M.B.U. (Mountain Bike Unit)

Without warning the Medicine Hat Police Service Mountain Bike Unit (MBU) comes out of nowhere, utilizing stealth and tactics known only to the officer on the bike. The Mountain Bike Unit cruises the streets, alleys, walkways, and other urban landscapes where typical police vehicles cannot go. Aside from regular patrol duties, the MBU finds itself utilized to police major community events and routinely rides up on crimes in progress, taking the perpetrators by complete surprise.

The Medicine Hat Police Mountain Bike Unit commenced in 1997 and consists of four members who are assigned to the unit for three seasons, May 1st to October 31st, every year. Bike officers are put through a demanding 40 hour training course put on by the Law Enforcement Bike Association (L.E.B.A.), they must be proficient with their bike and in excellent physical condition.

The MBU operates on a 12 hour modified shift, the majority of them being night shifts. The MBU utilizes specialized equipment to get the job done. Trek police package mountain bikes are used along with all weather gear and nylon duty belts to make the members as light and fast as possible. The MBU diligently targets problem areas of drug trafficking, liquor offences, Graffiti and other criminal acts throughout the city, more specifically in the downtown core, school yards, parks and pathways, resulting in numerous arrests and crime prevention opportunities.

Besides regular enforcement duties MBU Members are also responsible for crowd control during large functions such as Spectrum & Canada Day, members also promote safe biking through exhibiting proper bike handling skills and by wearing proper safety equipment (helmets, gloves and reflective clothing), they also participate in various bike safety courses put on by various agencies throughout the city.

NOTE: MBU Members are still Police Officers and on occasion they have to respond to emergency calls, therefore their bikes are classified as Emergency Vehicles. If you see a MBU officer proceeding through a red light, riding the wrong way on a one way street or riding on the sidewalk please move aside and give them the right of way; the bikes are not equipped with sirens or flashing lights so members utilize a whistle to alert motorists and pedestrians.

Police members suited up for cold weather demonstrate the Mountain Bike Unit's All-Weather versatility.

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