Lincoln police are testing out segways.

Police departments have been using them across the nation. They use no gas and create no emissions.

"One of the attractive things about these is it gives you a little higher profile as you can see. I'm a little higher than all you are. That gives you a higher profile and makes you stand out, and we like our officers to do that," said Capt. Doug Srb, Lincoln Police Department.

Lincoln police are training with segways and trying them for a week, deciding whether it's something that can help here in Lincoln, like it has for more than 400 other departments across the country.

"I can see us using these for limited patrol and special events in the area," Srb said.

At 12 miles an hour, it's easy to chase down criminals anywhere with the big advance being easy interaction between police and the public.

"This is meant we're getting the cops out of the cars and we're getting them back in touch with the community," said Jamie Marsh, Segway Regional Sales Manager.

Some criticize the segways, saying a $6,000 purchase is unnecessary for a job that can be done by a bicycle, but officers say segways are more useful.

"I can do a complete turnaround here if I need to get away from somebody. On a bike I'm going to need to take a wider turn. Bikes in a crowd don't work well," said Officer Jason Hellmuth, Lincoln Police Department.

Officers say the segway isn't ideal for every situation.

"Nebraska tends to have some pretty vicious winters," Hellmuth, said. "And can you wreck it? Yes, I've proved that."

But they're optimistic they'll find plenty of uses if the department decided to buy a couple.

"We're so much more approachable. People don't want to walk up to a police car. That's usually a problem. As far as here, someone can come up and say, 'Hey officer, what's going on,'" Hellmuth said.

The segways can go more than 20 miles on a single charge, and they even recharge going down hills.

Right now LPD is just trying the segways out. They will use them at the University Place Arts Festival on May 10. If they like them, they could purchase two segways for neighborhood patrol.