Guardians of the Greenway

If you've spent time on a City of Raleigh greenway or at a park, there's a good chance you've seen - but not necessarily heard - them. The Raleigh Police Department's Parks and Greenway Unit has six officers, who use silent, electric Enduro motorcycles to patrol 125 miles of greenway and 235 city parks. They ensure safety for bikers, joggers, and pedestrians. They also interact with the community, address complaints, and assist with medical emergencies.

"This job offers opportunities to help others every day," says Sgt. J.A. Burgess. "Sometimes it's about repairing someone's bicycle on a greenway. Another time it's about going to a spot that an ambulance can't reach and transporting an injured person to safety."

Members of the unit are police officers first and foremost. They address suspicious activity, investigate crimes, and act as a visible presence to deter crime. They work closely with the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department and attend public events. "We take ownership of the safety of City parks and greenways," says Lt. S.P. Womack.

The unit, established in 2022, originally had two officers, and they patrolled mostly on foot and bicycles. To increase efficiency, the unit received its first Enduro motorcycles about three years ago. They are fully electric, with zero emissions and no noise. The staffing also increased and recently the unit received two side-by-side UTVs, off-road vehicles that seat up to four people. The Raleigh Police Department Foundation funded the Enduro motorcycles.

Love for Outdoors

Members of the greenway unit are experienced officers certified in riding the Enduro bikes. They also share a love for the outdoors - although sometimes the weather doesn't make that easy. "You're exposed to the elements all day, every day," Burgess says. "So, you need to plan differently - and more - compared to having a vehicle to rely on."

The officers enjoy engaging with the public. "You have to, since you are constantly in contact with members of the public," Womack says. "All of our officers are passionate about their work and highly motivated to do it - and the public benefits from that."

Specialized Units

Having a variety of specialized teams, such as the Parks and Greenway Unit, is one of RPD's strong points. At Raleigh Police, members have the opportunity to work full-time in specialized units such as the Mounted Unit, Motors, K-9, and Selective Enforcement Unit.

The department is currently looking for candidates for its lateral police school, scheduled to start in late June.