Police Cycle-Patrols in Finland: A Qualitative Study Applying the Diamond Model
| Author | Per Gårder,Ralf Risser,Lars Leden,Jörgen Lundälv |
| Published date | 01 December 2008 |
| Date | 01 December 2008 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1350/pojo.2008.81.4.425 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
JÖRGEN LUNDÄLV
Associate Professor in Traffic Medicine, Department of Surgical
and Perioperative Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
PER GÅRDER
Professor of Civil Engineering, Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, USA
RALF RISSER
Proprietor, FACTUM Chaloupka & Risser OHG, Vienna, Austria
LARS LEDEN
Senior Research Scientist, Technical Research Centre of
Finland (VTT), Espoo, Finland
POLICE CYCLE-PATROLS IN
FINLAND: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
APPLYING THE DIAMOND MODEL
This article describes a study in Finland of self-assessed risks
and safety of policemen and women patrolling on bicycles.
The study included focus-group interviews with police officers
about their activities and ways of improving their situation.
The interviews were structured into five different solution
areas according to the Diamond Model: cycle-patrol officer,
police bicycle, infrastructure, society/structure and commun-
ication. The study also included a questionnaire about police
cycling activities in Helsinki, and active cycle-patrol officers’
responses were analysed. The purpose of this study was to look
at how police activities in Helsinki can be advanced and, in
particular, how cycle-patrol members perceive their own
safety, visibility and calming effect on other road users. It was
also intended to study demands on the bicycle and other
equipment used.
Keywords: Cycle-patrol officers; police cycling; risks; the
Diamond Model, Finland
Introduction
Police cycle-patrols are becoming more and more common in
many countries. In the US, there are in many states fairly long
experiences with this activity. However, there are very few
studies evaluating the pros and cons of this activity, such as risks
connected to cycling. During the time police cycle-patrolling has
The Police Journal, Volume 81 (2008) 323
DOI: 10.1358/pojo.2008.81.4.425
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