Another police cyclist here.
When out and about on the road i'll have the lights on regardless. However, where I patrol in tighter smaller spots like alleyways, parks and very quiet residential areas, I'll sometimes creep around without the lights. Caught a number of people by being able to sneek up in the dark without the lights. There is a lot to be said for the bikes compared to the cars if your just patrolling your own patch. On the bike, you can hear things going on, you can smell things too ... which you wouldn't if you were in a car.
As already mentioned before, personally, whether someone gets done for being on the pavement depends on the situation in my books. Riding like an idiot, then yes. Doing it for their own safety and what not and showing due care and consideration, then my discretion applies. Where I patrol is different to the very busy pavements of the city centres though, I will admit that.
Totally agree with the point that they mostly just dont look around and notice the police. As for the report, well if its reported as a crime, and it looks like a theft to me, then a report gets written. Reality of whether it'll get detected and a person caught is another thing, seperate from a report.
When out and about on the road i'll have the lights on regardless. However, where I patrol in tighter smaller spots like alleyways, parks and very quiet residential areas, I'll sometimes creep around without the lights. Caught a number of people by being able to sneek up in the dark without the lights. There is a lot to be said for the bikes compared to the cars if your just patrolling your own patch. On the bike, you can hear things going on, you can smell things too ... which you wouldn't if you were in a car.
As already mentioned before, personally, whether someone gets done for being on the pavement depends on the situation in my books. Riding like an idiot, then yes. Doing it for their own safety and what not and showing due care and consideration, then my discretion applies. Where I patrol is different to the very busy pavements of the city centres though, I will admit that.
Totally agree with the point that they mostly just dont look around and notice the police. As for the report, well if its reported as a crime, and it looks like a theft to me, then a report gets written. Reality of whether it'll get detected and a person caught is another thing, seperate from a report.
