.

 

[magnatom]

Me, me, me I want that job, but only if I can have blue lights and sirens on my bike!

Vikeonabike.......your hired!

 

[addictfreak]

I retire in 4 and a half years. Looks like the type of job for me!

 

[Peter10]

The MET now have a dedicated cycle squad who go around Central London targeting cycle theft. They also target the criminals who use bikes to commit robberies and snatches whilst riding. I believe part of their role is to also to promote cycle marking, give security advice and get people on cycle awareness course. The City of London Police also do a lot of work on dangerous cycling, i.e red light jumping, cycling on the pavement ect.

More and more police are on bikes now as it is a good way to cut costs and also it can mean getting to jobs faster than in cars. Not all police are anti-cyclist and many are commuters anyway.