Const. Shawn Currie uses his bike as a means of transportation for his job, a police officer with HRP.
Const. Shawn Currie cycles everyday, but not for recreation, it’s a requirement for his job.
Currie is the community response officer for the Halifax Regional Police, basically he cycles around town, enforcing bylaws and works with the downtown community.
“My job is basically to be the liaison between business community and the public,” he said. “Part of my job is to interact with the businesses and help solve their problems.”
He’s been an officer for 27 years and has been using a bicycle “on and off” for the last 15 years.
“It’s been consistent the last seven (years) and I ride year-round, weather permitting,” he said.
He is the only community officer to ride year-round.
“I love biking, it’s a great job, I get health benefits while I’m still working,” he said.
He said he helps the homeless and helps those looking for work as well.
“The bike is a means for me to get around, I work in an area that’s quite dense,” he said. “To walk it takes quite a bit (of time) and to ride a car, I’d be in and out of a car quite often and I lose that personal connection.”
“The bicycle allows me to still stop and talk to people quickly and get around quickly while I’m doing it,” said Currie.
Currie’s favorite part of the job is talking to people.
“I love meeting people from out of town, hearing different ideas, but just getting to know people in general,” he said.
Currie said he doesn’t have time to ride for fun, between work and other sports, he’s an avid soccer player.
Remember, no motorcycle parking in the circle by the ferry terminal. This ruthless biker was caught yesterday ! pic.twitter.com/GgzU4j46vy
— Halifax_Police (@HfxRegPolice) July 5, 2015
Currie made international news when he posed with a three-year-old, giving the kid a gave parking ticket when he parked his toy motorcycle.
“We thought it would be cute to go over and pretend to write a parking ticket,” he told the Toronto Star. “We were all laughing.”