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Bicycle-riding policemen will again be seen in Cebu City's streets this Christmas.
The Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) board decided yesterday to revive the bicycle cops instead of approving a request to buy 20 more motorcycles for traffic enforcers.
Bicycle cops will apprehend traffic violators as well as snatchers and other criminals in the streets, Jakosalem said.
“We revived the concept because we found out that the team of bicycle cops we had in the ‘90s had the most number of traffic and anti-crime apprehensions during theie time. The CCPO is now selecting members of the team,” Jakosalem said.
Jakosalem said they will start with 20 to 30 bicycle cops. Cebu City Police Deputy Director for Operations Paul Labra will select the policemen.
The board agreed that the new team must be composed of young policemen trained in the proper techniques to conduct an operation using bicycles.
The previous bicycle cops, who are now assigned with the Special Weapons and Tactics team, the Mobile Patrol Group and other special police units, will help train the new recruits.
Jakosalem said Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña lauded Citom for reviving the concept and that the city was ready to buy new mountain bikes but some businessmen had offered to donate the bicycles instead.
Jakosalem said the revival of pedal-powered cops would help cope with the police fuel supply, which is sometimes limited.
Using bicycles is also environment-friendly.
Cebu City Police Chief Patrocinio Comendador Jr. assured that his men are ready for any untoward incident in the Christmas season.
He gave this assurance after an executive meeting with Cebu City officials led by Vice Mayor Michael Rama yesterday.
Comendador presented police security measures for business establishments in the city.
The police chief said they conducted simulations in all malls to help tighten security measures of the establishments against robbers and terrorists.
Cebu City Augustus Pe said he was impressed with Comendador's presentation.
