Tulsa Police Get Segways for Patrolling Downtown and Parks
Tulsa Police will be more mobile and more environmentally friendly in patrolling downtown, assisting with events at the new BOK Center and other events where large crowds gather with the use of six new electrically powered Segways.
The new personal-transportation vehicles, including four designed for use on paved surfaces and two “all-terrain” Segways with larger tires, were unveiled last week and were used for the first time in conjunction with the Saturday night concert by the Eagles at the BOK Center. The all-terrain models can also be used at River Parks and other unpaved venues.
Tulsa police officers were trained by EMSA personnel in the use of their Segways. EMSA has been using the devices since 2003. More than 450 police departments throughout the nation now use Segways for various duties.
The police-model segways, complete with flashing lights and sirens, can travel about 12 miles per hour. Because of their small size they can be used in crowds and can maneuver among parked vehicles and other obstructions that make the use of police cars impractical. The department said about $36,000 was spent on purchasing the new vehicles.