Minneapolis Police will have an extra presence on the Midtown Greenway on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the summer. Officers from the Third Precinct on bicycles along with members of the department's Bike Rapid Response Team started patroling the 5.5-mile long trail that runs from Lake Calhoun to the Mississippi River Thursday. The police presence brings more eyes to the trail, which includes the Trail Watch safety patrol, Crime Prevention Task Force and riders who alertly call 911 when they see something suspicious. "We are excited about using these patrol techinques to improve public safety, greater visibility in the community, build stronger partnership with the Midtown Greenway Coalition and bicyclists," said Michael Sullivan, an inspector in the Third Precinct. The MPD Bike Patrol is a voluntary position that officers undertake in addition to their normal duties within the department. Officers of the MPD Bike patrol undergo a week training course and must successfully negotiate a challenging obstacle course in order to become certified Bike Patrol Officers for the Minneapolis Police Department. The officers who participate in police bike activities are certified through the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) police cyclist course.
