IPMBA News Vol. 30 No. 1 2021 Product Guide
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Newsletter of the International Police Mountain Bike Association IPMBA Conference 2021? I’m Still Here by Maureen Becker by Allan Howard, PCI #001T Executive Director Dayton (OH) Police Department t is with regret that we find ourselves having to announce ’m sitting here on a cold and snowy day, I that like 2020, 2021 will also be "the year without an I reflecting on the year 2020 and all it IPMBA Conference." brought us. As you may know, in August of There was a period of optimism during which we thought it might last year I had a pretty bad crash on my road be feasible to safely and successfully hold a conference, and we bike. As a result, on August 6, 2020, a were exploring various options with respect to location and pulmonary embolism (PE) blood clot format. However, in light of the ongoing surge of COVID cases, stopped my breathing and heart for over ten the new strains of COVID, the challenges of the vaccination minutes; indeed, I was “gone”. Thanks to rollout, and the varying travel restrictions among the states, we quick-acting first responders and hospital have decided that holding even a scaled-back conference in 2021 personnel, I’m here today to tell the story. is not in our best interest. There are some residual effects from the This decision was not made lightly. We care deeply about the original injures and the PE event but that safety and security of our members and their families. We also won’t stop me from riding my bicycles and need to make fiscally responsible decisions to ensure the long- motorcycles as soon as the snow and cold term financial health of the association. The capacity limits would weather are gone. have made it difficult, if not impossible, to avoid incurring a (Continued on page 35) loss. Attendance would also be affected by staffing shortages, budget cuts, and training freezes. We also recognize that there is a social aspect to the conference, and without communal events, the conference would be missing something. Although there will be no Share your stories! conference, there will still be opportunities for IPMBA members Email tales of your to attend essential public safety trials, tribulations, cyclist training. Information about and triumphs to regional training courses will be [email protected] by posted on our website. We are also exploring the possibility of online June 30, 2021, for training. consideration. Those who are familiar with IPMBA News may recall that one issue is typically dubbed, “Conference Highlights”. In 2020, that issue was transformed into “Conference Retrospective”. In 2021, it will focus on how IPMBA members weathered the dual storms of the pandemic and protests, as well as the actual weather and other natural phenomena. Share your stories! Email tales of your trials, tribulations, and triumphs to [email protected] by June 30, 2021, for consideration. Be sure to include photos! Please direct any questions to [email protected]. Wishing you peace, good health, and happiness throughout the year and beyond. We look forward to welcoming you to our regional trainings and to IPMBA 2022. IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 30, NO. 1 2021 1 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN What We Should Never Sacrifice In the previous issue, Technical Skills answers, options, advice, and I described the public Effective skills are honed with practice assistance. Our extensive experience safety profession as one and on-going skill development. enables us to find solutions for those in which we are called Finding what works and what does not who are overwhelmed and unable to upon to sacrifice much is a continual battle built on experience objectively manage the situation at to protect and serve the and attending training sessions. New hand. citizens we serve. developments are necessary as new Communications Skills Among the sacrifices we techniques and technological advances The abovementioned skills, make are: a normal affect and enhance physical abilities. knowledge, and abilities will not serve schedule, sleep, family Knowledge and Continued Learning anyone well if we cannot effectively time, consistent and Laws change, medical procedures communicate with others. We must healthy diets, the “luxury” of being advance, and technology progresses. clearly, concisely, and compassionately lazy and out of shape, safety, the It is incumbent on those of us in public explain options, direct callers to ability to hunker down, the liberty of service to keep up-to-date. We cannot resources, and field follow-up taking sides, and our First Amendment simply sit back and let the future of our questions and concerns. Physical rights. In this column, I will discuss profession pass us by; we must stay demeanor and professional what public safety personnel should current, and, whenever possible, communication methods are extremely never sacrifice. anticipate future developments. important, especially as Crisis Physical Fitness Without continuous learning, we Intervention Training takes hold and This is repeated throughout our careers, hinder our ability to foresee upcoming public safety collaborates with other yet so many of us fail to fight to changes in public professions to more maintain good health. We get lazy; we demand for and effectively respond to stop habitually working out and eating perception of our Ethics govern the ever-growing mental well. We owe it to ourselves, our services. health crisis. families, and the public to maintain a Devotion and our behavior, Courage high level of fitness so we do not get Collaboration We need the courage to hurt on the job, and so we can enjoy Public service is a and our do right. We need the our post-retirement years. Good fitness calling, an innate courage to face the is especially important for those in desire to help actions must problems of society and specialized, high-stress, and physical others. It is the ever-increasing units like SWAT and bicycle patrol. imperative to be beyond analysis of public safety Morality, Integrity, and Ethics continue to keep – especially law We are the guardians of society and, as alive the devotion, reproach. enforcement. We must such, are rightly held to a higher the burning desire be courageous in our standard. We must set the example for to help others and daily work and be the type of behavior we expect from protect the rights of all. We must vigilant against those who stain our law-abiding citizens. Our actions are collaborate not only among ourselves profession with their words or actions. in law enforcement, emergency scrutinized, and our word, our We all need the courage to look at integrity, and our truthfulness are often medical services, and security, but also ourselves and see where we can with the people, organizations, the final determination of an improve: physical fitness, positive associations, and groups we serve. investigation’s outcome. Ethics govern healthy habits, moral and ethical our behavior, and our actions must be While it is easy to lose focus and behavior, technical skills, knowledge, become jaded over the years, a lazy, beyond reproach. critical thinking, and communication. uncaring, or indifferent public safety Civility, Compassion, and Respect Our profession deals with an The golden rule has passed the test of employee can cause harm of immeasurable proportions. unpleasant side of society. We need time and is as relevant today as it has the courage to admit when we need Critical Thinking and Problem ever been – treat others how you would help, to reach out those who require Solving like to be treated. Tension between our support, and to utilize mental Public safety personnel are problem people can often be reduced with health assistance when necessary. civility, compassion, and respect. solvers, called upon when members of While people will always have the public cannot devise a solution. What do you stand for? What will you differences of opinion and/or opposing We must never sacrifice our ability to courageously never sacrifice? views, treating one other with think critically and solve problems compassion, using respectful language, ranging from the most mundane to the and engaging in civil discourse are still complex, while at the same time viable ways to prevent violent remaining professional and responses. Everyone simply wants to compassionate. It is incumbent upon be treated humanely and with respect. us to continually learn, develop our Craig Lepkowski skills, and assist those in need of 2 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 30, NO. 1 2021 3 4 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION Welcome to the 19th Annual Product Guide! In 2020, police cyclists were portrayed in an uncharacteristically unfavorable manner during some of the protests. In response to these portrayals, as well to as the “Defund Bike Police” movement, some manufacturers and retailers opted to cease or “pause” sales to law enforcement agencies. These, however, were in the minority. IPMBA is grateful to those companies which have continued to support our organization, our members, and the public safety cycling profession as a whole. This issue of IPMBA News is dedicated to our industry partners and celebrates the wide array of products, services, and technologies which they offer. Vote with your wallet! Whenever possible, purchase from companies that truly value your business and support your efforts to protect and serve your community. Put IPMBA’s industry partners at the top of your shopping list! Pages 5-21. Setina Police Bike Rack: Transport Problem Solved by Dave Sanders every bike on the market, ranging from Beaverton (OR) Police Department children’s bikes to large electric cargo bikes. The weight capacity (125 atrol officers often do not have a practical way to transport bicycles. pounds/57 kg) is sufficient to transport any These can be police-issued patrol combination on the market.