Yellow Jackets Swarm to the Scenes

They swarm quickly to a crime scene in their yellow and black uniforms. Seeing them in action, a citizen in Chisholm gave them the well-deserved name they use today: The Yellow Jackets.

Montgomery’s Bike Patrol, or Yellow Jackets, are a special group of fit and talented officers. The unit has been in place since November of 1979. The City has 42 of these officers on bicycles.

Lt. C.A. Thornton says the use of bicycles instead of cars can make police officers more easily approachable. Bicycles can also be issued to police officers to enhance the mobility and range of foot patrols. The bikes are nearly silent in operation and many criminals do not realize that an approaching person on a bike is actually a police officer. If the criminal attempts to flee on foot, the riding police officer has a speed advantage while able to quickly dismount if necessary.

The bicycles are custom designed for law enforcement use. Many manufacturers of bicycles offer police models and MPD uses bikes manufactured by Trek. Each officer is custom fitted for his bike to ensure it is the proper length.

Officer Leroy Manigault says the Yellow Jackets are also welcomed in the schools. “Our presence makes a difference,” he said. He said the officer’s senses are heightened on a bicycle- he or she can see more, smell more and hear more. The Yellow Jackets are also highly visible at Biscuits Baseball games, along the Riverfront, and different areas of the city. Vehicle break-ins and other crimes of opportunity have been significantly reduced in areas where the Yellow Jackets patrol.

The Yellow Jackets use the Riverfront area for their training exercises. They have a course there and officers wishing to join the unit after serving one year of patrol must train there and pass a certification test. Last week, the department certified six additional bicycle officers.

Corporal Allen Dailey said he was on duty the day two men robbed a pawn shop downtown. Armed with a good description from the pawn shop owner, he and another officer followed the robbers to Trenholm Court and caught them on foot. He said having the bikes to zoom in and out of small places such as alleys was extremely beneficial in helping them make the arrest.

Next time you see a Yellow Jacket, please thank him or her for the work they do to keep Montgomery safe.