When community safety calls for a fresh approach, Round Rock’s newest police unit is already on the move. The Special Assignments Unit (SAU) is composed of officers trained to conduct proactive patrols, strengthen community relations and promote public safety throughout the city. The unit includes bike-patrol officers working downtown, in parks and along trail systems; off-road capable vehicles that bring law-enforcement presence to hard-to-reach green spaces; and a certified K-9 explosives-detection team that supports large public events and venue sweeps.

Activated earlier this summer, the unit brings flexible, forward-looking coverage to places standard patrol cars can’t always reach.

“Our Special Assignments Unit allows us to take a more flexible and community-focused approach to public safety,” said Police Chief Allen Banks. “Their ability to patrol a wide range of environments – while staying connected with the public – is a tremendous asset to our community.”

With an e-bike unit new to RRPD, the Department is putting modern technology to work in community policing. While e-bikes themselves aren’t new, the batteries they run on have improved significantly in recent years, making them more reliable, versatile and practical for everyday patrols. More and more police departments are literally hopping on the trend — including Round Rock.

Perhaps no city is better suited for such a patrol model. With over 2,300 acres of parkland and more than 20 miles of hike and bike trails, Round Rock demands that officers be mobile in non-traditional patrol zones. Residents consistently tell us their parks and trails matter — and SAU is helping meet that demand.

Whether on the trail, downtown sidewalk, park greenway or in an off-road vehicle, SAU bridges the gap between standard street patrol and specialized response units. In doing so, it strengthens safety, presence and approachability. And with the K-9 team ready for event-based assignments or threat detection, the unit doesn’t just handle routine patrol: it enhances readiness for high-profile gatherings as well.

“Whether it’s increasing visibility downtown, improving response times on our trails, or enhancing safety at large events, this unit strengthens our efforts to keep Round Rock safe and engaged,” added Chief Banks.