IPMBA Conference Archives

2009 IPMBA Conference

New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. IPMBA Conference participants had ample opportunity to sample the flavorful cuisine, immerse themselves in the spectacular landscape, and experience the intriguing blend of cultures that infuse the region with many enchanting qualities. The true enchantment of the IPMBA Conference, however, is the knowledge, experience, skills, and information shared amongst public safety cyclists from around the world. Whether or not they soared above the city in a hot air balloon, IPMBA conference attendees certainly did “Rise Above the Rest!”


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Thanks to Our Hosts

The IPMBA board, staff, members, and conference attendees would like to extend their sincere thanks to the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) for hosting the 19th Annual IPMBA Conference. We are grateful to Albuquerque Police Chief Raymond Schulz and to Albuquerque Mayor Chavez for providing us with the many resources necessary to ensure a valuable and enjoyable conference experience.

The members of the conference team are to be commended for their professionalism.  They worked long hours and coordinated a great many logistics to ensure that their colleagues experienced the very best that Albuquerque has to offer, and their efforts are truly appreciated.  Conference attendees from around the US and beyond its borders had the opportunity to participate in excellent training sessions, enjoy the vibrant Albuquerque downtown, and experience fantastic off-road riding in the foothills.  They will no doubt long remember the training they received, the excitement of the competition, and the unique experience of a balloon glow at the International Balloon Museum.

IPMBA would like to recognize the Command Staff, especially conference committee chairman Officer Pat Hernandez, Crime Prevention Specialists Laura Kuehn  and Yvette Garcia, Sergeant Rob Drager, Detective Jason Westbrook, and Officers Connor Rice, Michael Benavidez, Anthony Martinez, Patrick Smith, Gary Okino, Andy Montoya, and Jake Gassel.  Our thanks also to all the bike officers who served as ride guides and support staff, including Officers Leah Kelly, Shane Bailey, Josh Rogers, Matt Hannum, Chermaine Carter, Mario Verbeck, Max Miranda, Geoff Stone, and John Stott.

We appreciate the participation of Sgt. Jimmy Collins and the members of the mounted unit who assisted with the crowd management workshop; Officer Dwayne Clark; Range Officer Art Martinez; the members of the APD Honor Guard; Sgt. Kevin Rowe; and Chaplain Brianne Dennison.
We are grateful for the support of members from APD’s partnering agencies, especially Officer Ray Olesky of the University of New Mexico Police Department, Lt. Karl Overmyer and Officer William Lucero of the Albuquerque Public Schools Police Department; Chief Greg Perez and the firefighters from the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque Fire Department; Chuck Malagodi of the Department of Parks and Recreation; and the many fine volunteers from the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Association.  We could not have had a successful event without all of them.

Although the challenging economic times resulted in a smaller-than-average attendance, those who were able to participate had an excellent training experience.

Stay Ahead of the Curve: 20th Annual IPMBA Conference, May 6-8, 2010, Chesterfield-St. Louis, Missouri.

View photos of the 2009 IPMBA Conference here:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/97613337@N07/collections/72157635262493808/

(c) 2009 IPMBA.  This article appeared in the Summer 2009 issue of IPMBA News.