Associação Internacional de Bicicletas de Montanha da Polícia em Belo Horizonte, Brasil

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by Craig Lepkowski, PCI #1180-B/EMSCI #272-B
Lake Forest (IL) Police Department
IPMBA Secretary

In May of 2017, I was afforded the opportunity to teach an IPMBA Police Cyclist class in Brazil. Although I do not speak Portuguese, I am fluent in Spanish and took one semester of Portuguese my senior year in college – 25 years ago! I readily accepted and made contact with the Police Commander from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Hismar Davi De Souza. Hismar and I communicated via email for a while (thank you, Google Translate!) as we worked out the particulars for me to conduct the four-day class for five officers. We chose a date in September because that fit my schedules and allowed me time to obtain a visa to enter Brazil. Since Hismar did not speak any English, he assured me a translator would be provided so that I would not have to struggle with Spanish, broken and poorly pronounced Portuguese, and sign language. My translator, Junior Salvatore, was a godsend! He reached out to me almost immediately, introducing me to WhatsApp (which everyone in Brazil uses to save on data usage for domestic and international communications), and his love of all things American. His English was near-perfect, and I was amazed to learn he was self-taught from watching TV shows, listening to music, and playing World of Warcraft with English-speaking opponents.

Once I obtained my Brazilian visa – which took three trips to the Brazilian Consulate in Chicago – I was all set to go. Because my time was very limited, I planned to fly in on a Monday morning, organize a few hours, and then teach as long as I could. I would then arrange the rest of the week so that the course could be completed by Thursday afternoon, before my flight home at 2140. I longed to stay and tour the area, but did not have the luxury of time – I had managed to schedule five off days for the adventure, and did not have any extra time for sightseeing.

Having never traveled by air with my bicycle, I did some research and determined that the most expeditious process was to use a bike box from my bike shop [Tip: when using a cardboard bike box, tape the corners heavily to protect from any damage caused by dragging it through the airport. Also, beware the handles on the ends of the box – by the end of the trip, both had torn and were barely useful. Next time, I will tape them as well.]. This not only saved me from buying an expensive carrying case; it also enabled me to bond with the bike shop mechanic who disassembled my bike, boxing it carefully while I watched and learned. My experience as liaison for the Maintenance Officer Course must have paid off because I successfully assembled (and then disassembled) the bicycle in Brazil [Derrick Maready must be an incredible instructor for all the knowledge I picked up through osmosis].

Between my personal belongings and supplies, I checked a large suitcase and my bicycle (free, thanks to frequent flyer status). I wanted to be ready to teach and muster through as best as possible even if my luggage was lost, so I had my laptop, classroom materials, IPMBA paperwork and tests, a copy of the Complete Guide, and a complete change of clothes in my carry-on. Hismar had offered to loan me a bicycle, so I knew that contingent was handled.

Day One

After a three-hour flight to Miami, an hour layover, and a seven-hour overnight flight, I arrived at in Belo Horizonte at 0740. I was greeted by a contingent of six police officers, one translator, and three vehicles to escort me and my luggage to the hotel.

Hismar, his boss (Charles Alexandre Augusto), and translator Junior informed me that while my luggage would be delivered to my hotel, I was scheduled to meet with the Commander of the Belo Horizonte Municipal Guard so he could welcome me to the city as a VIP instructor. The Municipal Guard has limited police and arrest powers. They all carry TASERS , but only a certain percentage carry firearms. They often call in and support the Brazilian Military Police. I met with the Commander and his staff at Police Headquarters, where I was graciously welcomed with coffee and cheese bread as an American who was expected to provide top-notch training. I emphasized the fact that Hismar had gone above and beyond in seeking out IPMBA and arranging for the course, praising his efforts to organize and fund the initiative.

After the meeting, I was taken to my hotel to freshen up and assemble my bicycle. The van and escort squad were waiting. I checked in, unpacked and settled in to put the bike back together. I assembled the bike, performed a thorough ABC Quick Check, showered and changed clothes, and went to meet my escorts. They were running a little late, so I walked around the block. When I returned, I was admonished not to venture out without an escort. Apparently I would be have bodyguards at my disposal for the week. The neighborhood seemed like many others I have seen in my travels, but apparently there was a concern for my safety due to the high crime rate. Nobody wanted an international incident involving their American guest!

I loaded my classroom supplies in the squad car and joined Marcos and Neto, my on-bike escorts for the week, to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

After lunch, we mounted up and rode single- and double-file to the university, where Hismar had secured a parking lot and classroom. I was relieved to see the students were experienced riders with top-notch basic skills as it was already 1500 and they wanted to end at 1800. By the time I described the course, completed the paperwork, and tempted them with trophies to be earned, the time was up.

I rode back to the hotel with Marcos and Neto. I have never seen hills like the ones in Belo Horizonte, and it was a struggle. They are steep and very long! The bike unit had received e-bikes from a local sponsor; these were ideal as they helped the officers climb steep hills and complete the slow-speed skills.

Day Two

On the second day, I was preparing to bike to class with Neto and Marcus, when I was notified that Hismar was coming with my bodyguards in an unmarked squad car. I was greeted by two plainclothes officers (Abrantes and Marcio) who drove us to the Belo Horizonte City Hall, where Hismar introduced me to the Councilman who helped him get the IPMBA class approved.

Councilman Pedro Bueno used to be a Municipal Guard, but had to give up Guard status when he ran for office. He filmed a short video welcoming me and published it on his website. I praised him and Hismar for their commitment to training, and promoted Hismar’s dream of attending an IPMBA Conference and becoming an IPMBA Instructor.

Afterwards, we drove back to my hotel to get my bike and ride to the university. By the time class started, it was almost lunch time. We fit in a few classroom sessions and then rode to the restaurant for lunch. After lunch, I was informed that the media and the Guarda Municipal Public Information Officer, Commander Augusto, were waiting for us so they could interview and videotape the class. I set up the slow box and the offset serpentine, answered a few questions, and performed a little instruction for the camera crew. The IPMBA course was a big deal; it was in the print media and on various different TV stations that evening. See the IPMBA YouTube channel (Training playlist) for a glimpse.

Finally, we practiced a few on-bike skills, but soon I was informed it was time for a snack break. As we snacked, the sun went down and we called it a day. I rode back to the hotel and was told I could shower and change, and my car would take me to meet Councilman Bueno for dinner. We met at his office before dining at Fogo de Chao with Hismar, his wife Patricia, Junior and his girlfriend Jessy, Mr. Bueno’s counsel, Shayann, and his assistant Lara. My bodyguards followed in the unmarked squad car to drive me back to my hotel.

Day Three

Since day three is typically the night ride, I spent the morning souvenir shopping. Junior and Jessy took me to a shopping area with delis; grocery, pet, and housewares stores; and clothing boutiques. We sampled some local cheese and liquor, and I bought souvenirs, all the while surreptitiously trailed by Abrantes and Marcio, my bodyguards. We returned to the hotel, changed, and met with Council President Henrique Braga before lunch and class. What was supposed to be a quick meet-and-greet turned into a couple of photo shoots, and a formal welcoming by President Braga.

After City Hall, we made it to lunch and then to the classroom only two hours later than I expected. I went over quite a bit of the test material before a pre-dinner night ride. We had a motorcycle escort (front and back) as we rode through the dark streets. Everyone had simple white lights on their bikes and were very impressed with my red and blue flashing Cygolites. We stopped for a sandwich dinner and I found a darkened side street to discuss lighting and retro-reflective material and uniforms.

During the night class, I was notified my flight home was cancelled due to Hurricane Irma making landfall in Florida. Almost all flights from Brazil to the United States go through Miami, so I was on the phone for quite a while as representative John re-routed me to get home only a day late. Instead of a 16-hour trip from Belo Horizonte to Miami to Chicago, I would travel to Sao Paulo to wait 10 hours for a flight to Dallas and then on to Chicago - a trip of about 24 hours. Hismar assured me I could stay in my hotel another night and his officers (my bodyguards) would be available to take me to the airport Friday morning.

Day Four

It was the last day of the course, and we finally started at the scheduled time. We went to a park where citizens were enjoying the Brazilian Independence Day. After riding some stairs, students who had some advanced training and experience on bikes volunteered to demonstrate some bike skills and tactics. A crowd quickly gathered and the show was on. They demonstrated riding along a raised shelf and down stairs. Then they took an “armed suspect” into custody. I was confident that their skill level was more than enough to complete the course. The difficult part would be the written test since not one student was comfortable with the English language.

We returned to the university for a lesson on dismounting and taking a suspect into custody and then to the substation for the written test. Junior did a yeoman’s job in translating the material throughout the entire course and continued to do so for the review and actual test. To overcome the language issues, Junior translated each question and the multiple choice options. The students then chose the best answer and marked it on their answer sheets.

When everyone scored 90 or higher on the written test and very easily completed the skills portions of the course, I declared the class a total success. Trophies were awarded and I gave a department patch and challenge coin to each student as a token of appreciation. I was honored to receive an elite bike unit patch in return. I have it velcro’d to my duty bag at work.

I packed up my gear and souvenirs and celebrated our success with new friends Junior, Jessy, Hismar, and Patricia. We met at restaurant that serves only acai with various toppings. Acai is a sweet fruit found in the Amazon that is frozen to the consistency of a sorbet or soft ice cream and topped with candies, corn flakes, marshmallows, Nutella, strawberries, or any combination the customer wants. Across the street, a nightclub was blasting music and full of dancing couples.

All in all, the week was an incredible adventure. I made some lifelong friends and hope to see the program in Belo Horizonte – and more of Brazil – continue to grow and develop and become part of IPMBA.

Lessons Learned

I would be remiss if I didn’t pass on the lessons I learned through the experience of international instruction. Here they are, in no particular order.

When developing your proposal, research the visa requirements beforehand.

I did not clarify from the consulate website which exact visa I needed, so I ended up making three trips to the consulate in Chicago before I had the right paperwork and got the right one.

Bring more gifts than you think necessary.

I did not account for a sixth student being added to the class. The Military Police invited themselves/were invited (I never got the true story!) and sent one of their lieutenants.

I did not expect the VIP treatment and was surprised to meet so many politicians and higher-ups. I managed, but ended up almost shortchanging the people to whom I had planned on presenting gifts.

Build in extra time for interviews, meet-and-greets, media demands, etc.

I expected to overcome classroom and location issues as most classes (and conferences) deal with last minute location changes. I did not expect the red carpet treatment and the multiple meetings with all the people who wanted their five minutes of media coverage.

Expect the 32-hour class to take more time than it does in the States.

Merely doubling the verbal component due to the instructor speaking and the translator repeating the information adds a fair amount of time. I did not have time for much incidental conversation. We had to stay on task just to fit in the tested material and essential information.

Don’t count on a lot of free time to yourself.

I was accompanied everywhere for most of the day. I enjoyed alone time at breakfast and when I returned to my room at night. The rest of the time I was meeting people, speaking through Junior, or being escorted by uniformed or plainclothes cops.

Be prepared to go off topic.

The students wanted to know a lot about American culture and police practices. We discussed schedules, the political atmosphere, guns and crime, and law enforcement vehicles and equipment almost more than bicycling information and tactics.

Craig has enjoyed riding at his department for many years and was honored to assist with the development of the department’s bike unit. Impressed with the IPMBA Course he attended in 2009, he attended the Instructor Course in 2010 and has enjoyed teaching bike skills ever since. Never one to say “no”, Craig was elected to the IPMBA Board in 2013 and is currently serving as Secretary. He can be reached at lepkowsc@cityoflakeforest.com.

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