Responding to
Terrorism Through Training
Most would agree that the nature of public safety has changed since the strikes
on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. There is
a heightened sense of awareness about the country's vulnerability, and the
need to be prepared for additional terrorist activity. IPMBA recognizes the
importance of addressing issues related to terrorism, and is pleased to present
two extremely relevant training sessions.
In Bikes at the Pentagon, 9/11, Could We Have Done More?, IPMBA
Instructor Bob Halsall, Jr., will share his personal experiences in the wake
of the attack on the Pentagon. Bob's agency, the Arlington County (VA) Fire
Department, was one of the first on site, and served as the National Medical
Response Team Decontamination Unit. Numerous local and federal agencies -
both police and EMS - provided support, including the Federal Protective
Service (Pentagon Police), which used bikes. Bob will discuss the degree
to which bikes were used and, in retrospect, the degree to which they may
have been used. He will expand the presentation to include the implications
of integrating public safety bikes in response to large-scale catastrophic
events.
In State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training, a trainer from
the Tri-State Regional Community Policing Institute will present important
safety information designed for all law enforcement officers. This training
is designed to assist officers in identifying and understanding specific
characteristics that distinguish terrorists from typical street criminals.
This information will assist officers in guarding their own safety as well
as that of their community members.
Bikes Against Terror: The
Israeli Experience
IPMBA is pleased to announce a new workshop in the line-up for the 2003 IPMBA
Conference. Michael Satlow, an auxiliary police officer for the Jerusalem
District Police Force, will describe his experience patrolling in Jerusalem
against suicide bombers, package and car bombs, and other acts of terrorism.
For the past two years, Michael has been part of a pilot project to patrol
the center of town by bicycle. He is also the founder of a bicycle patrol
unit comprised of volunteers for the southern part of the city.
The workshop will be presented on Thursday, May 22, from 5:00-6:15pm and
on Saturday, May 24, from 12:00-1:15pm. Note: this workshop does not appear
on the workshop schedule in the conference registration packet. If you
plan on attending one of the sessions, please write it in at the appropriate
time.
Law Enforcement Officers Flying While
Armed
In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the long-standing
policies and procedures regarding law enforcement officials flying while
armed were significantly altered. The FAA, in conjunction with the aviation
industry and the U.S. law enforcement community, has issued a revised set
of guidelines governing on-board carrying by LEOs.
The FAA recognizes that law enforcement officers at times have the need to
fly armed; therefore, the new guidelines have defined the requirements that
must be met. The first requirement is that all LEOs who have a need to fly
armed complete the FAA training Law Enforcement Officers Flying Armed.
This two-hour course may be taught only by instructors certified by the FAA,
and IPMBA is fortunate that Officer Ed Croissant, IPMBA PCI #366, of the
Tampa (FL) Police Department, has obtained the necessary certification. He
will present Flying While Armed two times during the conference. Each session
will address the following topics: justifying conditions, transporting prisoners,
weapons in checked baggage, responsible persons, proper reaction to hijacking,
discharging firearms on aircraft, and what to do if denied boarding. Upon
completion of this workshop, you will earn the certificate required for on-board
carriage of a firearm.
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Bicycle Polo
Returns to the IPMBA Conference
For the second consecutive year, the
Bicycle Polo Association
of America will be hosting bicycle polo workshops at the IPMBA conference.
Last year's sign-up was impressive, but inclement weather had a chilling
effect on actual turnout. A workshop will be offered on Friday morning, followed
by a Saturday morning bike polo match involving both IPMBA and civilian players.
Bicycle polo has been around in some form or another since 1884, and has
recently been enjoying a renaissance. International tournaments have been
held in each of the last four years, and the U.S. will host the World
Championships in the fall of 2003. Matheson's team won the 2002 World
Championships in Paris, France, thirty years after his first tournament win
in the United States. He is hoping to generate enough interest in the sport
to form an IPMBA league among the various mountain bike squads throughout
the country. Sergeant Jim Roy of the Topeka P.D. has started a team and will
doubtless be looking for some competition in the near future.
Bike polo offers excellent bike-handling skills training. Because one's attention
must be focused on the game, it requires bike skills to become second nature,
which is also essential for police and EMS cyclists on duty. It is possibly
the most enjoyable way to put in time on a bike, especially for fans of team
and/or racket sports. The unique combination of cycling, team play, and eye-hand
coordination makes bike polo a singular challenge, which makes mastery of
it all the more rewarding. And bike polo is a sport for all ages, since the
low-impact nature of cycling makes it a lot easier on older joints and muscles
than sports that involve a lot of running and stopping.
Hope to see you all at the 13th Annual IPMBA Conference ready to take on
the bike polo challenge!
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Post-Conference Adventures with
ACE
IPMBA has partnered with ACE Adventure
Center to offer IPMBA Conference attendees a chance to explore Wild,
Wonderful, West Virginia. Shoot the rapids on two of America's best whitewater
rivers, ride miles upon miles of scenic singletrack, or scale the heights
of the finest rock-climbing area in the east. Each trip is an all-day adventure
that includes an exceptional lunch in a scenic spot. Transportation will
be provided to and from Charleston for all participants. Tours will be available
on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25.
Option #1: New River Gorge Singletrack. ACE's 1400-acre site joins the
70,000-acre New River, where miles upon miles of fine trails and beautiful
back roads await exploration. The trails will take you to stunning overlooks
high above the New River before descending to explore the river's banks.
$75.
Option #2: Climb & Rappel at ACE. Join a guide for a day of climbing
and rappelling in the scenic Upper Gorge. The guide manages all aspects of
the climbing site and equipment while you get out on the rocks. $85.
Option #3: The Gauley River -World-Class Rafting. This is an ideal trip for
the experienced whitewater rafter. With over 50 Class II to V+ rapids, the
Gauley offers plenty of excitement and some world-class wilderness scenery.
This ride requires maximum teamwork! $89.
Option #4: The Lower Gauley - Simply Amazing. Stunning scenery waits around
every bend. Magnificent vistas unfold before you as you ride huge waves and
bottomless holes that will knock you around the raft. $87.
Option #5: Lower New River Gorge -True Whitewater Adventure. The Lower New
River is the perfect trip for both first-timers and experienced rafters.
This trip features big waves, over 20 Class II-IV+ rapids, and the New's
famous "surfing holes." The takeout point is under the soaring 876-foot high
New River Gorge Bridge. $80.
To make a reservation, contact Sandy Brown at 888-223-7238 x 126. Be sure
to tell her you're with the IPMBA Conference!
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IPMBA
Competition: A "Capitol" Event
The Charleston Police Department and its Bike Unit are proud to host the
13th Annual IPMBA Conference & Product Exhibition. We were excited to
be chosen as the venue for this event and we have been hard at work for many
months planning a terrific event, including the competition.
Charleston is the capital city of West Virginia, known for its mountainous
terrain and its gold-domed Capitol, situated on the banks of the Kanawha
River. Those up to the challenge of the Competition will navigate urban obstacles
around the scenic campus of the state Capitol. The competition, scheduled
for late afternoon on Friday, May 23, is sure to entice many state workers
and interested passersby to congregate around the large fountain to watch
the contest.
Even the strongest and most skilled riders will be put to the test on this
urban obstacle course. This is not your basic orange traffic cone slalom!
You will navigate parking blocks and clay dummies. You will climb stairs,
follow the balance beam, survive the limbo challenge - and tackle Charleston's
own version of the "Patch Collector." And just when you think it is all over
because you've survived all the obstacles, you've got a short sprint on foot
to the finish!
After the competition, all conference attendees are invited to a cookout
in a downtown setting, as the conference winds down and prepares to go into
its final day Saturday. We look forward to seeing everyone for the conference
and can't wait for you to give Charleston's obstacle course your best
shot!
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History of
the Charleston Police Department
The first historical evidence of an organized Police Force in Charleston
is after the Civil War. Records survive that tell of a city police force
and some of its members prior to and during the war. The going rate for a
police officer of the 1860's and early 1870's in Charleston was $1.00 per
day, or $30.00 per month. This salary does not appear to be much, but it
was almost as much as teachers made.
On April 16, 1873, the Charleston Police Department was born with the passing
of the following resolution: An ordinance by the Council of the City of
Charleston from and after the 1st day of May 1873. The Police force of the
City of Charleston shall consist of not less than six men beside the Chief
of Police. This number may be added to from time to time as the council shall
direct and all of said force to be appointed by the council, except the Chief
who is elected by the people and removed by them at their will and pleasure
or by order of the Mayor.
By the early 1900's, the department had expanded to 25 officers, a Lieutenant,
and an appointed Chief. The population of the city had risen to almost 20,000
citizens. Throughout the early 20th century, the city as well as the department
continued to grow. Both a detective division and a traffic unit were organized.
The 50's and 60's brought a vice squad, accident cars, and a crime prevention
unit. The 70's brought Charleston's first sworn female officer, radar, and
the city's first drug unit.
Today the department has an authorized strength of 182 sworn officers, and
50 civilian employees. These employees police an area of approximately 35
square miles. The population of the Capitol City swells to over 200,000 on
any given day. The department revolves around a Patrol Division that has
four shifts working 12 hours a day.
Each shift has 12 beat cars, three Sergeants and a Lieutenant. The officers
of this division are supported by a Criminal Investigation Unit, a Metro
Drug Enforcement Unit, Bicycle Unit, Street Crimes Unit, Records Division,
Professional Standards Unit, Informational Services Unit, a Training Division,
Grants Section, and a Community Services Division.
The 1990's saw the addition of the Charleston Police Department Bicycle Patrol
Unit, formed in 1991 to augment the community policing philosophy. Initial
training was conducted by IPMBA PCI #001 - Allan Howard of the Dayton (OH)
Police Department. Today the bike unit consists of eight officers and one
supervisor. Any officer assigned to the unit is required to take a 40 hour
IPMBA Police Cyclist Course. Charleston has enjoyed the benefits of a
well-training bicycle unit these past 11 years - speed and mobility, visibility
and stealth, increased citizen contact and numerous arrests of unsuspecting
"bad guys."
The members of the Charleston Police Department, especially the bike officers,
look forward to welcoming you to Charleston.
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