Policy Fall 2010

ipmbaNewsletter of the International Police newsMountain Bike Association IPMBA: Promoting and Advocating Education and Organization for Public Safety Bicyclists. Vol. 19, No. 4 Doing More with Less Grant Me My Wish by Maureen Becker Applying for grants need not be a daunting Executive Director experience. Here’s how to get started and be he end of the year is drawing near, and chances are your mailbox has been filling up with requests for charitable successful. contributions. As you decide which organizations are most by Mac Kemp, MEd, EMT-P deserving of your financial support, please keep IPMBA in mind. Leon County (FL) EMS Although IPMBA has not yet engaged in direct mail fundraising, we o many people, grants are a mystery. They can are classified as a 501(c)3 organization; therefore, any contributions seem like magic money that comes from secret above and beyond your membership dues are considered charitable and places. So how do you decide to apply for a are deductible from your income tax. grant and go about getting it done? Because IPMBA is a very lean organization, we have for many years Grants are simply money that is earmarked for very been able to support our activities primarily through membership dues, specific purposes. Grant makers have money they want conference fees, and advertising income. In recent years, this has distributed to further their unique missions, and if you become more difficult to do. can be part of their mission, they are willing to give you The financial constraints affecting you and your department affect money. That is truly the key to successful grant writing: IPMBA, too. As departments cut training budgets, they send fewer making your priorities fit with granters’. In this article people to training courses and to the IPMBA conferences. Some we will walk through getting ready to apply for grants in departments which once provided memberships to all bike personnel a systematic way that anyone can follow. Grant writing have placed moratoria on such expenditures. Even industry members takes time and experience, but you can start making are affected – if fewer bikes and uniforms are purchased, suppliers progress and set goals along the way to make your sometimes have less to invest in advertising, As you decide which appeals successful. exhibitor fees, and sponsorships. organizations are most The good news is, yes, you should apply. Every year the deserving of your Like you, IPMBA has been doing more with federal government, states and private foundations give financial support, please less. Even as the cost of doing business has away literally billions of dollars. All of these funds fall keep IPMBA in mind increased, we have not raised our dues in into specific categories with specific requirements, but seven years. Conference registration fees when you are eligible for a grant, you should go for it. have held steady since 2008, and will not be higher in 2011. Yet we The fact of grant writing is that most applications are have continued to offer world-class training experiences, maintain an turned down — many for not meeting guidelines, not information-packed website, attract new participants to our members- following instructions or because there were too many only discount program, publish four issues of IPMBA News annually, and update and upgrade our curricula. (Continued on page 26) Our crowning achievement of the last few years has also been our most expensive. The award-winning Fundamental Skills for Public Safety Cycling came at a cost of $40,000. Mocean Uniforms provided inside extremely generous sponsorship support, but half the cost remains Conference 2011 ...... 24 unfunded. Corporate Members ...... 12 Don’t expect to find a fancy appeal in your mailbox, promising all Industry ...... 12-13 kinds of great gifts in return for your financial support. We are simply ArmorPUR ...... 13 asking you to include IPMBA among your charitable contributions this Product Purchase Program Updates ...... 12 year. All contributors will receive a thank you letter for tax purposes Instructor Corner...... 22-23 and will be gratefully acknowledged in an upcoming issue of IPMBA Issue Focus: Policy ...... 5-10 News. It is About the Bike...... 5 Partnership Required? ...... 5 Please make your check payable to IPMBA and mail it to 583 Pedal Retention Primer ...... 9 Frederick Road, Suite 5B, Baltimore MD 21228. Be sure to indicate Traffic Stops: Lessons from Milwaukee...... 8 that your check is a donation, and include your name, member number, Member News ...... 18-22 and contact information. News from the UK ...... 16 President’s Column...... 2 ThankIPMBA you NEWS, for your VOL. support. 19, NO. 4 1 President’s Column Why is Bike Patrol Still a Novelty? recently participated in the information- What can we, as public safety cyclists, do to close this gap? gathering portion of a newspaper article for Information about how effective bike patrol can be is already a college journalist. The intent of the article out there, as evidenced by the numerous news stories about I was to introduce bicycle patrol and bike public safety cycling, not to mention all the articles in the officers to a community in which they were soon IPMBA News archives at www.ipmba.org/newsletter.htm. to be implemented due to rising fuel prices. His The stats prove it from the law enforcement, EMS, and security idea was to familiarize the community with bike standpoint. Public servants on bikes get the job done, no patrol and explain what it could do prior to the question about it. So how do we push ourselves to the forefront bike cops just showing up in neighborhoods. of our agency and communities? From the police standpoint, As I spoke with the young The reason that bikes are still how do we ensure that we do not get man, it became painfully obvious that he pulled off the bikes and put solely in had no real idea about bike patrol, neither considered a novelty is that we vehicles? From an EMS view, how how it came to be nor what it could do. have not done our job to educate creative can we be with deploying the From what I could determine, his local people as to the outstanding job bikes instead of an ambulance or police department had a bike patrol that we do on those bikes. ambulance cart? We need to get program, but it functioned in such a involved, and take on even those less than manner that it was hardly even noticed. ideal assignments to prove that we are an essential, functional After I hung up the phone, I thought, “Why is bike patrol still part of operations, not just public relations folks who ride such a novelty?” Modern police bicycle patrol has been in around getting tanned. We need to be the FIRST units to fill an existence since the late 1980’s, and EMS cycling started shortly assignment, not an afterthought. thereafter; yet many communities and agencies do not Finally, we have to stop thinking, “I’m just doing my job”, and understand the bikes and what they can and cannot do. call attention to our accomplishments. How often we get The reason that bikes are still considered a novelty is that WE utilized and how much funding we get quite often depends on have not done OUR job of educating people – both inside and our efforts to demonstrate how indispensible we are to the outside of our agencies – as to the OUTSTANDING impact command staff in our agencies and the leaders and residents of that we make with those bikes. our communities. Stay Safe,

BECOME AN IPMBA INSTRUCTOR ipmba news Newsletter of the INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION 583 Frederick Road, Suite 5B Baltimore, MD 21228 PH: 410-744-2400 ~ FX: 410-744-5504 E-mail: [email protected] Join the ranks of more than 1,000 of your fellow public Web site: www.ipmba.org David Hildebrand safety bicyclists by becoming an IPMBA Instructor. IPMBA President Maureen Becker Executive Director; Managing Editor all 410-744-2400 or email [email protected] for an instructor Jennifer Horan Design and Layout C application packet. In the simplest of terms, to become an Instructor, you must meet the criteria outlined in the packet, apply Copyright 2010 © International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA). to IPMBA headquarters, be approved, then register for and attend Reproduction without permission is prohibited. one of the Instructor Courses. Upcoming courses will be held The International Police Mountain Bike Association promotes the use of bikes for public safety, December 6-10, 2010, in Baton Rouge, LA; and April 9-13, 2011, provides resources and networking opportunities, and offers the best, most complete training for in Richmond, VA. public safety cyclists. IPMBA Membership is $50.00 per year. Check out www.ipmba.org for Interested in submitting an article? Interested in advertising in IPMBA News? Instructor Course information. Email [email protected] for information.

2 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 3 4 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010

Policy and procedures. Standard operating guidelines. SOPs. Regardless of their title, these documents establish a framework for decision-making, provide direction, and guide both day- to-day and special operations. Rather than being “set in stone”, bike policies, like others, should offer flexibility. They should also be reviewed periodically to ensure continued relevance. As the year draws to a close, here are some policy points to ponder. Pages 5-10.

Partnership Required? It is About the Bike

by Kirby Beck, PCI #002T/EMSCI #017T by Sgt. James T. Donaldson, PCI #984 Coon Rapids (MN) Police Department (retired) Covington (KY) Police Department mplementing standard operating guidelines, PMBA has not yet approved “cross bikes” for use

policies, and procedures is essential to maximizing in IPMBA training, but does not rule out the the effectiveness of a bicycle unit. When crafting a possibility that they may be practical in some policy or guidelines, it is important to strike a situations, or something to that effect. balance. The document should be detailed enough to “Do more with less.” Sound familiar? If you are a police provide guidance, but not so detailed as to be restrictive. It administrator or supervisor, you have either heard it or said it. must be flexible enough to allow for continued operations even If you are a police cyclist, you should embrace it. Now is the as conditions change. time, more than ever, to show your administration, and more One matter of policy that has garnered attention during the importantly your city leaders, what you can do with a well- economic downturn is whether or not bike officers should be trained, well-equipped bike unit. Now is the time to push the permitted to patrol alone. Staffing shortages have forced many boundaries. agencies to assess whether or not bike patrol is the most I won’t bore you with fuel saving studies or drone on about effective use of limited personnel. A policy that requires bike community relations. I won’t even touch on the physical officers to have partners often provides one more excuse to benefits and the savings in sick time. These are all things that veto bike patrol! you and hopefully your administration already know. What I The first question that arises with respect to solo bike patrol is would like to do is tell you about a program that was started in that of officer safety. While this author was fortunate to be our city about six years ago and has surpassed every able to ride alone much of the time, it is necessary to expectation and hope. The program was our effort to replace acknowledge that there are some communities, or areas within our mountain bikes with cyclo-cross bikes. Oh yes, we did! them, that are just too crime-ridden and dangerous to allow The challenge we faced was that our administration didn’t bike officers – or any police officers– understand what we were capable of and would not direct the to patrol alone. Restrictive policies result in dispatch center as to how to utilize us. The bike program was There is no question that bike patrol underutilization of treated as a novelty. We were a 120-person department with officers have numerous advantages two bikes on each shift (six total), all of them mountain bikes. over their patrol car cohorts. Bike many of the “Ride when you want. Don’t break anything. Get back in the officers are much more approachable advantages that an car if we get busy.” That was our bike program. That was also to the public, enabling them to quickly intelligent and eight years ago, when the bike spots were given out to the most gain the trust and respect of motivated bike senior officers who put in for it. No interviews, no prior community members, and enhancing officer, even working experience, no questions asked. There was neither direction their ability to identify and solve alone, brings to the nor expectations, and nobody wanted to rock the boat. problems. Through their uninhibited community. The change started when a new sergeant who knew a thing or senses, they gain a heightened two about bikes was put in charge of trying to make the awareness of the community and detect crime more readily. program useful. There were several openings at the time and Because of their stealthy nature and ability to roll up on crimes the officers who got picked were avid tri-athletes and cyclists. in progress, experienced criminals fear the unpredictable and The perfect storm was brewing. swift bike officers more than most other types of police patrols. Our city is truly diversified in that it has a large urban core, Solo vs. Pairs several “downtown” neighborhoods, a dedicated business / These reasons, coupled with the lack of protection afforded by entertainment district, and some seriously sprawling a police car, have caused some agencies to require bike officers subdivisions. We are located in Northern Kentucky, so very to ride with partners. While at first this may seem ideal, look few of our 13.75 square miles are flat. We have several large critically at policies that prohibit officers from ever working parks along the rivers that comprise our borders, and the crown bike patrol alone. They too often suppress bike patrol and with jewel of the county, Devou Park, is located on top of a small it, its multitude of benefits. Restrictive policies result in mountain inside our city. This park alone encompasses about underutilization of many of the advantages that an intelligent 800 acres. All of the parks contain hiking, running, and (Continued on page 6) (Continued on page 7)

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 5

Partnership Required? A Matter of Policy

(Continued from page 5) team of at least two officers for nighttime injured by the same assailant suggest that and motivated bike officer, even working bike patrol. “safety in numbers” may be a bit of a alone, brings to the community. Darkness obviously adds to the already false premise. Recent events and So what is the best way to determine stealthy nature of bike policing. Quite incidents have too often shown us that whether to ride solo or with a partner? often bike officers will ride up Common sense. Police agencies routinely onto incidents in progress use common sense in assessing what to without immediately realizing allow. Police officers are expected to it. They may not have time to constantly use common sense and request a cover unit. While this exercise good judgment. happens in the daytime as well, nighttime and darkness only add If an officer in a police car would work a particular area alone, then why not an to the suddenness and danger. officer on a bike? What bike officers lack Bike officers go where patrol in the moving cover provided by a car, cars can’t: into alleys, behind they often make up for in additional buildings, down trails, under “intel” from sounds, voices and other cues bridges, and all the other places as they approach the area. Would a car- criminals lurk. If they fall and bound cop go into a violent domestic or get hurt, or become injured other potentially dangerous situation some other way, darkness may alone? Then neither should a bike prevent them from being seen or officer. Back up is always nice to discovered. Car officers have. Sometimes you can wait for it, and responding to a call for sometimes you can’t. That’s why police assistance will instinctively look work is dangerous. It doesn’t really first for the police car, and then matter how you arrive on the scene! start their search for the officer Department administrators might throw from there. Since bike officers usually despite the presence of multiple officers, have their bike with them, there is nothing the “L-word” out as a reason for LEOs can, and will, unfortunately, get prohibiting bike patrol with less than two obvious for back-up officers to look for. hurt and killed in this often dirty and officers. Ask your attorney, but it is For these reasons, it is nice to have a dangerous business of policing. Safety doubtful that a department would have cover officer omnipresent after dark. may be better enhanced through improved any real liability unless it is seriously Safety in Numbers? situational awareness, sound tactics and negligent in training and A similar debate has been “raging” good judgment, all of which are possible equipment. Police work is always around law enforcement for years. when a bike officer is working solo. dangerous and dependent upon the Should patrol units be required to have In Conclusion individual decisions two officers, or are single When it comes to setting guidelines for and actions of its officer units okay? While Policies should be solo bike patrol, there is no “one size fits personnel. two officers are perceived all.” Departments can’t flexible enough to to be safer, some studies Policies, or guidelines, should be flexible always affect that, even allow for the safe use have found that officers if they provide quality working two-person units enough to allow for the safe use of this of this valuable valuable community-policing tool – bike training and equipment are more likely to be that is up-to-date as community-policing assaulted and are involved patrol – as often as possible. One well as relevant and tool — bike patrol — in altercations more often effective officer on bike patrol is still realistic. as often as possible. than officers working solo. better than zero! Night Patrol Could it be that officers Kirby is one of IPMBA’s founding members working alone act more cautiously and and an author of both the Complete Guide to Some agencies have policies Police Cycling and the Complete Guide to recommending that bike officers working treat people differently? Don’t they wait for cover officers when necessary? If so, Public Safety Cycling. Since his retirement in low-light conditions ride with a partner from the police department, he has established why wouldn’t bike officers working alone if at all possible. Others require it. a bike consulting/expert witness company and Because every agency is unique, IPMBA do so as well? is logging lots of miles. He can be reached at has made no definitive recommendation In recent years, the FBI’s reports on [email protected]. in this regard. Perhaps the best policy is officers killed have demonstrated that we one which allows solo patrol during can’t always find safety in numbers. daytime hours, and strongly encourages a Incidents with multiple officers killed or

6 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010

It is About the Bike, cont.

(Continued from page 5) and responsiveness. Parking garages were wintertime racing in cycling trails, both paved and unpaved. cleared in half the time, and when some of Europe. The bikes typically are raced on There are also a number of trails in our the larger businesses had to be cleared, we courses encompassing sand, gravel, wilderness areas throughout the city and rode through them. We became single-track dirt trails, paved roads, and along the rivers. With the exception of indispensable. We also grew to four on a open pastures or grass fields. We very the two weeks a year when we get shift for a total of 12 plus a supervisor, all much enjoy riding them through the mud substantial snowfall, it is the perfect on cyclo-cross bikes. and snow and can absolutely burn up the cycling community. By now the hardcore mountain bikers are top of the levee, which typically is grass So now everything is in place. We have a getting bored and starting to thumb about eight inches tall. Drop down over great town for bike patrol. We have a through this article, looking for pictures. the levee and you are riding along the supervisor willing to push the envelope. There aren’t many, but maybe I can Ohio or Licking River – take your pick. We have dedicated officers willing to do answer the questions that are going The trails along the river are single-track what it takes to extend the bike time. through your mind right now. Can you dirt with lots of rocks and wash outs, as How do we become more useful? Or ride them up and down steps? well as the occasional downed tree. Do better yet, how do we become Absolutely! When we train, we do steps. we launch the bikes and jump over and off everything in our path? No, we are at indispensable? Enter the cyclo-cross bike. However, when we are working the of work and the goal is to answer the call or street , they are forbidden. Why? Think We were fortunate that as one chief left patrol the area. Do we push it and bunny about the times that you or someone you and another took over, we ended up with a hop over stuff to see if we can? Hell, yes! know got hurt or broke something while bike-friendly administration. We used We are still police cyclists. this and the fact that our citizens and riding steps. How bad are you going to Maybe you have looked up cyclo-cross businesses loved the bikes to pitch a plan feel when you are on your way to an bikes by now and discovered that there is to make our bike guys accountable for “officer needs assistance” call and pinch no suspension. Those who already knew assigned sectors. That’s correct; we made flat, blow a spoke, or just flat “yard sale this are dying to yell, “You can’t ride at them responsible for a beat. “Never gonna it” because you were distracted for one work for eight hours without a happen,” they said. “Can’t cover the split second? Now there are two of you suspension!” We work 10-hour days, and territory…you will be worn out running that need help. During the 2007 Instructor yes, you can. Our bikes are Surly Cross- call to call…you’re never going to be fast Course in Baton Rouge, I saw two frames Checks and they are full steel, including enough to cover another car on a hot get cracked, both from riding steps. At the 2008 IPMBA Conference in the fork. This helps dampen the vibration call!” Indianapolis, I saw several bikes get flats immensely, and the bikes are still while trying to climb steps, and these substantially lighter than mountain bikes. were ridden by accomplished riders. We also have three different handlebar Be honest with yourself and seriously positions from which to choose. answer the question, “is it worth the risk The very nature of the bike gives us an when its ‘go time’”? Go to YouTube and advantage in the nine-foot box and other type “cyclo-cross bikes climbing cone courses because there is no loss of stairs” (http://www.youtube.com/watch? power through the drive train, the center v=BoOhi05bm8Y). The pros dismount of gravity is lower, and we are not and run up the stairs faster than you can pushing around a front shock. Because climb them on your bike. That’s why we we are not fighting the flex in the shock, we are more responsive. We routinely What the naysayers didn’t know was that teach the dismount and the remount. The when they approved four new mountain answer to your question, however, is ride these bikes on one of our bikes, we built two cyclo-cross bikes “yes”; we can and do ride stairs professionally designed wilderness trails, and you do feel it in the shoulders during instead. (You don’t want to do this unless successfully. Just because we don’t have you have the support of your that protective high volume of air that the downhill, and you do have to administration and you are pretty sure mountain bike tires have doesn’t mean occasionally dismount to run over an obstacle. The pro downhillers do it also if you can sell it.) We went from pushing that we are fragile. Quite the contrary. 25 mph on the flats to 35 mph. We The wheels are very robust, yet typically they judge the risk to be too great. started pushing 47 to 50 mph on weigh in at less than 400 grams. This is a Does it require more skill to pass the downhills. We learned to climb like substantial weight savings that also gives IPMBA Police Cyclist practical tests? roadies and absolutely enjoyed crushing us one-third of the rolling resistance. Not really. You can’t wheelie loft as the leftover mountain bikes when we had Another reason we were told they would easily, but we routinely clear the same to climb up into the park or go over the never work is because they can’t handle obstacles. Is the lower bottom bracket a flood wall. Getting through traffic was mud or snow. This statement was made problem? No. It is typically only 1.75 easier and foot/vehicle pursuits were by people who have no idea why the ended in short order because of our speed cyclo-cross bike was invented – (Continued on page 8)

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 7

Traffic Stops: Lessons Learned From Milwaukee

by Sgt. Jeffrey Cook Milwaukee (WI) Police Department

n July 2010, we had an incident in which two grabbed. Standard traffic stop placement puts an officer

bicycle officers conducted a traffic stop of a slightly to the rear of the driver’s side window. This puts the vehicle containing an escapee from a juvenile driver at a tactical disadvantage because he has to swivel his lockup. He had stolen the car and was calling body in order to interact with you. It also provides a safer attention to himself by honking on the horn in front of a avenue of escape should the situation escalate and force you to residence. The two bicycle officers decided to investigate. withdraw to a better position of cover. The problems began as they approached the The second mistake is one that might be vehicle and asked for identification. The suspect controversial, but for us in Milwaukee, it is a rule. grabbed one of the officers, who was then dragged Do not fire into a moving vehicle! In this situation, approximately 30 feet, sustaining bumps, bruises the officer fired into the vehicle, causing injury to the and assorted scrapes. His partner, in an effort to driver. At that angle, the officer who was being stop the vehicle, fired into the vehicle. Fragments dragged was technically in the line of fire, and subject of either the bullet or assorted debris lodged in the to injury or death at the hands of his partner. In juvenile’s right knee. The juvenile escaped, only addition, if the driver had been incapacitated or killed, to be arrested when he went to a hospital for the result would have been a two-ton, uncontrolled treatment. missile making its way down the street with the The officers made a few mistakes that we all can learn from to potential of injuring or killing innocents. You do not want to make our traffic stops safer. First and foremost, NEVER put find yourself in either situation. yourself in a position where the occupants can easily grab you. So, use good tactics when approaching, don’t give the driver a If they get a good enough grip, they can drag you to death! Do chance to grab you, and do not fire into a moving vehicle! not place your arms or hands inside the vehicle in an attempt to turn it off, because you are now presenting your arms to be Jeffrey Cook can be reached at [email protected].

effort to climb big grades? You bet. off-duty. Are cross bikes big, burly, It is About the Bike Do you practice with your firearm? gnarly vehicles of mayhem? No, they are not. They are skinny, sleek, and inspire (Continued from page 7) Now you may be wondering about the durability of cross bikes. I can describe it an emotional response when you see them inches lower, but the stability you get with one word – phenomenal. The first moving, like cheetahs. Cheetahs, built for from lowering your center gravity even one we built six years ago is still in speed, efficiency and durability over the just that much is unbelievable. It actually service. It looks like somebody used it to long run. Are cross bikes the complete reduced the crash frequency. Ask build a house, but it is still on the road. package that have no equal and should be yourself, and answer honestly, how often We have re-cabled it four times, put four looked upon as the “be-all-end-all” of do you get a pedal strike because of your chains on it (that I know about), re-taped police cycling? Absolutely not. Several bottom bracket height? the handlebars a couple of times, and years ago, when patrol rifles came into When building our bikes, we selected a replaced the cassette and bottom bracket the law enforcement environment – which compact crank set up: two chain rings in once each. Since we have at least one many resisted – we did not get rid of the the front and ten in the back. The big ring festival per month in our city, we use shotgun. Both are now considered is huge and the front inner ring is bigger these bikes to fight with a lot. If indispensable. We now have options. than most mountain bike big rings. We something gets bent in the pile-up, we You can call me a heretic if you like, but ride a 50-34 in the front and a 12-27 in bend it back and get to it. If an officer look at our success and ask yourself, “is the rear. No granny gear. We didn’t use takes it to the races, we hose it off and go this a viable alternative?” Who knows, them anyway, and it cuts down on the to work, just like a mountain bike, the maybe we can save some money on weight. We also didn’t see a need for only difference being a catastrophic crash letterhead and drop the M…. them. If you need a high bottom bracket where the fork gets bent severely. When Want to see a cool video produced in support and a little bitty chain ring in the front that happens, we’re out $125. How much of this article? Contact Jim at then you are at Moab or the Shenandoah does your front shock cost? [email protected]. 100 and not at work….or a member of the I am certainly not going try to convince James is a 14-year veteran of the Covington Albuquerque, New Mexico, Open Spaces Police Dept. He has been on bike patrol for you that cross bikes are the panacea of Division. Does our gearing give us the seven years and was certified as an IPMBA law enforcement. I will tell you that once flexibility to start fast and climb? instructor in 2007. He is a graduate of the our officers ride cross bikes, you can’t get Absolutely. Does it require a little more Park Tools Mechanics Course and is a them on mountain bikes unless they are devotee of cyclo-cross bikes.

8 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010

Pedal Retention Primer

by Kirby Beck, PCI #002T/EMSCI #017T Pedal retention can be divided into four To be used correctly, a toe clip must retain Coon Rapids (MN) Police Department (retired) categories: toe clips with straps, (strapless) the strap, but the strap must be kept very edal retention is identified as one mini-clips, PowerGrips, and clipless systems loose. Having a loose strap allows the foot of four mandatory pieces of such as SPD and others. Each pedal system to enter and exit more safely. One problem safety equipment, and is required has pluses and minuses for public safety can occur when the foot is turned sideways, of all who participate in IPMBA cycling. as happens with a crossover dismount. Turning the foot sideways causes the strap training. IPMBA strongly Toe Clips recommends that operational guidelines to get tighter. That tightness may trap the Toe clips were originally designed to be likewise mandate pedal retention for any foot and hold it to the pedal. This is why used with cleats mounted on the bottom of public safety cyclists while operating in an IPMBA training stresses the importance of the shoe. The cleat gripped the back portion on-duty capacity. disengaging pedal retention prior to exiting of the pedal and the strap was used to hold the bike. Once the pedal is flipped upside The primary purpose of pedal retention is to the cleat tightly in down, another problem can occur. The pedal keep the cyclist’s feet on the pedals while place. The and strap often scrape the ground and make negotiating obstacles. Pedal retention plastic portion noise, or the strap may catch onto something keeps the feet engaged with the bicycle on (originally on the ground. steep descents and in crash situations. thin metal) was The proper use of pedal retention can merely a device The final problem – which may be the prevent or lessen the severity of injuries. to hold the strap biggest one – is the resistance to and fear open. The quick-release some riders have about using them. They As a secondary benefit, pedal retention buckle enabled the rider to quickly release fear not being able to remove their foot if improves pedaling efficiency as it enables the strap to remove their shoe when something happens. This is almost always the cyclist to engage both the quadriceps and necessary. The plastic portion that wraps overcome with practice and usage and time. the hamstrings in the pedaling action. around the toe and top of the foot was not Exerting equal force throughout the meant to be used without a strap, as it is too revolution helps reduce muscle fatigue and flimsy and can bend, snag the ground and imbalance and conserves energy. (Continued on page 10) otherwise not work well.

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 9

Pedal Retention Primer

(Continued from page 9) Aside from the amount of practice required Training and Practice Mini-Clips to master them, they have one other problem All of these systems require some degree of Mini-clips are designed to be used without for police riders. The recessed cleat in the training and practice to make using them straps. They use a stiffer plastic and are shoe eventually becomes exposed and the second nature. While they may seem shorter for ease of entry. They cannot trap cleat can be heard while walking, which impractical to inexperienced riders who do one’s foot. They makes walking silently on a building search not understand the reason for or the value of hold the foot in or any other sort of quiet approach on a hard pedal retention, they are very practical from the proper surface impossible. If the user has to run, a safety standpoint. position on the the cleat can be very slippery and Without pedal retention, public safety pedal and help dangerous. This limitation is easily cyclists find some essential techniques – keep it there overcome through monitoring of the such as the angled (or parallel) curb ascent – while negotiating condition of the shoes and replacing them as impractical. While riding parallel to the obstacles. They necessary, although this can be expensive. curb, the rider lifts the front tire up onto the actually come in TM PowerGrips curb. The street-side foot is then ratcheted sizes for best fit. In the opinion of this author, PowerGrips up into a power pedal position. That While they seem have proven to be the best of all worlds. ratcheting is near impossible, and very to be a perfect compromise, they do have They have a fairly short learning curve, can awkward, without some sort of pedal some drawbacks. Because they are stiffer, easily be retention. Without pedal retention, the rider they can snag things on the ground when adjusted as would literally need to remove their foot they are flipped and used upside down. footwear from the pedal, place the top of the foot They do not allow the rider the additional changes, are underneath the pedal and lift it up in order to power benefit of “pedaling circles.” quiet when used move it into position to power away. So flipped upside NOT having pedal retention restricts some There is very little required to feel down, and – as of the practical everyday techniques the comfortable using them. Learning to flip the name implies police cyclists need and use. the clip up and insert and remove the foot – they enable the without looking is the only training and Some police officers still resist wearing a rider to “power practice required. seatbelt because they feel it restricts their through” the freedom of movement in a crisis. I can also stroke and pedal Clipless Pedals introduce you to a police officer who was circles. Clipless pedals require special shoes with uncomfortable with his toe clips and recessed cleats. When properly adjusted, Placing the toe decided to descend a flight of stairs while they do a terrific job of holding the cyclist’s into the loop in a somewhat “pigeon-toed” standing on the bottom of the pedals. About feet on the pedals. They provide the most manner positions the strap at its halfway down, his foot slipped forward off effective pedal surface contact throughout loosest. That is also the natural position of of the pedal, sending his body forward. His the pedal stroke which the foot when doing a crossover “bottom” hit the nose of his saddle with affords the rider the dismount. Instead of tightening in that enough force to bend his seat post! I can ability to “power position, as does a strapped toe clip, still hear the sickening sound he made from through” and pedal the PowerGrips are actually at their loosest the pain. What is dangerous is not using circles. point, which makes them safer for pedal retention of any kind. dismounts. The PowerGrips can be set quite However, there is a Although pedal retention feels awkward loose for easy entry and exit, but when the major learning curve in initially, the toe clip drills used in the heel is rotated in towards the bike they learning to release one’s IPMBA courses are designed to help riders become much tighter, securing the foot to foot, and mishaps overcome their discomfort. After mastering the pedal and allowing power to be applied almost always happen the basics of clipping in and out of the throughout more of the pedal stroke. with them. Unless a selected retention devices, riders must student is very For ultimate safety, PowerGrips should still continue to practice disengaging during experienced, they be flipped over prior to dismounts, but when routine dismounts, under stress conditions, should never be allowed in a basic IPMBA they are, they are much quieter should they and during crash survival exercises in order class. Depending on the pedal system used, brush the ground. However, they could still to maximize their efficiency and minimize when a rider clips out to do a crossover snag something. risk. dismount, there may be very little actual pedal to stand on. That either necessitates If a rider needs to quickly mount and pursue Kirby is one of IPMBA’s founding members some modification in technique and someone, and does not wish to take the time and an author of both the Complete Guide to position, or makes them unstable. Public to “clip in”, the pedal can still be effectively Police Cycling and the Complete Guide to safety cyclists using clipless systems should used by standing on top of the Public Safety Cycling. Since his retirement use models which still have a pedal platform flexible PowerGrips loop. Unlike clipless from the police department, he has established a bike consulting/expert witness company and included. pedal systems, PowerGrips allow all types of shoes to be used, including waterproof is logging lots of miles. He can be reached at winter boots. [email protected].

10 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 11 industry Product Purchase Program

ull listings of the Product Purchase Program are maintained on the web at www.ipmba.org/ppp.htm. The number of participating companies has increased to over eighty, and the range of products is broad. Only new and updated listings will appear in IPMBA News.

The IPMBA Product Purchase Program can really save you money, and in this economy, every dollar counts! Many companies offer “Pro-Deals”, which represent savings of up to 40% off retail. You can save on bicycles, lights, sirens, eyewear, uniforms, footwear, gloves, panniers, maintenance supplies, tires, safety vests, and more. These companies want to help YOU, so get out your membership card, and shop the Product Purchase Program today! Welcome New PPP Participants!

ARMORPUR iFORCE BIKES ZEAL OPTICS UPDATED PPPPPP LLISTINGISTING: Product: Odor Neutralizing Products for Product: iFORCE Patrol Bicy- Product: Sport Eyewear and Goggles Body Armor cles Regular Cost: $100-$200 WTB Regular Cost: $14.85 (single); $24.85 Regular Cost: $1750 Cost to Members: 50% off retail. Product: Tires, Saddles, Headsets, Pedals, (double); $159.85 (case of 8) Cost to Members: Contact for Form of Payment: AX, MC, V Wheel Parts Cost to Members: 10% off Retail special pricing. Ordering Options: Promotive.com Regular Cost: Contact for Product List Form of Payment: D, MC, V Form of Payment: AX, C, CH, D, DC, MC, Cost to Members: 15% off Wholesale Prices Contact Name: Burke Form of Payment: COD, MC, V Ordering Options: Website PO, V Phone: 888-454-9325 Ordering Options: Phone, Fax, Email, Web- Ordering Options: Phone, Fax Contact Name: Lorenza Vidris Fax: 303-449-9328 site, Mail Contact Name: Mike Clifford Phone: 973-244-1862 Website: www.zealoptics.com Phone: 415-389-5040 Website: www.armorpur.com Contact Name: Christopher Andrews Email: [email protected] Fax: 415-389-5044 Email: [email protected] Phone: 724-524-4175 Zeal Optics Website: www.wtb.com Fax: 724-526-6010 ArmorPUR 4843 Pearl Street, 1A, Boulder, CO 80301 Email: [email protected] Website: www.iforcebikes.com Pine Brook, NJ Enroll at www.promotive.com/ext/law to WTB Email: [email protected] 475 Miller Ave., Mill Valley, CA 94941 Enter coupon code “IPMBA”on check out place discounted orders. iFORCE Bikes page; 10% will be automatically deducted. 912 Pittsburgh Road, Butler PA 16002 IPMBA’s Corporate Members IPMBA proudly recognizes the following organizations for their continued support and assistance to IPMBA and the profession of public safety cycling. They have helped to ensure that we can continue our mission of providing education, training, and resources for public safety cyclists worldwide. To become a corporate member, contact Maureen at [email protected] or 410-744-2400.

BRATWEAR Louis Garneau USA Sally Swanson Suzi Dix 253-517-4000 x 16 800-448-1984 [email protected] [email protected] www.bratwear.com www.louisgarneau.us

Cycle Force Group Mocean Bill Levitt Graham Watkins 949-646-1701 515-232-0277 [email protected] [email protected] www.mocean.net www.cyclefg.com

Cygnus Law Enforcement Group Police Bike Store Michael Espejo Michael George 309-797-9028 800-547-7377 Ext .1143 [email protected] [email protected] www.policebikestore.com www.officer.com

EMS Magazine/EMSResponder.com R & B Fabrications Russell Lester Scott Cravens 920-563-6388 800-553-1911 [email protected] [email protected] www.emsresponder.com www.rbfab.com

iForce Bikes Trek Bicycle Corporation Christopher Andrews Scott Vandeberg 724-524-4125 800-313-8735 x 4911 [email protected] [email protected] www.iforcebikes.com www.trekbikes.com

Jones & Bartlett Learning Volcanic Bicycles 800-832-0034 Eric Kackley [email protected] 360-943-8613 www.jblearning.com [email protected] 12 INTERNATIONALwww.volcanicbikes.com POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010

ArmorPUR Tackles Body Armor Odor industry

by Bob Hatcher, PCI #629/EMSCI #103 One day while having dinner with a friend also said to work well on workout gear, Delaware (OH) Police Department who happened to be a chemist in the shoes, and other articles of clothing that Secretary, IPMBA Board of Directors manufacturing industry, Lorenza joked harbor odors. hile manning the IPMBA booth at that all police officers have something in ArmorPUR can be bought online at the 2009 Great Lakes Enforcement common – their body armor stinks. This www.armorpur.com or over the phone by Expo in Columbus, Ohio, I spotted sparked the chemist’s interest, and after calling Lorenza at 973-244-1862. The an eye-catching booth. It had dozens of discussing possible formulas, creating website offers the ArmorPUR bottles stacked up and a large sign that prototypes, and testing products, Maintenance Guide, and the MSDS sheets read “Does your body armor stink?” I ArmorPUR was born. are available upon request. You can buy thought, “Of course my body armor I seized the opportunity to try something the ArmorPUR kit (one 16-oz bottle each stinks. I’m a bike cop.” So I stopped and new on my pungent vest and purchased of the wash and spray) for $25.85 or spoke with the husband and wife team and the ArmorPUR kit, consisting of a bottle separately for $15.85. ArmorPUR has owners, Tom Norton and Lorenza Vidris. of wash and a bottle of spray. It was joined the IPMBA They were selling a vest cover wash and nearing the end of the summer, so after a Product Purchase deodorizing spray formulated to neutralize long, sweaty day on the bike, I used the Program, offering a 10% odors. spray on my vest cover. The following discount. They are They told me the story of how the day, there was no stinky odor. As excited to be a part of company was founded. It turns out that recommended, I continued to use these IPMBA and help Tom, a police officer for the New Jersey products over the winter months to keep bike cops from State Police, is assigned to Liberty State maintain an odor-free vest. Once summer stinking, so please Park, NJ (the Statue of Liberty). Tom’s arrived, I used it religiously; every day give them a try. vest stunk so badly that it was banished after use, the cover received a shot of the Robert is a police from the house. He was required to leave spray. When it was time for a load of officer with the city of Delaware Police Dept. it in the garage to air out. They had laundry, I used the wash to remove odors in Ohio. He currently serves as the from my vest cover, t-shirts, and any other department’s bike patrol coordinator and explored various ways to deodorize instructor. He also serves as secretary on the clothing; however, they had a hard time clothing that may have gotten a little rank. This regular use of both products virtually IPMBA Board. He can be reached at finding anything specific to body armor. [email protected]. eliminated all the odors. ArmorPUR is Strut your IPMBA Stuff

Visit www.ipmba.org/merchandise.htm for your IPMBA stuff today!

High Quality Terrific Variety Custom Logos IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO.IPMBA 4 Instructor Owned and Operated 13

14 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 15 News from the UK Weathering Storms on Many Fronts

Matt Langridge, PCI # 869 resources – staff and finances – on team, said: “This is another example of Thames Valley Police (UK) traditional tactics, feeling they cannot how being on bike patrol makes a real afford the “luxury” of putting their difference. We were able to catch the Here we go again, folks! troops out on bikes. We all know this is suspect quickly, beating traffic and The next round of news a false economy in most cases, so I just getting through places cars can’t.” and views from this side pray that there are enough of us out of the Atlantic. A note of there to fight the cycle patrol corner and A few days later, the team were at it encouragement for some – make the decision-makers see the sense again: this is the last time you of using bikes where they are suitable. A teenager suspected of a string of will have to suffer my “Enough with the doom, gloom and burglaries was caught by Essex Police's ramblings and wittering. I have been despondency,” I hear you cry. “We new cycle team. The team was successful in my attempts to get a new demand GOOD news!” deployed to Shoeburyness to search for role within my force. The down side is the suspect. Within two hours they this role will take me further out of the In Leicester, a bike patrol officer was managed to find and arrest a 16-year- cycle patrol loop, so I have decided the feeling quite down because some light- time has come to step down as your fingered oik had stolen his bike a few old boy from Southend who has now trusty newshound. Fear not though, days earlier. He was patrolling his area been released on bail whilst enquiries intrepid readers. Maid Maureen will not on foot when a very recent house continue. The advanced cycle team in be left as a damsel in distress, seeking a burglary was brought to his attention. their first two months made 24 arrests new newshound. Trusted sources inform The offender was making off, so the cop and collectively cycled over 2091 miles. me that someone has stepped into the used his powers of persuasion to The team is a first for Essex Police and breach. More on that later. commandeer a bike from a nearby the hand-picked team of five are a youth, gave chase and caught the Enough of that, though. What has been dedicated cycle patrol team covering burglar! Well done that man. the whole southeastern division. The happening over here since we last got Unfortunately, I can’t trace the identity together? team was set up as part of Operation of the officer involved as the internet Velo, a special operation designed to Well, the fallout from the financial article I found this story on has expired. increase police visibility through crisis is still landing on us. The powers He knows who he is, though. increased cycle patrols. that be in the government – the “good A journalist from the London Evening On the EMS front, the Guardian people” that stump up a major Standard spent some time with PC published an article early in July proportion of the funding for the police, Stuart Ford of the City of London Police praising the work of two St John ambulance and fire services in the UK – cycle patrol team. The write up of this Ambulance bike paramedics who are undergoing what they have called attachment is a very good read. It can arrived at the scene of a house fire. “a comprehensive spending review” in be found at the following search string: order to reduce government spending http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/lifestyle/ Two mountain-biking medics from St and reduce the massive debt we are article-23850091-beware-the-two- John Ambulance have been hailed as apparently in. The upshot of this is that wheeled-warrior-police-on-new- heroes after helping to save two each government department and in mission-to-curb-crime.do. women from a raging inferno in turn, each service for which those departments are responsible, have been The Southend Echo wrote in June about Clapham on Sunday. instructed to formulate plans to reduce how bike patrol teamed up with Andre Dubois, a medical student, and spending within a range of limits. The technology and captured a suspected Natalie Perez, a legal secretary, were savings projections they have been burglar. on their way to a community festival instructed to produce range from around A new police cycle team caught a when they spotted smoke billowing out 25% to as much as 40%. My Chief suspected burglar on the seafront. of Common Sense beauty salon in Constable has stated that, as far as she is The officers pedalled down to Western Clapham Common South Side. Two concerned, front line and Esplanade after a hit came up on the women had clambered out onto the neighbourhood policing will not be ANPR (Automatic Numberplate ledge of a first-floor window, while affected by any spending cuts. A another two were on the roof at number of civilian posts have been lost Recognition) cameras of a vehicle already and I imagine the case is similar possibly being driven by a man wanted around 12.50pm. across the country and across the by Herfortdshire Police. It took just 14 The medics, who are part of the Cycle different emergency services. My fear minutes for them to get from Shoebury Response Unit, treated victims for is that the cuts will have a negative police station to Western Esplanade smoke inhalation after firefighters impact on cycle patrol. It is likely that and carry out an arrest on Friday, June rescued them with a turn-table ladder. area commanders will concentrate their 25. Sgt Paul Bird, who heads up the (Continued on page 17)

16 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010 Weathering, Cont. News from the UK

(Continued from page 16) Not before time, I might add. president Dave Hildebrand; to the Six people were rescued in the blaze, Before I sign off I want to take tremendous experience that was the while a further eight left before fire opportunity to say a 2007 Annual fighters arrived. few things. Conference at Baton Rouge, where I met The full article, with images, can be First, I want to so many people who found at the following link: thank you, the made me feel http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/ reader, for a) Hamelink Tommy courtesy Photo welcome and wanted news/8262014.Medics_on_bikes_hailed putting up with me and showed me _heroes_after_Clapham_blaze_rescue/. and b) doing what exactly what it meant you do and giving to have a good time, So folks, as you can see, despite what me something to American-style. some might consider as the End Of The write about. World being nigh, bike patrol staff up I have made some

and down the country are still doing I then want to Matt enjoying the 2009 Netherlands Bike Patrol tremendous, their damndest to fight crime and save thank Maureen for Study Day hopefully lifelong lives. I can’t say it often enough – well having the patience friends during my time. done to one and all. of a saint. I haven’t been exactly For that, I want to say “thanks”. punctual with my copy, but she never As I mentioned earlier, Maureen has got cross with me. Though this is the end of my found another willing victim to take Newshound career, I have a distinct over the reins of News from the UK. My association with IPMBA has been a feeling that part of my DNA profile will very enjoyable experience, from my always read “IPMBA.” I won’t reveal their identity, but I will initial course under the tutelage of let slip a little clue. The new Charlie Irvine; to my Instructor Course Ride safe folks, Newshound has an EMS background, so where I was educated in the ways by the Matt Langridge the upcoming articles will have a more greats that are Al Simpson and our medical slant to them, I would guess.

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 17

Member News ~ IPMBA Remembers ~ Officer William Phillips fficer William Phillips was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while on bike patrol training at approximately 12:45 am in Henry County. Officer Phillips and two other members of the bike patrol team had just finished their shift and were conducting a training ride on department-issued bicycles. While they were riding westbound on U.S. 40 near the Knightstown High School, he was struck from behind by a vehicle which then fled the scene. All of the officers were wearing helmets and had lights on their bicycles. The 59-year-old female driver of the vehicle that struck Officer Phillips later surrendered and was charged with failure to stop after a fatal accident. Officer Phillips had served with the Greenfield Police Department for nearly 4½ years and had Police Officer William Edward (Will) Phillips III previously served with the McCordsville Police Department. He was a US Marine Corps veteran. Greenfield PD, Greenfield, IN Officer Phillips is survived by his wife, 2- and 5- End of Watch year-old sons, two sisters and parents. Thursday, September 30, 2010 Officer Phillips was laid to rest on October 5, Biographical Info 2010. He was escorted to his final resting place Age: 32 Tour of Duty: 4 years, 5 months by approximately 40 bike officers from area Badge Number: 251 agencies, a tribute coordinated by Officer Mike Incident Details McKenna of the Lawrence Police Department. Cause of Death: Vehicular assault Memorial contributions may be sent to the Gavin Date of Incident: Thursday, and Bryson Phillips Scholarship Fund, c/o September 30, 2010 Weapon Used: Automobile Greenfield Banking Company, 1920 North State Suspect Info: Charged St., Greenfield, Indiana, 46140.

Sergeant Ted Wilson, Retired ed Wilson was a retired police sergeant from Victoria, Australia. He served as the state Bicycle Coordinator and led bicycle education efforts both during and after his retirement. He was so well known and respected that the state named a bike trail after him. Ted was involved early in the police on bikes movement in Australia. He attended the 1996 IPMBA Conference in Rochester, NY, and was a frequent presenter at the ProBike Conferences. He developed liver cancer in 2007, and finally succumbed to it on July 1, 2010. According to his companion, Maree, it was only in the last two weeks of his life that his condition significantly deteriorated. He died peacefully at home surrounded by family and a lot of love. The cycling community has truly lost a legend. Andy Paradowski n Friday, October 8, Andrew Paradowski, Hayes Bicycle Group He never missed a good card game and could make a White Russian technical service and warranty manager, passed away that kept you warm on a cold Milwaukee day. He will forever be unexpectedly. He was 41 and had been with Hayes since 2002. remembered as “The Voice of Hayes.” Paradowski was an incredible person who left a smile on anyone’s face Paradowski conducted the popular Hayes Disc Brake and Manitou who was lucky enough to engage him in conversation. He had friends Suspension Tech Clinics at the IPMBA Conference for the past several in the bicycle industry throughout the world. A lot years. Participants appreciated his good humor and of people might have thought he had the worst job the hands-on approach to the sessions. He will be at Hayes because if his phone rang, it was most remembered and deeply missed by everyone who had likely someone with a problem. Paradowski, the pleasure and honor of knowing him. however, didn’t see it that way. He loved to solve He is survived and sadly missed by his parents, Dick problems, large and small, and was always able to and Judy Paradowski, his sister Ronna Paradowski, his provide well thought out, intelligent solutions to nephew and godson Ian Hinton, and his aunt Linda issues in business and in life. Paradowski was (Otto) Pischke. happy to offer his unbiased and unwavering support to anyone in need. It was impossible for In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated to the him to say “no.” Shriners Hospital, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60707; The American Red Cross in Southeastern Paradowski loved bicycles and enjoyed the Wisconsin, 2600 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI business of servicing them, according to a press 53233; and the Boy Scouts of America, Potawatomi Area Council, 804 release. He amassed a great private collection of not only fine bikes Bluemound Rd., Waukesha, WI 53188. Cards for the family may be but also a master’s tool collection. Outside of bikes Paradowski was sent to Andy Paradowski Memorial, c/o Hayes Bicycle Group, 5800 an Eagle Scout, enjoyed spending time with his nephew and was W. Donges Bay Rd., Mequon WI 53092. actively involved in his local Masonic lodge as a Shrine Mason.

18 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010 National Police Bikersday 2010: Netherlands Member News

he 2010 National Police Bike Study Day was held on Thursday the 16th of September in Oosterhout, in the south part of the Netherlands. About 300 police bikers came to Oosterhout for the 8th Annual Bikers Day. Participants were able to see, taste, hear and experience new things. Training in groups of about 25 riders, they participated in eight workshops as well as informal learning experiences. Sessions included working together with police dogs, arresting teams, slow speed riding, and a superfast race through the woods. A former professional female road race cyclist conducted a special workshop for women cyclists. The keynote speaker was Jean-Marie Pfaff, a former member of the Belgian national football team, named the world’s best goalkeeper in 1987. Pfaff is also a cycle addict. Checking out the “fun bikes”. Photo Courtesy Sjef Brouwers. For more information and a photo gallery, visit www.politiebikedag2010.nl and click on “Bekijk nu de fotos van de bikedag 2010 op het politienetwerk.”

IPMBA Instructors Jason Bain and Tony Holte take BRT training to Milwaukee

n mid-October 2010, IPMBA Instructors Jason Bain and Tony Holte of the St. Paul Police Department travelled to Milwaukee to introduce Bicycle Response Team concepts to members of the Milwaukee Police Department bike squad. The St. Paul Police Department employed Bicycle Response Teams

Photo Courtesy Tony Holte with great success during the 2008 Republican National Convention. The training involved slow speed drills, mounts and dismounts, formations and deployment, pair riding, single- and double-column riding, arrest techniques, squad withdrawal, and gas mask drills. Jason and Tony will be conducting the Bicycle Response Team training course at the 21st Annual IPMBA Conference in Richmond, Virginia. The course will be held April 11-13, 2011. For more information and to register, visit www.ipmba.org/conferences.htm.

Ride alongside history. The 21st Annual IPMBA Conference & Expo April 2011 ~ Richmond, Virginia

www.ipmba.org/conferences.htm

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 19 Do you NewsNewshave YOUR from from the the UK UK UK Smarter Travel Awards 2010 copy? Member News he winners of the 2010 Smarter Travel team colleagues as well the City of London Police Awards were announced on Thursday 24 CRU; completing a recruitment programme and June at an exciting awards ceremony at the training 12 new members (total strength of 30); London Transport Museum. supporting 30 events from January to May; and expanding the fleet to 15 bicycles. For the first time, the awards incorporated the 999/ Cycling Communities Awards to make for a single Nominee: Metropolitan Police focused programme. Co-hosted by Transport for The London Cycle Hire Scheme was launched in London’s David Brown (Managing Director, July 2010. The Operational Delivery Support Unit, Surface Transport) and Ben Plowden (Director, (ODSU), from the Safer Transport Command (STC) Better Routes and Places), the awards recognised has worked closely with Transport for London and outstanding individuals, projects and campaigns in the Metropolitan Police Service Traffic OCU to 12 categories that have positively changed the way minimise the impact of cycle theft and collisions people travel. involving cyclists. The STC ODSU have identified The event was attended by over 250 people, all operational gaps and have supported the cycling associated with one or more of the shortlisted revolution by providing dedicated cycle teams, entries. It was a great opportunity to reward smaller jointly working with British Transport Police scale initiatives that have stood out because of their (BTP), all policing an intelligence led operation — originality and effectiveness, and have made a real Operation Bike. Operation Bike has three difference to the community. Everyone in the room, objectives: reduction of criminal activity $31.95* including children from school categories, shared a throughout the transport nodes and associated Paperback • 264 Pages • © 2008 commitment to promoting sustainable choices as means of travel; reassurance and engagement with part of making London a better place to live, work cyclists; and gathering of soft intelligence. From the International Police and visit. Congratulations to all the nominees and Tactics included Reassurance and Enforcement Mountain Bike Association in winners for their hard work, dedication deployments including the use of decoy/tracker conjunction with Jones & and enthusiasm! bikes. Operational delivery was centered on 32 Bartlett Publishers comes The Most Strategic Use of Cycling in the 999 pan-London transport interchanges. Enforcement Complete Guide to Public Workplace tactics included: HVP at cycle parking facilities Safety Cycling. outside transport hubs; fixed penalty notices issued Winner: St John Ambulance (award accepted by for cycling on the pavement; co-coordinated action IPMBA member Ashley Sweetland) The Complete Guide is the on the ground with BTP, local authority wardens; single most comprehensive Through highly trained volunteers and leading edge co-coordinated local press/media strategy; plain cycling technology, the St John Ambulance London clothes operations using decoy bikes; use of source of in-depth information Cycle Response Unit (CRU) provides emergency intelligence to identify and arrest suspects involved on starting a bike unit or first aid that complements the operational role of St in the theft and handling of bicycles; surveillance; enhancing an established bike John Ambulance in the communities that we serve fast time Intel-led operations. across London. unit with tactical and technical The ODSU planned and coordinated activity. They tips on everything from basic CRU current operational cycling capability is made have provided training, briefings and leadership equipment needs to detailed up with 15 specially equipped mountain bicycles raising the profile of cycling, supporting those who insights on policy, that can carry advanced first aid equipment use bicycles responsibly and targeting those who maintenance, training, legal including an AED and medical gases, along with 30 use bikes for criminal profit or for the issues, and much more. This highly trained volunteer operational cyclists. This commissioning of offences. Operation Bike has represents over 12% of the national St John provided visible and accessible patrols to engage essential resource will guide Ambulance fleet of bicycles, with London having with cyclists, providing security advice and public safety personnel and the largest operational capability, and an estimated increasing confidence of cyclists in London. agencies seeking to put the one 15% of appropriately trained personnel. Nominee: Public Safety Cycling wheels of a public safety bike The team of CRU volunteers represents a Public Safety Cycling (PSC) is the only network unit in motion! significantly diverse group in terms of age, race, that supports those who use bicycles in the line of religion, background and volunteer experience. duty by providing: networking, education, advice, They are all fully trained to the National Cycling Jones & Bartlett guidelines/policy, workshops, specialised training, Standard Level 3 and all undertake the Public Safety instructor training and seminars. Learning Cycling Advanced Training Course within six months of joining in order to reach the advanced PSC developed and has delivered “emergency Toll free: levels of cycling skills required for their role. services instructor cycle training” from July 2008. There are now over 50 instructors trained in this (800) 832-0034 The unit has operated at a wide range of events field in all emergency services and other Switchboard: across London, from the London Marathon and undisclosed disciplines. Their specific field of Tour de France to the Notting Hill Carnival, (978) 443-5000 interest in policing and ambulance work has grown Freewheel and Sky Ride, Pride London and marches Customer service: to over six thousand “public service cyclists” in the including G20 and Climate Change rallies. ext. 8197 UK and is still growing. Key achievements in 2010 so far include: Fax: PSC’s mission is to promote the use of the bicycle, relocating to a new base with the City of London provide the appropriate cycle training and (978) 443-8000 Police in Barbican, and being co-located with Online: London Ambulance Service CRU City of London (Continued on page 21) www.jblearning.com 20 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010 The 2010 Voluntary Ambulance Service Award Member News St John Ambulance Cycle Response Team Receives Team of the Year

n 27 October 2010, the St John the communities that it serves across the “All the team have other roles in life as Ambulance Cycle Response Unit Capital. Throughout this year, it has made parents or caregivers, in business or the (CRU) accepted the award for the difference to countless lives and been public sector, as well as some healthcare Voluntary Ambulance Service Team of the first-on-scene at incidents such as a professionals, just to name but a few! Year 2010 in a ceremony at the House of dramatic fire, a cardiac arrest and a serious Their dedication to the Cycle Response Lords. stabbing. It is in recognition of that work Unit is unreserved and, and I am really St John Ambulance London Cycle that the team earned this prestigious proud of them all.” Response Unit (CRU) has been awarded honour. Ann Cable, Commissioner the prestigious accolade as part of the Team manager Ashley … it has made for St John Ambulance 2010 Ambulance Service Institute Awards. Sweetland, who leads the difference to London (Prince of Wales) Sponsored by Baroness Browning of operational cycling for St countless lives ... District, added: “I am Whimple, the Awards reflect and John Ambulance, said: “We tremendously proud of the acknowledge the excellent work carried are absolutely delighted to team and all their out by representatives of the Ambulance be receiving the award for the Voluntary achievements – they are highly deserving Service for their hard work and dedication Ambulance Service Team of the Year of this fantastic accolade. The Cycle 2010. It is hugely satisfying to see our Response Unit is a key element of the in saving lives. volunteers recognised in this way and is excellent service St John Ambulance The Cycle Response Unit provides particularly special given that it comes provides to the capital city and all its emergency first aid that complements the after recognition by the Mayor of London communities.” operational role of St John Ambulance in earlier this year.

UK Smarter Travel Awards 2010 (Continued from page 20) cardiac arrest means faster recovery to lead a the informant to circulate a description of the education, raise the standard of cycling for the full life. There have been many moving suspect. He remained calm and crucially benefit of all road users and by doing this, reunions, especially at the airport. Literally decided to remain with the informants. humanize the streets for everyone. The thousands of people have benefited from the A/PS Clarke spoke with each of his PSCO network’s objectives are to assist the specific medical care provided by cycle responders. colleagues and ensured that the main routes measure of more journeys made by bicycle by The CRU has saved ten of thousands of pounds away from the area of the theft were covered the emergency services. Finally, their on fuel, vehicles, and double-crewed by patrolling officers. By using the bikes, the philosophy is to provide the best and most ambulance hours; hundreds of tonnes of carbon officers were able to put an effective cordon in enjoyable cycle training and education emissions have not been produced. place very quickly. packages available to the emergency services. After about a minute, A/PS Clarke observed a male who Best Use of Cycling in an matched the description of the Emergency Response – 999 circulated suspect ride past him Winner: London Ambulance on a mountain bike. The bike Service Cycle Response Unit (award looked brand new. A/PS Clarke accepted by IPMBA Instructor Tom detained the man and requested Lynch MBE) support. Using his excellent

Photo courtesy Ashley Sweetland Sweetland Ashley courtesy Photo community relations, A/PS The main use of cycling in the LAS Clarke contacted the believed is to respond to 999 emergency calls retailer of the bike and was able every day. From delivering babies to establish that the bike was to cardiac arrests, the dedicated purchased only weeks earlier for teams respond only on bicycles. a substantial amount of money. The LAS has several reasons for The male who was stopped was their use, such as cost effectiveness, not able to account for the fact mobility, rapid response, special Tom Lynch MBE and Ashley Sweetland display their respective awards. that he was not the owner. He event cover, promotion of physical was arrested and taken to Kingston Police fitness, reducing emissions and being an Nominee: Kingston Safer Transport Team Station. environmentally friendly mode of transport. On 05/03/2010, a Safer Transport Police Expansions in 2008 rolled out to provide It was clearly the quick thinking officers of the Community Support Officer (PCSO) was operational cover at Heathrow Airport transport team who formed a cordon, using informed of a crime taking place at that time. Terminal 5, Shepard’s Bush, Hammersmith, their bikes to navigate the complex road system He was informed that an unknown suspect was Isle of Dogs, City & West End. of Kingston quicker than a car ever could. The in the process of stealing pedal cycles from the use of excellent community ties then assisted The LAS CRU has an unquantifiable impact on town centre in Kingston on Thames. The the investigation and resulted in a of victim the health of Londoners and visitors. Many PCSO immediately informed his whole team, crime being reunited with their property. people are alive today that would have had and his team sergeant, via the PR radio, and limited chance of survival; i.e., fast response to was able to extract enough information from IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 21 Member News Cycle Team in High Profile Company at Leading Show

een cyclists from across the on-scene at incidents such as serious “It is an opportunity for us to share UK had a chance to learn more about stabbings and other life threatening information on the life-saving work of St London District’s award-winning situations. John Ambulance, along with Cycle Response Unit (CRU) at the demonstrating our commitment to cycling One of the unit’s specially equipped 2010 Cycle Show in Earl’s Court. to the huge number of mountain bicycles – used visitors. We plan to use the The enormously popular event, which to carry advanced first opportunity to show the public opened its doors to the public on Friday aid equipment such as an how first aid training can 8th October to Sunday 10 October, saw the Automated External make the difference between a Cycle Response Unit in the company of Defibrillator and medical life lost and a life saved.” countless world cycling brands, cycling gases – was on display celebrities like Rebecca Romero and Lord throughout the weekend, All CRU volunteers are highly Sugar – star of The Apprentice and keen along with a range trained and meet the National cyclist – who opened the show. of training aids and Cycling Standards and The CRU provides emergency first aid that equipment used by the undertake the Public Safety complements the operational role of St unit. Cycling Advanced Training Course. John Ambulance in the communities that it Ashley Sweetland, who leads operational The unit has operated at over 150 events in serves across the Capital. cycling for St John Ambulance, said: “We 2010 across London, from the Virgin London Marathon and Tour de France to Throughout 2010 it has made the are really pleased to be present at the the Hyde Park Concerts, Pride London and difference to countless lives and been first Cycle Show this year. Climate Change rallies as well as many

local events in boroughs across London. Instructor Corner

Congratulations to IPMBA’s Newest Instructors Tacoma, Washington. August 23-27, 2010. Scott Andresen, King County Sheriffs Office, Seattle WA; Michael Barr, Tacoma Fire Department, Tacoma WA; William Bergin, University of Washington Police Dept., Seattle WA; Jeff Britton, Central Point Police Department, Central Point OR; Steven Chamberlain, Sandpoint Police Dept., Sandpoint ID; Charles Jakubiak, Wayne County Airport Police, Romulus MI; Eugene Johnson, Atlanta Police Department, Atlanta GA; Bill Mack, Pierce

Transit Department of Public Safety, Lakewood WA; Steven Negron, Scottsdale Photo Courtesy Beck Kirby Police Department, Scottsdale AZ; Michael S. Pedee, University of Washington Tacoma, Tacoma WA; Christopher Pelczar, King County Sheriffs Office, Seattle WA; Raul Vaca, Seattle Police Department, Seattle WA; and Jared Williams, Tacoma Police Dept., Tacoma WA.

22 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010 Spotting Drills for Safety Instructor Corner

by Kirby Beck, PCI #002T/EMSCI #017T student should be spotted until the IPMBA Not all of the skills stations in IPMBA Coon Rapids (MN) Police Department (retired) instructor believes he/she has the skill and training can be effectively spotted; for confidence to no longer require a spotter. by Mitch Trujillo, PCI #244T/EMSCI #248T instance, Maximum Braking, Quick Turns Boulder (CO) Police Department This is usually a gradual process. Spotters and the Decision Maker drill. In these IPMBA Education Director should always be used if the student cases, spotters would have to be far enough requests them. away from the drill so as not to interfere The authors gratefully acknowledge with the rider. When and if something goes Dominic Angiolillo, PCI #103T/EMSCI When spotting stair and curb ascents and wrong, it usually happens so quickly that #079T and Al Simpson, PCI #165T/EMSCI stair descents, it is important to ensure the spotters are unable to react and move in #005T for their valuable contributions to student has adequate space and width and quickly enough to catch the rider or break this article. does not feel crowded. If the stairs are too his/her fall. narrow to comfortably accommodate the s is the case with most physical rider and the spotters, find another location. Because spotting is ineffective on these activities, there are some risks Feeling crowded can contribute to anxiety drills, instructors are encouraged to conduct associated with bicycle training. It is, and result in a fall. Skill Station 5, Falling Techniques, prior to therefore, essential that IPMBA teaching these skills. Instructors must also Instructors take measures to ensure their An effective method for spotting these skill effectively explain and demonstrate these students’ safety during stations is as follows. skills, and ensure that students build up training, from the Spotters should be their skills slowly before allowing them to introduction of the positioned to the attempt them at full speed. simplest skills through left and right of Here are a few rules for spotting: mastery of the most the rider, where complex. One of the they will be of Never assume a rider won’t fall. Even most effective ways to most assistance. an experienced rider can crash. reduce risk is the use of When spotting Review the ITK procedures for safety spotters. While it stairs, they should implementing the drill and be prepared is not possible to “spot” be spaced at to prevent a rider from executing the all on-bike activities, regular intervals. skill if rider and bike are not set up for spotters can and should Spotters should be the skill (e.g., helmet secured, gear be used when ready before each selection, skill level, etc.). practicable. student begins the maneuver; they should be Although it may not seem glamorous, mentally alert, with hands in front facing Pay attention to the rider’s body spotters play one of the most important out while maintaining a firm footing with position and movement and be roles in bike training. Spotting effectively feet shoulder width apart. prepared to take action. Watch for signs of fear, anxiety, incorrect is a skill unto itself; therefore, spotters must The spotters should anticipate having to technique, and other indications that receive guidance as to how to reduce the move in, thrust their whole arm into the the rider may crash. risk of injury. They space between the must learn to recognize rider’s arm and Focus on speed. Is there a sufficient signs that a rider is about upper torso and manageable amount of momentum to fall and know how to created by the for the rider to get safely negotiate the properly and safely catch riding position – obstacle? Does the front wheel appear the rider. Prior to basically hooking stable and under control? assigning students, aides, the student under or other individuals to If a rider falls, catch the body, not the their armpit – and limbs. spot, the instructor must secure them from demonstrate the correct that position. If Ultimately, student safety is the technique for spotting the student responsibility of the instructor. Protect your the skill being practiced. encounters trouble students and yourself; provide Instructors should be and a fall is knowledgeable, responsible spotters confident that each spotter has adequate imminent, the spotter essentially locks the whenever practicable during on-bike strength to “catch” a falling rider. It is “crook” of the elbow into the rider’s armpit. exercises to help reduce the likelihood of essential for the spotter to pay attention and While a large rider may still fall over, their injuries. remain focused on the rider’s technique. speed and momentum will be sufficiently Rider encouragement is also helpful. Kirby is one of IPMBA’s founding members reduced to prevent most injuries. and an author of both the Complete Guide to As students begin to learn the various on- Use of this technique will prevent spotters Police Cycling and the Complete Guide to bike skills, spotters should be employed from attempting to reach for or grab various Public Safety Cycling. He can be reached at when it is practicable to do so. Skills that body or bike parts with their hands. [email protected]. can and should be spotted include curb and Catching the limbs is often not enough to Mitch is an IPMBA Instructor Trainer, serves stair ascents and descents, falling stop the rider’s fall and may result in injury as Education Director on your IPMBA Board, techniques, and technical sections of off- to the rider or the spotter, or an ineffective and has a penchant for singlespeeds. He can road riding. During these drills, every intervention of the fall. be reached at [email protected].

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 23 2011 Conference Excellent Cycling in IPMBA Conference City by Phil Riggan The goal of the trail-building efforts was to make them more Richmond.com Published: May 19, 2010 sustainable and make them easier to maintain. One of the best examples of that work is in Buttermilk Heights where the group installed “The Patio” – a granite, 180-degree turn ho’s up for a run through the wilderness in downtown embedded in the hillside that converted a series of eroded Richmond? switchbacks into an attractive, permanent feature. Lucky for you, Richmond has some of the best trails The loop has several places to stop and see the James, that deliver the feeling of biking along an isolated people-watch or maybe even some wildlife. The views from mountain trail right in the heart of the city. the Boulevard Bridge and the pedestrian bridge to Belle Isle The James River trail loop is one of the most popular are excellent. outdoor fitness areas in Richmond. The Belle Isle, If you’re into extra exercise, add length to the loop by Buttermilk, and North trails combine for a circuit course climbing into the hills in the wooded center of Belle Isle or that runs along the hillsides above both banks of the river tack on another three miles with the newly renovated trails between the Boulevard Bridge and the Robert E. Lee Bridge through Forest Hill Park on the Southside. downtown. But if you’re riding too hard, you may miss the best tourist For years, it has been known as a destination for the attractions on the North Trail. As you head west from the mountain biking community, but now just as many hikers Boulevard Bridge, the trail passes between the historic and runners are taking the challenge as well. Lower Canal and Maymont – so close you can see the bears “Weekends at 7 a.m., the trails are packed with runners,” said and what is blooming in the Japanese Garden as you ride Bill Wright, a board member of by. It also passes below Mount the Richmond Mid-Atlantic Off Calvary, Riverview and Road Enthusiasts, a mountain bike Hollywood cemeteries before group. “Later in the day, the reaching Tredegar Iron Works. bikers all come out and the trails On the Southside, you might have stay busy all day.” to look a little harder for history, The single-track loop covers about but it’s still there. The trail follows nine miles and there are plenty of the hillside below Riverside Drive sections on both physical and and the section is known as the technical levels for mountain Buttermilk Trail. The name bikers. Expert riders can complete comes from Buttermilk Spring, the loop in 30-40 minutes; which used to be the place for intermediate riders could take an farmers to cool their milk before hour or more. Novices should taking them for sale in downtown stick to Belle Isle or the gravel trails around Reedy Creek. Richmond. Much of those hillsides were also fishing grounds for the Powhatan tribes before Richmond was settled There are multiple tight switchbacks, fast descents, and steep by the colonists. The hills were eventually quarried for the climbs throughout the loop. The Buttermilk Heights vast amounts of granite. section of the trail – from 42nd Street to the Boulevard Bridge – has plenty of boulders, obstacles, creeks and ravines Can these historical tidbits help you hike, run or bike better? to keep your mind focused on the path. There aren’t many Maybe not physically, but it might give your mind something places to coast and there are many blind spots that need for a to focus on besides strained muscles and sweat. “rider up” shout on approach. The James River trail loop is a sign of the City of “I don’t know what I’d do without these trails,” Wright said, Richmond’s commitment to establishing greenways, which so he decided to join RA-MORE and help recruit others to help connect parks and neighborhoods to the benefit of lend a hand. Much of the work to design, build and maintain everyone, not just trail users. the trails comes from volunteer groups like RA-MORE. The 21st Annual IPMBA Conference will take place April 14- After thousands of volunteer hours and many weekends spent 16, 2011, in Richmond, Virginia. Pre-conference classes will on the trails, the crown jewel – a large wooden ramp – was be held April 9-13, 2011. Technical riding workshops on the installed at the east end of Maymont to connect the trail to James River Trail System are just a few of the incredible Hampton Street in 2005. array of training sessions that will be offered throughout the “I never thought the trail system would be as big a deal as it event. Don’t be left behind – visit www.ipmba.org/ is,” said Wayne Goodman of RA-MORE. “If you tried to conferences.htm, and register today! take it away from people now, you’d have a lot of trouble on your hands.”

24 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010 Member News

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 25 Cover Story Grant Me My Wish

(Continued from page 1) sense. Is what you want to do successful with consistency and applications to fund them all. You can achievable? Is it cost-reasonable? persistence. increase your odds if you follow a few Will it provide real improvement to the RESEARCH simple steps. As one grant consultant problem you have? Remember that the says, “The money is there, and it is people who review your grants are If you have not found a grant yet, the going to be given to somebody. It might people just like you. They are business internet is a good place to start looking. as well be you!” people who will know very well if what Type in EMS (or Police) grants. If you’re looking for something specific, STRATEGIC PLANNING you are asking is feasible. Think about where you want to be, then build the like cardiac monitors, type in cardiac Most people and agencies determine steps to get there. monitor grants. You may find one that they need a grant when they decide they way. Also check with professional want to purchase something they can’t SECRETS OF SUCCESS contacts, colleagues from other agencies afford in their normal budgeting Being successful at grant writing begins and vendors. There’s usually someone process. It rarely works that way. with finding a grant that matches your in the EMS (or law enforcement) Most grant processes are very focused needs. Many times agencies will try to community who knows where the grants in nature and cannot be adapted to your fit what they want into a grant process are. needs. they hear about. Usually this will not The other option is to hire a grant So how do you get a grant? First you work. Your needs must fit exactly consultant. These people can help you must understand your agency and have a within guidelines set forth by the entity find and apply for comprehensive plan for it. Most call with the money. grants, but there is this a strategic plan, but at a minimum, Next you will need to do almost always a fee. you must understand how your research. After finding Public safety grant operation currently works and what you a grant process, you consultant Kurt think it will become in the next 5–10 will need to read Bradley says, years. Look at all aspects. Think not every single word in “Time is any just about equipment, but about how its application and public safety things get done. Evaluate your guidelines. Read it employee’s most processes to determine where all before you start. valuable asset improvements can be made. Having a You may find and the one of plan prepared for all areas allows you to something that will which they have be prepared to apply for funding exclude your the least control. regardless of what your priority might agency from Procrastination be. In other words, you may really want applying. on a grant to get cardiac monitors, but the first The next application is what grant that comes up may be for data important point is keeps most agencies collection. You have to be prepared to attention to detail. from being fit the grant processes you find to a The guidelines are written for a successful.” If you variety of needs within your reason. If you do not follow them to the lack the time to organization. letter, your application will be spend seeking grants the right way, a The other thing a strategic plan does is dismissed. When a granter says an consultant may be your best bet. help you identify areas of need, so you application must be typed in 12-point Once you find a grant, you’ll need to can begin collecting data to justify grant Times New Roman font, this is exactly research its requirements and get all the requests. Every granter wants you to what it means. Will the granter throw organizational data granters want. Do prove you have a need their money can out your application because you used a not forget to get approval from the boss help meet. You need solid data to make 10-point font? Yes, it will. Your appeal early. There is no sense in doing a lot of that case. Data is the foundation on will never make it to the reviewers. work up front if your leaders are not which you will build your argument, Finally, remember that all grant writing willing to meet the requirements of the and your argument must be more has an element of luck. There are many grant or provide any required matching convincing than the next guy’s to collect factors you cannot control: how much funding. Also remember to start a file the cash. There is absolutely no money a granter has, how many people on your grant and keep every piece of replacement for solid data in a grant apply, how much everyone asks for. paper associated with the process. You narrative. Even when you do everything right, you will probably need to refer back to When you begin planning, think about still may not get approved. Do not get documents later, and even after you get the end results first. Ask yourself if discouraged. The key is to pay attention the grant to do reporting. what you are planning actually makes to detail and keep at it. You will be (Continued on page 27) 26 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010 Grant Me My Wish Cover Story

(Continued from page 26) budgeting process. Many grants requests that come in one minute after Your grant idea must be clear and require annual reports and budgets from the due date and time will be turned concise, and good data will make your past years. down. Also try to submit online story compelling. Data should be You will need to estimate what the applications well ahead of deadline. measurable, and you should always outcome of your grant will be. You Many times everyone tries to turn their quote your data source and the time will need to identify reasonable applications in at the same time, and period measured. Use the best data you numbers you can track after receiving granters’ websites may slow down or have to make your point. Local data is the grant. Be as accurate as possible (in crash. better; using a lot of national data or other words, give it your best JUST DO IT references to general information is not guess). While you always helpful. Never make anything Now is the time to begin your quest for write, remember that funding. Get your strategic planning up, because many grant processes whoever is reviewing require auditing and follow-up. and research processes started. Grant your grant probably already dollars can Once you have your numbers in order, understands your issue, but you need to it’s time to ask for support. If support outline the problem and the solution in letters are allowed, ask relevant people detail, while being as concise as provide you know to write letters specifically possible. additional supporting your cause. Think about It cannot be emphasized enough that training, equipment individuals, agencies and even elected you must cover all the details as and clout for your agency. Your efforts officials who might support what you accurately as possible. Leaving out a toward obtaining grants will help you want to do. Do this early, because it single piece of vital information will reach your goals and make a real takes time to track these down. give granters an excuse to dismiss your difference in the quality of life of each NOW LET’S WRITE! application without ever reviewing it and every person you respond to. A good narrative paints a complete completely. Most applications go Mac Kemp, MEd, EMT-P, is deputy chief picture of what you’re trying to through a two-part review: first of operations at Leon County EMS in accomplish, while at the same time electronic; then those that pass go on to Tallahassee, FL. He has been writing persuading the people reviewing your the human reviewers. Countless grants for more than 25 years and is an application that yours is more worthy appeals die in electronic review and independent grant and funding than the next guy’s. This is no simple never even get considered by real consultant. Reach him at task. Use your data to your advantage. people. Double-check all data and [email protected]. make sure you proofread and spell- You will need to quantify what critical Copyright 2010 Cygnus Business Media. infrastructure you protect and provide check the entire document. Says This article appeared in the June 2010 services for, provide call numbers and Bradley: “If you take away all the issue of EMS Magazine. describe any hazards your agency faces. reasons a reviewer has to say no, then Your data must be concrete and expose they are simply left with no choice but a problem that cannot be repaired any to say ‘yes’ and award you the other way. You will need to justify funding.” why you cannot purchase the needed Make sure you turn your application in goods or services through your normal before the deadline listed. Grant

Bibliography About.com: Grant writing. Bradley K, Stark M. Homeland Defense Grants, www.homelanddefensejournal.com/kbradley.asp. Browning BA. Grant Writing for Dummies. Foster City, CA: IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., 2001. Karsh E, Fox AS. The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need. New York: Carroll & Graf, 2003. Kluge D. Grant Resources, www.proposalwriter.com/grants.html. Non-Profit Guides. Grant Writing Tools for Non-Profit Organizations, www.npguides.org.

IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 4 27

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28 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2010 Made possible through the generous support of Mocean, manufacturers of technical law enforcement and bike patrol uniforms.