Segway patrols called off

THE Queensland Police have confirmed there will be no more Segway patrols as the trial comes to an end.
Senior Constable Pierre Senekal originally trialled the Segway when patrolling the Hastings Street beat before transferring to Kenilworth station.
A police media statement released in March said Kenilworth locals could expect to see more of Senior Constable Senekal on the Segway and that the use of the Segway for patrols had been “really well received by locals”, but the use of the futuristic patrolling method has since been called off.
Local media reports suggested the Segway trial was ended because there were “more crashes than anticipated”, but Sunshine Coast District Officer Darryl Johnson said no QPS members were injured while using the Segways.
Sunshine Coast District Officer Darryl Johnson confirmed the Segway trial had ended, with bicycle, foot and vehicle patrols to continue.
“Last year, two Segways were used within the Hastings Street precinct, but this has now been discontinued,” he said.
“Bicycle, foot and vehicle patrols continue to be undertaken as these provide our officers with the most effective and efficient way to meet our objective to keep the Sunshine Coast safe,” he said.
“The QPS used bicycles successfully during the G20 Leaders’ Summit and these skills are now being implemented on the Sunshine Coast.”
Senior Constable Senekal gained some infamy on the internet last year when his unfortunate Segway stack in Hastings Street was caught on CCTV camera.
The footage was released to raise funds for charity.