First Patrol

[David C.]

As some of you recall in last year's Person of the Day program, one of the "I bet you didn't know that about me" things was my passion for mountain biking, and the desire to join our local Park Police Volunteer Patrol.

The Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Montgomery Division finally held their Volunteer Academy back in June.   I've finished my classroom instruction and now I'm about to start my field training.  Tomorrow night is my first patrol.   I'm kind of nervous and excited at the same time.  Nervous because I don't want to screw up...there are radio procedures to be followed, bicycle procedures, administrative procedures, etc.   I'm training with a long-time volunteer.   We'll be patrolling some of the areas that I used to walk with Rudy & Max back when we lived down in Rockville...I haven't been there since we moved upcounty to Damascus.

It's exciting because this is something that I've really wanted to do.  While the primary component of the Park Police Volunteers is patrol, I've already forwarded a proposal to start a mountain bike search-and-rescue detachment.   I think the higher-ups just want to see me qualify and get some patrol experience under my belt before they act on my suggestions.  It's a great department with an establishment of around 90 officers, so it's big enough to be a well equipped and well funded department, but still small enough that you pretty much get to know everyone.

I had to set up one of my older mountain bikes for patrol duties.   The bike needed a new front end (fork and headset), and then the bottom bracket (the thing which holds the pedals on) went south, so I had to fix that, too.   I took it out this morning in full patrol setup just to shake out the squawks, and outside of some minor issues with the rear derailleur (gear), the bike is ready to go.

Unlike some agencies that issue call signs for the beat you are on, each individual officer and volunteer is given their own personal radio ID.   Mine is X-Ray 136.   How cool is that?

Here's a line to the website for the organization that I am now part of:
http://www.parkpolice.net/

[Doxherding Karen]

O.K., X-Ray 136 is kinda cool . . .

But Zulu 02 would be outstanding!!!

Dr. Joe Friday Leaky

[David C.]

...or 1 Adam 12  :thumb:

"Pete Malloy" Zora  and "Jim Reed" Zeke.


.or...7 Mary 3 and 7 Mary 4   

"Ponch" Zora and "Baker" Zeke

Actually, if you watched the show, the LAPD had "X-Ray" cars.   Of course, with the LAPD, "X-Ray" stood for "extra" car...i.e. an additional car put on patrol besides the regular beats.  With the M-NCPPC, X-Ray stands for a civilian unit. 

The Volunteer unit has three components bicycle (my unit), community (car & foot) and mounted (horse).   The Park Police have some BIG horses.  I think their hooves are bigger than my dachshunds!

[Doxherding Karen]

Their horses are usually big because size alone controls crowds.  And their hooves are HEAVY!  I know, I've cleaned enough hooves to last a while!.

Karen

[Teresa]

What an exciting thing to be doing. I hope everything goes great tomorrow night. If your weather is anywhere close to ours right now, I'll be hoping you have a break in the heat, also. We have had a heat index of 110 today and the same is being forecast for tomorrow. YUK!!!! Fall can show up anytime now!

[David C.]

It was 102 today in D.C....it hit around 95 here...we're about 25 miles north, and about 500 feet higher in elevation than the city.  It's supposed to be in the mid-90s again tomorrow.

I've been riding in the mornings.  It's not too bad as long as you keep moving, but as soon as you stop, your body turns into a giant roll of sweat.   I get to wear my cycling shorts, but my shirt is the standard cotton polo, which doesn't "wick" very well.   Hopefully, I can convince someone higher up to purchase legitimate cycling jerseys!

[Mike]

Could you modify a cycling jersey (i.e.: remove sleeves) and wear it under the polo shirt?  Perhaps invite one of the hoi-paloi along on a ride to see first hand the situation.

Congratulations on achieving one of your dreams.

[David C.]

Well, the first patrol is on the books.   I'm relieved.   It was more administrative than actual field work, but we did get out and ride for about 40 minutes.   It was a quiet ride.   We were flagged down by a dog owner who asked if there was anything we could do about the speeding bicycles.   My field trainer told him not right now...there is a loophole in the law that allows bicycles to be operated up to 25 mph on park property...which means hiker/biker trails.   Anyone who has been 25 mph on a bike can tell you that is pretty darn fast, and on a narrow hiker/biker trail with pedestrians and childern is downright reckless.   He understood, thanked us and blessed us for being there.  That was a neat feeling.   We had a few other folks thank us as well...and your usual glares and stares.

The next patrol will be in car and I get to handle more of the communications.  The one after that is my "final exam" where I do everything and the field trainer just stands back and watches.

[Barb]

Congrats David on doing something you always dreamed about !!!  Look forward to hearing about the experiences.

[MindyKay]

Congratulations on doing something you have dreamed about.  Don't worry about the "glares and stares," one of these days those very same people will find themselves in despearate need of your help.

[Ruth in MT]

[Sandishooligans]

Wow!  That's great that you are following your dream!   :thumb:

[AnnieofNJ]

Wow, David, I am so happy for you.  Not many of us get to follow a dream.  Congratulations!!!!

Annie & the New Jersey Gang (Oscar, Bonita, Trooper & Tess)

[Kelly]

Hi David,I just got done reading about your bike patrol! I am happy for you.
By the way I used to watch "ADAM-12 &CHIPS"!  Kelly&boys in Illinois