The Metropolitan Police Department added 25 Segways to its police force starting June 1, The Washington Post reported.
The police department ordered a special fleet of "police package" Segways, which are either black or white and have a special "police" sticker, front light for night visibility and red and blue flashing lights like those on regular patrol cars. Each machine costs $5,500, according to The Post.
Officers undergo a two-day training program before using the vehicles, including training on nutrition and hydration, information about dealing with the public and a skills test and written exam, The Post reported.
Sgt. Michael Wear told The Post that the machines are part of new Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier's goal to increase interaction with members of the community.
"People will come up to us and say, 'It's kinda silly,'" Wear told The Post. "But you know what they're doing? They're talking to the police on a human level. That's what we want"
