On Patrol: The Role of ATVs in Law Enforcement
Sports enthusiasts, riding hobbyists, and adrenaline junkies all enjoy ATVs and UTVs for the thrill, excitement, and challenge of being outdoors. Farmers and landowners utilize quads for their ability to quickly and easily handle hauling and towing tasks that other vehicles wouldn’t be able to tackle in rough terrain. However, there is an additional group that appreciates the speed and agility that ATVs provide because of their extraordinary capabilities—the men and women who serve in law enforcement, specifically the police.
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ATVs are heavily used by law enforcement agents like park rangers and game wardens when monitoring wide expanses of territory where other vehicles just can’t go, but where the law of the land still needs to be followed. They are also used by police officers and federal agents to take care of a variety of tasks in areas where cars and trucks can’t go, and on missions where a motorcycle can’t provide enough space for picking up passengers or hauling equipment that may be needed for various missions. Some manufacturers even offer special law enforcement models that can be customized with emergency lighting, sirens and public address (PA) systems, and customizable graphics.
We recently checked in with our law enforcement friends to see how they are using quads to help them in their efforts to protect and to serve. Here’s what they shared with us.
Crowd Control
Since ATVs are good at maneuvering and working within tight spaces, they’re great for use at events, road races, and parades when police need to monitor crowds. They can be used to provide roadblock barriers at intersections where roads need to be closed to everyone except pedestrians, without taking a police cruiser out of action that might be needed elsewhere.
ATVs can also provide emergency assistance in event situations if an elderly patron needs help with transportation; an attendee needs to be moved to a medical area; or even to carry fire-suppression equipment if there is an accident that needs attention and a larger rig can’t easily get through the crowd of people. If a conflict or argument breaks out between event patrons, the police can use their ATVs to quickly get to the source, subdue the subjects in question, and take anyone into custody, if necessary. A side by side can also be used to take anyone under arrest to a more secure area, such as a police cruiser.
Patrols and Rescue
Running fences and trails isn’t just for cowboys. Police often use ATVs to conduct perimeter checks along secured areas to inspect for breaches on fenced terrain and to thwart potential criminals from entering the premises simply by showing their presence.
The police also use quads to assist on search and rescue missions, especially when children or hikers get lost, disoriented, or injured while out on trails. Quads can be used in areas where other search and rescue vehicles can’t go, and it helps searchers cover a wider area than foot patrols can achieve. If a lost or injured party is located, an ATV can have onboard medical supplies, food, water, and other essentials that might be immediately needed before medical professionals can arrive. UTVs can also be used to transport non-critically injured or disoriented people to a place where medical assistance can be more readily available.
Disaster Relief
In the aftermath of a disaster such as a storm, tornado, a building explosion, or anything else that might potentially create a lot of debris in the area immediately around the event, it can often be difficult to get emergency vehicles to the victims in a timely manner. On the other hand, ATVs can be used to transport medical supplies, medical professionals, food, water, temporary shelters, and tow debris out of the way at a disaster scene before other vehicles can get to the site.
ATVs can also be used to transport injured victims away from the scene for more intensive medical attention. They can then be used to bring in work crews to areas where trees have fallen across access points so roadways can be cleared for larger emergency and support vehicles so they may get through. In addition, they can be used to drag away cut logs and brush to help other vehicles gain access to the scene more quickly.
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Ready To Roll
Clearly, ATVs and UTVs can be used for a variety of applications. However, if you’re not in law enforcement and want a quad to go out and enjoy nature or to help with chores around the farm or property, these versatile machines can do it all.
Barrett Baker
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