IPMBA Conference Archives

2014 IPMBA Conference

May 16-23, 2014. The IPMBA Conference was held in Florida for the first time since 1993. Back then, IPMBA was just one year old and the IPMBA Police Cyclist Course, which attracted 90 participants from around the country, was just being rolled out to the masses. Things were a little different this year, but no less exciting, as 250 attendees representing 125 agencies from 35 states as well as Argentina, Canada, Iceland, Switzerland, and the UK flocked to Tampa like a bunch of snowbirds. They participated in a wide array of multi-day training courses and a dizzying selection of workshops. From Airport Operations to Event Planning, Bicycle Response Teams to Firearms, Maintenance to Bicycle Rodeos, they filled the streets, alleys, and parks of Tampa with all kinds of IPMBA training. Take a little ride with us down memory lane.


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  • 2014 IPMBA Conference



Thanks to Our Hosts

The IPMBA board, staff, members, and conference attendees would like to express their sincere appreciation to Chief Jane Castor and the Tampa Police Department (TPD) for hosting the 24th Annual IPMBA Conference.  Without their support and that of their partnering agencies, the Tampa International Airport (TIA) Police Department and the University of Tampa (UT) Department of Campus Safety, this conference would not have been possible. 

IPMBA would like to recognize the members of the Command Staff, who were essential to providing an excellent training experience.  We would like to extend special recognition to Sergeant Eddy Croissant, a long-time IPMBA member and staunch supporter who has been the driving force behind IPMBA’s return to Florida for the first time since 1993.  He and key committee members Sr. Cpl. Judy Diaz and Officers Kristina Duran and Jesse Horn invested many hours and much effort into the planning and implementation of this conference.

Their efforts were supported by Command Staff members Sgt. Doug Groves, Cpl. Colin McCoy, MPOs David Cosme, Michael Duran, and Julio Martinez;  Officer Robin Ward, Dispatcher Tina McGrath, PTS Thomas Downes, and others too numerous to mention, but whose contributions were nonetheless essential to the success of the conference.

We would also like to commend the fine young men and women from the Tampa Police Department Explorers who volunteered their time to staff the IPMBA Bike Check, an essential function that ensures the security of attendees’ bicycles and related equipment.  They of course were always ready and willing to complete “other duties as assigned.” 

IPMBA joins instructors John Zizzo of Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport Police and Gerard Robinson of London Ambulance Service, Heathrow Airport, in extending special thanks to Airport Police Chief Paul Sireci, Lt. Theodore Pawlowski, Sgt. Robert Thomson, Officers Rick Hackett, Michael Marston, and Lane Grove; and the other members of the TIA team who contributed to the success of the Airport Operations program. 

Also essential to the conference was the cooperation of UT Security Director Kevin Howell, who facilitated our use of the parking garage for cone courses (and shelter from the sun) and for providing access to restroom facilities.  We also are grateful for the secure, free parking used by attendees who brought trailers and/or oversized vehicles to the event.

We are grateful to the generous in-kind and financial support provided by Tampa Bay and Company, the Tampa Police Benevolent Association, Oliver’s Cycles, Columbia Restaurant, Hattrick’s Tavern, and the Bad Monkey.  Last, but not least, we thank Steve and Laura Toll of ISM Saddles, who graciously provided warehouse storage space for conference supplies.  

Finally, we thank YOU.  We recognize that you often have to overcome such obstacles as staffing shortages, training budget reductions, and travel restrictions to attend.  Your commitment to training is an inspiration.  

We look forward to seeing you at the 25th Annual IPMBA Conference, April 11-18, 2015, in Chandler, Arizona.

View 2014 IPMBA Conference photos here.