The Department of Public Safety (DPS) began using police officers patrolling on mountain bikes in 1997. It began with one police officer and one TREK mountain bike specifically designed for patrol duties. In 1998, the department added a Smith and Wesson Patrol Bike and additional patrol officers to the Unit. DPS received a grant from the local Wal-Mart in 2005 to purchase a Cannondale Manitou police mountain bike. The Bike Patrol Unit currently consists of two police officers and one sergeant.

The Bike Patrol Unit is used in many ways.  It is used for primary patrol duties, special events, parades and as extra patrol to support officers in traditional patrol vehicles during times of increased activity, such as Homecoming, Freshman Move-In Day and Truman Week.

The Bike Patrol Unit is well received by members of the University community, as well as the surrounding neighborhoods. Citizens find the bike officers very approachable and readily stop them to get directions, to ask questions about the Department or to visit for a few minutes. Overall, the Bike Patrol Unit has proved to be a big success.