Capitol police trying out Segway

By Max Heuer

WASHINGTON, Oct. 16, 2002--Gliding atop a Segway Human Transporter, shifting forward then back and finally spinning around on the West front of the Capitol, Officer Ronald Sellner, a 10-year veteran of the Capitol Police force, was enjoying himself on a recent sunny weekday afternoon.

A crowd of about 10 watched Sellner, who ignored a handful of noisy anti-war protesters to talk with reporters and other passers by while he balanced on the Segway.

Dealing with angry protestors, lost tourists and Capitol crime can be grueling work but the Capitol Police force is currently testing the Segway to determine whether the device could make their job easier.

Sellner is one of six Capitol officers, selected out of 1400 mostly on the basis of seniority, chosen for the Segway test to determine whether it would improve response time and the effectiveness of officers moving quickly in a large crowd.

"It's like a futuristic Roman chariot," Sellner said, demonstrating his control over the two wheeled device by easing backward on it and then turning quickly. He added he thought his three-year-old son "would love it."

"It is very important" for Capitol police officers "to interact with the public and do hands-on work," deputy chief Marsha Krug said. "Standing on the Segway gives you the ability to have that personal interaction."

Krug added that the recently appointed Capitol Police Chief Terrance Gainer was "interested in utilizing technology" to upgrade police work.

The two Segway devices are being leased from the New Hampshire-based Segway company for two months at a total cost of $1,400.

Krug said different divisions within the department would be testing the vehicles every day, operating the vehicle on different terrains and in tight spaces among crowds of people to see if it could help an officer.

Officers need to move from the various congressional office buildings quickly, she said. "On the Segway a person can move rather quickly to an incident to assist in any kind of situation."

Sellner underwent an eight-hour training course, and said that learning to balance on the machine was the trickiest part of operating it.

Once while practicing, the machine's sensitivity made Sellner stop short accidentally and fall forward.

"You lean forward and it wants to go the full (12 miles an hour)," he said.

Sellner said he thought the Segway would help an officer in a footchase, but not necessarily more than a mountain bike or motorcycle.

While the device moves well up hills and on flat ground, Sellner said it could not climb stairs, an important consideration since there are numerous staircases on the Capitol grounds.

The police have about 6 or 7 mountain bikes and 30 to 40 motorcycles on patrol each day, Sellner said.

Krug said the Segway costs $4,000 to $5,000, depending on the features, and that there is some concern officers would become "less fit" if they rarely had to walk on patrols.

She said the decision about whether to purchase any Segways for the department would be made before the end of this year, after a survey. Krug said there is a small amount of money available in this year's budget that could go toward buying a few of the machines, but a major purchase would have to be included in future budgets.

The National Parks Service, Boston EMS Department and the Chicago Police Department are also testing the Segway, considering possible future use in their departments.

Published in The Manchester Union Leader, in New Hampshire.