MPS officers cycling

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.23.031792

I note you seek access to the following information:

Metropolitan Police, officers cycling.
1. Is this cycle response team under a certain division such as frontline policing etc,
2. What divisions are offered to become a cyclist inside the Met?
3. Are they required to wear fluorescent colours whilst on shift, on a pedal bike? (Can policy be provided?)

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Metropolitan Police, officers cycling
Q1 - Is this cycle response team under a certain division such as frontline policing etc.

There is not a dedicated cycle response team within the MPS. Each BCU (Basic Command Unit / OCU (Operational Command Unit) has the option to train officers to enable them to use a cycle as operationally required, the only dedicated cycle team in the MPS is the Cycle Safety Team which is part of the Roads and Transport Policing Command, this team is primarily tasked to reduce the number of cyclists hurt in collisions.

Q2 - What divisions are offered to become a cyclist inside the Met?

Every officer in the MPS has the opportunity to be cycle trained if there is an operational need.

Q3 - Are they required to wear fluorescent colours whilst on shift, on a pedal bike? (Can policy be provided?)

MPS cyclists patrol in uniform and plain clothes depending on the purpose of the patrol, if in uniform the current policy states high visibility clothing should be worn.

POLICY
3.3 Safety equipment
A Service approved safety helmet must be worn when a cycle is ridden on duty, regardless of whether the rider is wearing uniform or plain clothes. Staff who for religious reasons can’t wear a helmet for example members of the Sikh community refrain from wearing a cycle helmet. This must be discussed and recorded by their line manager so they are aware of the risks of not wearing protective headgear. This is to comply with health and safety legislation.

An approved safety helmet incorporating appropriate insignia is available through the SLO and is the only safety helmet to be used for uniformed patrolling. For police staff and police officers wearing plain clothes, unmarked helmets complying with the safety standard (BS 1078 1997) will be purchased by Uniform services to order.

For covert operations, under limited circumstances, it may be justifiable not to wear a helmet. This must be fully risk assessed and approved by local senior management.

The risk assessment process must involve local Police Federation or Staff Association representatives. A record of the decision not to wear a helmet must be kept by the person responsible for planning the operation.

The assumption is that an approved helmet will be worn unless it can be shown to be detrimental to the operation's success.

When police staff and police officers are patrolling in uniform, they must wear Met approved high visibility reflective jackets unless the activity is wholly off road (e.g. the terminals at Heathrow Airport) and has been risked assessed and approved by local senior management.

Where approval has been given by the local senior management as mentioned above not to wear high visibility reflective jackets it must be carried on the cycle at all times. It must be worn whenever an officer stops to deal with a road incident of any nature, or when employed on aid unless directed otherwise.

There are exemptions for Sikh staff who wear turbans, and females wearing Hijabs. The decision not to wear a helmet should follow a risk assessment process, which involves local Police Federation or Staff Association representatives.