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Chief of Police
Scott Rohmer
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Employee Email
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 Mountain Bike Unit
In the spring of 1995, now Lt. David Beaudoin of the Ashland Police Department, having a personal interest in riding
mountain bikes, sparked an interest within the Ashland Police Dept. in
developing a Mountain Bike Unit. The concept of officers being able to get out
into the streets and neighborhoods for positive police contact with Ashland
residents, developed into a beneficial program. In October of 1995, Detective
Beaudoin receive the first of four mountain bikes for the Ashland Police
Department. Dave was the first Ashland Police Officer to be trained by the
C.O.B.W.E.B. Bike School (COPS ON BIKES WITH EDUCATION FOR BICYCLISTS).
Following Dave's graduation, he pushed for a fully equipped Mountain Bike Unit
for the Ashland Police Department.
Sgt. Steven Zanella was assigned to supervise this new unit. In April of 1995,
the new Police Unit was trained at the COBWEB School in basic Bicycle handling
skills, patrol skills. The training conditioned the officers to react to a wide
range of situations that one may confront while on a mountain bike. Specialized
areas of training included, the Community Policing Philosophy; proper
nutritional concepts, body fuels, strength and fitness principles coupled with
climate terrain, day and night patrol tactics, traffic suspect contact, armed
confrontations and unit communications. The Mountain Bike Unit has become an
efficient and effective police tool, in Community Policing. Officers are working
with youths and the elderly by getting out into the community, parking lots,
housing complexes, congested areas, to interact with residents and our youths.
The officers have the opportunity to hear the concerns of residents and attend
to the needs of the community as they arise. Officers are selected for the Bike
Unit for their good physical condition, ability to interact positively and work
closely with the public. The officers must be self motivated, work well with
other officers and maintain a positive attitude. The Ashland Police Bike Unit
can be seen during the evening and day hours on patrol at such events as the
Boston Marathon and at summer concert events. The Bike Unit has also sponsored a
Bike Rodeo for Ashland children and assisted with the "Dare To Know Your Police,
Night Out" at Stone Park. The Bike Unit made several drug arrests while on
patrol and proved to be an invaluable tool for silent unobtrusive approach of
suspected criminal activity. The community response has been very positive. This
form of community policing has allowed youths to interact with our officers at
playgrounds and sporting events. We hope to provide personal contact with our
children to promote a positive image to re-enforce that we are a form of support
to then and the community, rather than a hindrance.
The elderly have expressed their
pleasure and security with having officers ride through their neighborhoods and
apartment complexes. The Bike Unit offers a sense of security to the community
as a whole. Chief Rohmer expects that the Unit will be able to increase patrols
in parks, neighborhoods, shopping malls as this is a great means of educating
youths about bike safety, public awareness and community policing contacts with
our residents.
Introducing The 2007 APD Mountain Bike Patrol
Chief Scott Rohmer - Lt.
Dave Beaudoin - Lt. Richard Briggs
Sgt. Steve Zanella - Sgt.
Roy Testa - Sgt. Greg Wildman
- Sgt. Brendan Ellis
Detective Joseph Magnani -
Officer William Foster - Officer David Muri
Officer Rob Araujo
- Officer Paul Kavangh -
Detective Gregg Fawkes
Officer Kasey
McClements - Officer Michael Vinciulla
- Officer Dimitri Karpouzis
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