Success Fall 2006 ipmbaNewsletter of the International Police newsMountain Bike Association IPMBA: Promoting and Advocating Education and Organization for Public Safety Bicyclists. Vol. 15, No. 4 An Ongoing Theme After 30 Years ... by Maureen Becker Officer passed on promotions to stay on streets Executive Director by James Carlson uccess is an ongoing theme at IPMBA. We enjoy The Capital-Journal celebrating the achievements of our members and their July 14, 2006 S bicycle units. Never does a week go by without at least one here is a picture on a wall in the basement of the bike patrol success story appearing in the media somewhere in T Law Enforcement Center of the original five the world. Bikes may be able to operate in stealth mode, but they members of the force’s bike sure are getting noticed! patrol. Second from left is Success must be the reason that use of bikes in public safety Artie Gonzales, with jet- continues to increase. The latest figures from U.S. Department of black hair and a mustache. Justice show that as of June 2003, 45% of local police He is thin and muscled, a taut departments (up from 43% in 2000), and 16% of sheriffs offices frame that is the product of (down slightly from 17% in 2000), deploy officers on bikes. These reports (Sheriffs’ Offices 2003 and Local Police years of physical activity. Departments 2003) went on to provide detail about the number of Thirteen years later, bikes – a first! According to their research, Gonzales is the only member Bikes may be there are 28,724 bikes in police departments of that original group still on able to and 3354 in sheriffs’ offices. That is an the bike patrol. But other average of six bikes per 100 sworn officers operate in and two per 100 sworn deputies. The than a small peppering of gray hair around his temples, stealth mode, highest ratio is 11 bikes per 100 officers, in jurisdictions serving populations of 2,500- the 36-year veteran hasn’t but they sure 9,999. Big cities – those with populations in changed. Still thin, still muscled, he is just as active as are getting excess of one million – have a ratio of 3:1. he ever was with the bike patrol. All this data is important, but the very fact That will change on July 28. noticed! that it was collected speaks volumes about the role of the bike in law enforcement. Gonzales, the longest tenured officer with the Topeka Unfortunately, data on the use of bikes in the EMS field is not Police Department, will retire that day. Referred to by one fellow officer as the “consummate patrolman,” readily available. In 2002, the JEMS 200-City Report indicated that 52% of the nation’s largest cities employed a bike team at Gonzales refused numerous chances for promotion so he least occasionally. It is likely to have increased since then as (Continued on page 26) more EMS agencies are discovering the versatility of the bicycle and enjoying the access it provides to congested areas. Data on the third branch of public safety cycling – private security – is inside even more lacking. As a trend, security cycling has not yet “appeared on the radar screen” of the largest association of Board List......................................................................28 security professionals, ASIS, although IPMBA has brought it to Instructor Corner ...........................................................29-31 IPMBA Corporate Members...........................................15 their attention. It may take a few more success stories before IPMBA Remembers .......................................................21-23 they take notice. Issue Focus: Success .....................................................5-10 Speaking of success, the second edition of the Complete Guide is Member News ..............................................................24-28 making excellent progress. The review team has nearly finished News from the UK.........................................................19-20 submitting their comments, which will now be compiled and President’s Column .......................................................2 considered. The plan is to “launch” the book into production by Product Purchase Program ............................................11-14 the end of year in hopes of having the book make its debut at the Product Reviews Cannondale Grind Pants ...........................................16 conference. Now, that would be a success! Crateworks................................................................18 Note: for more information about the data referenced above, Cygolite ....................................................................17 IPMBAplease NEWS,download VOL. the 15,Fact NO. Sheet 4 from the Fact Sheet (FAQ) page 1 at www.ipmba.org. President’s Column The Many Qualities of IPMBA Get your IPMBA A good friend of mine left Maintaining a user-friendly Cycling Jerseys the IPMBA board this website for individuals interested in past September. Donald public safety cycling. This website is and Socks! “Corky” Reed tendered updated regularly to keep the his resignation and the information current and fresh. idden Gold Gifts, entire board wishes him Posting an online database to locate purveyors of IPMBA the best in all his instructors in the US and abroad. H merchandise, is pleased endeavors. Corky will be missed for his to offer the first-ever IPMBA Being governed by a board of quick wit and his enthusiasm for cycling jersey and socks! These active public safety cyclists who have a improving IPMBA. Until the annual jerseys are HOT…and perfect for combined 147 years of experience in conference in Baton Rouge (April 14- the summer cycling season. Chris 21, 2007), I will assume the role of law enforcement, EMS or the fire service and 83 years as public safety Hodges can barely keep them in Education Director. I held this position stock, so don’t waste a moment – for my first two years on the board, so cyclists. order one today! Contact Hidden I’m familiar with its functions and the While these things help make IPMBA a Gold Gifts at education committee. I look forward to professional organization, we will not [email protected], 352- working with this rest on our laurels. As a 535-7317, or dedicated group of While board, we have worked to www.hiddengoldgifts.com. IPMBA members in the improvements develop our own coming months. professionalism. We have Note: these items can found at Merriam-Webster defines don’t happen brought in experts to help http://www.hiddengoldgifts.com/ professionalism as “the overnight, with board member ipmbacyclingjersey.htm, or can conduct, aims, or qualities development and strategic be ordered by phone or email. that characterize or mark they are planning, created an a profession or a always orientation for new board professional person.” As members, and strived to public safety officers, we always try to improve both internal and external present a professional image to the communications. public. We do this for many reasons. It IPMBA is currently in the process of helps us in dealing with the public, developing the 2nd edition of the giving testimony during a court Complete Guide, complete with new proceeding, or working with the lesson plans and a professionally medical staff in an emergency developed PowerPoint slides. Each year department. Many police departments our annual conference gets better and strive to achieve CALEA accreditation better because we bring to you the very to show their professionalism. All best instructors. ipmba news department heads discuss professionalism during annual budget These are exciting times. While Newsletter of the INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION talks. improvements don’t happen overnight, 583 Frederick Road, Suite 5B they are always happening. I hope each Baltimore, MD 21228 Just as you and your department try to PH: 410-744-2400 ~ FX: 410-744-5504 of you will benefit from them. If you E-mail: [email protected] show your professionalism to the have any comments for your board, Web site: www.ipmba.org municipal administration and the public, please feel free to contact any of us. Jim Bowell IPMBA tries to present a professional IPMBA President You can find our contact information on Maureen Becker image also. There are many ways that our website at www.ipmba.org. Executive Director; Managing Editor IPMBA has done this, including: Jennifer Horan I wish each of you a happy and safe Design and Layout Having full time staff responding holiday season. Copyright 2006 © International Police Mountain Bike to members’ questions, concerns, and Association (IPMBA). Reproduction without permission requests for information. These are is prohibited. The International Police Mountain Bike Association is a usually responded to within 24 hours. non-profit educational organization providing resources, networking opportunities, and training for public safety Publishing a quarterly newsletter bicyclists. Interested in submitting an article? that is professionally designed and Interested in advertising in IPMBA News? edited. Jim Bowell Call Maureen (410-744-2400) for information. 2 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2006 IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 15, NO. 4 3 Instructor Corner 4 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Fall 2006 Success is defined pretty easily. If an idea works after time and effort put it in motion — it is a success. A goal reached is a success. In public safety cycling, success takes many forms. A patrol makes an exceptional arrest … a suspect is tracked down … bicycles are donated … a life is saved