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The Modern Mounted Police

The Segway is replacing both the horse and the squad car.

Police have always had a problem covering their beat. They used to walk, then rode horses, and that was replaced by squad cars. But although the squad car can cover territory faster, it is not good at getting into tight places, chasing criminals through pedistrian traffic, jumping fences, etc. For that, the policeman still has to get out and get back on foot. Horses were big and easy for criminals to shoot at. Squad cars are big, easy to shoot at, and are not agile in a chase. When the officer is driving, he does not have his hands free to return fire. If he is shot, the car continues onward, becoming a hazard to any bystanders who happen to be in its way.

The Segway is operated by simply changing your canter of gravity, and don't require hands to drive, turn, or change speed. They also present a much smaller moving target for criminals who shoot at the officer, and must worry about the officer returning fire, since the Segway does not require the use of his hands. If an officer dodges in some direction, his Segway will amplify his action and carry him further and faster than he would be able to go without it. If an officer, wearing bulletproof clothing, is hit by a bullet, he will fall off and the Segway will automatically stop and wait for him to get back on again. It will not plow its way through a crowd of innocent bystanders. So, around the world, police departments are beginning to put their officers onto Segways.

A truly intimidating force.

A counter-terrorist exercise known as "Taishan 2008," took place on Jul 2, 2008 in Jinan, Shandong Province, China. Their newly-formed Segway Squad took part in the exercise, showing what they could do in terrorist events. During the exercise, the gyro-engine-powered vehicles showed their ability to fight and capture mock criminals.

Members of this squad quickly learned to appreciate the Segway's agility and speed (up to 12 miles/hour - about twice what a criminal on foot can run). The report that they are pretty happy with them.

Caught one!

The terrorism-prevention exercise in Jinan, China pitted the Segway Force against terrorists in cars and both demonstrated and proved to the Chinese authorities and public that the Segway Force is a force to be reckoned with.

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The physics of the Segway
Training and using the segway in a patrol environment.
FAQ: Segway for Use by Police