BRANSON, Mo. -- The Branson Police Department is adding two new bike cops to the force. You might think a bicycle wouldn't be ideal for catching criminals, but the police department says bicycles have their own advantages.
Officers Richard Ramage and Caleb Teig were riding bicycles long before they started policing the streets of Branson, Mo.
"I always liked bikes when I was younger and I always wanted to be a police officer," Teig said. "When I found out I could do both of them at the same time I knew it was what I wanted to do."
"It's just exciting to be spending time on a bicycle," Ramage agrees.
That's why the Branson Police Department chose them to spend an occasional shift biking through neighborhoods, instead of riding in a police.
"It adds a little more danger to it than your standard patrol," Teig said.
The two officers bike dozens of miles a day, up hilly streets and through busy intersections. Bikes aren't as powerful as police cars but, in some cases, that's a good thing.
"People are excited to see us on bicycles," Ramage said, "and they like seeing us out talking to them instead of riding around in a car."
Bikes seem more approachable than your average police car. And even though you wouldn't want a bike for a high speed chase, it's better for peddling good will across the neighborhood.
"We've had people call me because I've met them on a bicycle," Teig said. "I've had them call me while I was out on patrol to come out and deal with other problems."
They say it's also easier to see some types of crime, because they're not limited to the inside of a car.
"A lot of people only see police officers when they're in some type of negative situation," Teig said. "Being on a bike, we approach them in a very neutral manner and we're very friendly and we really just want to get to talk to them and let them know that we're people and we just want to protect them the best we can."
And then there's extra benefits. No gas, lower maintenance costs, and a built-in exercise program.
"It keeps you in shape," Teig said, "lets you go out and enjoy the fresh air gets you out of the house. It's a little bit of an adrenaline rush too."
"The kids are always excited to see us," Ramage said, "wanting to know how far we ride, asking if its fun."
And as the only two bicycle units in the city of Branson, they've become local celebrities.
"We had two people recognize my name and my face from the paper," Ramage said. "And they wanted to know why I was in a car instead of on a bicycle."
Officers Richard Ramage and Caleb Teig were riding bicycles long before they started policing the streets of Branson, Mo.
"I always liked bikes when I was younger and I always wanted to be a police officer," Teig said. "When I found out I could do both of them at the same time I knew it was what I wanted to do."
"It's just exciting to be spending time on a bicycle," Ramage agrees.
That's why the Branson Police Department chose them to spend an occasional shift biking through neighborhoods, instead of riding in a police.
"It adds a little more danger to it than your standard patrol," Teig said.
The two officers bike dozens of miles a day, up hilly streets and through busy intersections. Bikes aren't as powerful as police cars but, in some cases, that's a good thing.
"People are excited to see us on bicycles," Ramage said, "and they like seeing us out talking to them instead of riding around in a car."
Bikes seem more approachable than your average police car. And even though you wouldn't want a bike for a high speed chase, it's better for peddling good will across the neighborhood.
"We've had people call me because I've met them on a bicycle," Teig said. "I've had them call me while I was out on patrol to come out and deal with other problems."
They say it's also easier to see some types of crime, because they're not limited to the inside of a car.
"A lot of people only see police officers when they're in some type of negative situation," Teig said. "Being on a bike, we approach them in a very neutral manner and we're very friendly and we really just want to get to talk to them and let them know that we're people and we just want to protect them the best we can."
And then there's extra benefits. No gas, lower maintenance costs, and a built-in exercise program.
"It keeps you in shape," Teig said, "lets you go out and enjoy the fresh air gets you out of the house. It's a little bit of an adrenaline rush too."
"The kids are always excited to see us," Ramage said, "wanting to know how far we ride, asking if its fun."
And as the only two bicycle units in the city of Branson, they've become local celebrities.
"We had two people recognize my name and my face from the paper," Ramage said. "And they wanted to know why I was in a car instead of on a bicycle."
