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The 18th Annual IPMBA Conference:
Keeping you up to Speed!
People from all over the world flock
to Indianapolis to immerse themselves in the history and tradition of the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The world's greatest drivers have handled the
curves at speeds in excess of 200 mph, and records have been set and broken.
On Saturday, April 26, 2008, a new record was set as nearly 150 bike officers
and medics poured onto the track. Some were inspired to accelerate to racing
speed; others pedaled slowly, savoring every inch of the 2.5 miles. It was
the culmination of the seven days of training and camaraderie that was the
18th Annual IPMBA Conference.
The IPMBA board, staff, members, and conference attendees would like to extend
their sincere thanks to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD)
for hosting the 18th Annual IPMBA Conference. We are grateful to Indianapolis
Mayor Greg Ballard and Chief of Police Michael Spears for providing
us with the many resources necessary to provide our attendees with a valuable
and enjoyable conference experience.
The word resources has a very broad definition. One might be tempted
to think only of the obvious resources needed for a conference - a hotel,
meeting rooms, training venues, equipment, transportation, food, printed
material, etc. When making a list, it can be easy to overlook the most essential
resource of them all - the individuals who put all the other resources to
use to acheive the end result. For their time and their talents, we are truly
grateful.
IPMBA gratefully acknowledges the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department
and all who participated in the planning and implementation of the IPMBA
conference, starting with Doug Johnson. In 2005, Doug traveled to
the IPMBA Board Meeting in Scottsdale to present a bid to host the 2008
conference. At that time, he represented the Indianapolis Police Department
(IPD). Little did he know that over the course of the next three years, the
IPD would merge with the Marion County Sheriffs Office and be transformed
into the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). Despite the
challenges associated with this magnitude of change, Doug and the other members
of the conference planning team never wavered in their commitment to the
success of the event.
Speaking of commitment, long-time IPMBA member and instructor Al Simpson
volunteered his services to the conference planning effort. Having filled
just about every other conference-related role - attendee, instructor, board
member, education director - he decided to try his hand at host committee
member. Al brought a wealth of knowledge, experience, dedication, and that
most elusive resource - time - to the table. His energy, enthusiasm, and
passion for IPMBA helped drive the conference to success.
Rounding out the host committee were Brad Bolling, IMPD; Brent
Denny, ISU Public Safety; Brandon Laser, IMPD; and Mike
McKenna, Lawrence P.D. They in turn were supported by a host of police
personnel and volunteers. Many thanks to IMPD officers George
Myers, Brian Pawlecki, Todd Scroggins, Gene
Czaplinski, Steve Harris, Eric Simmons, Loren
Eltzroth, Leon Essig, Kevin Jensen, Corey
Shaffer, David Hinshaw, Steve Brinker, Josh
Shaughnessy, Brad Harris, Aaron Snyder, Sgt. Doug
Forrest, Scott Meyers, Brian Spengler; Sgt. Matthew
Grimes, Rod Wallace, Jackie Stackman, Kevin
Jennings; Southport PD Deputy Chief Mark Meyers and Officer Randy
Swindle; Lawrence P.D. Officers Tracy Cantrell and Stacy
Perkins; and Cumberland P.D. Sgt. Glen Talbot and Officers Jimmy
Laws and Ryan Archer.
Not to be overlooked are the members of the police reserves who so willingly
gave of their time in support of the event. These include Sgts. Mike
Zinkan, Joe Bowman, and Bob Beck-Coon; Officers Parks,
Campbell, and Meyers; and Officers Mick Jackson, Steven
Docherty, John Simeone, Pat Allen, and Paul Gosnell.
After seven action-packed days of training, culminating in a lap around the
Indianapolis Motor Speedway track, the words "thank you" seem inadequate,
but given the limitations of language, they will have to suffice. Thank you,
2008 IPMBA Conference Team, for making the 18th Annual IPMBA Conference a
tremendous success.
© 2008 IPMBA. This article
appeared in the Summer 2008 issue of IPMBA News.
Rise Above
the Rest at the 19th Annual IPMBA
Conference,
April 25-May 2, 2009, in Albuquerque, New Mexico! |
