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By Kathy Vonk PCI #042T
Ann Arbor Police Department (MI)
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So you're thinking of taking the Advanced Class
but you find yourself wondering, "Will it be too difficult? Will it be too
easy? Is it all kick-ass, high-speed, difficult-terrain bike ridin'?" This
class, led by Gary McGlaughlin of Sacramento PD - one of IPMBA's top police
mountain bike instructors - and supported by a staff of the same caliber,
is the best school a police cyclist could ever take. Now you're thinking,
"what makes it so great?" Each day begins with an advanced single-track ride
of no more than 15 miles. The class is divided into small groups with at
least three instructors per group. These instructors won't just take you
to the trailhead and say, "See you at the end!" Rather, one or two instructors
lead at the pace of the most skilled riders. One or two "float", providing
personalized instruction along the way. The rest ride at the pace of the
slower riders, assisting with mechanical malfunctions, providing first aid
as necessary, and making sure everyone stays well hydrated. At various points
along the trail, the group comes together to discuss ways to conquer obstacles
that await, such as extremely steep hills and exceptionally challenging terrain,
or to share techniques designed to assist students in becoming better riders.
As if the demanding morning rides are not enough, the afternoons bring
challenging low speed technical drills. This is not just another cone course!
You may ride teeter-totters, play "bicycle limbo", bump front tires with
a partner and ride away, open a door without touching the ground, split a
cone between your front and rear tires, ride an inclined keyhole, and face
other tests of skill. These drills can't be described with mere words, so
come experience them for yourself!
The Advanced Class also features the most realistic firearms training you've
experienced, with drills that gradually increase in difficulty and tactical
application. You will start out with basic weapon manipulation wearing full
cycling gear and move into other drills such as shooting on the move, choosing
and deploying the appropriate level of force.
The instructors, who have combined years of creative and tactical police
cyclist firearms training experience with the expertise of Heckler &
Koch, will challenge you with a variety of drills. Many police cyclist-involved
shootings have included the officer suddenly disengaging from the bike, either
by intention (rapid dismount) or not ("endo" or wipe-out due to a sudden
lethal threat). For this reason, you will practice relative positioning drills:
the instructors will put you and your bike in various positions on the ground
and require you to fire, then disengage from the bike and move to cover.
Other police cyclist-involved shootings have occurred at the end of foot
pursuits. For this reason, the instructors may challenge you with a physical
exertion drill, in which you must shoot accurately after riding a certain
distance or completing an obstacle course. You might engage in a simulated
foot pursuit, in which you "chase" a "suspect" (pneumatic target). When the
"suspect" turns and presents a weapon, you must dismount and accurately deliver
the rounds. Finally, you might be dispatched to a lethal force scenario,
in which you will be required to bring everything together under stress and
neutralize the threat. You might practice shooting from 50, 75, and 100 yards,
and learn your effective range with your sidearm; important knowledge when
patrolling without that big piece of moving cover that road patrol officers
take with them wherever they go.
This course doesn't end on the firing range. You will participate in realistic
training drills utilizing Redman training gear. Your coaches for this day
are trained Active Countermeasures Instructors. You will suit up in Redman
student gear, and be led through a series of partner drills, including
decision-making, verbal control and use of physical force. These drills might
include a decision-maker exercise, escalation and de-escalation of force,
weapon transitioning, weapon retention from the ground up, foot pursuit ending
in compliance, physical resistance, and the presentation of a pistol.
The last day is the most challenging. You will again suit up in partial Redman,
your pistols will be converted to use SIMUNITION® FX® marking
cartridges*, and all safety precautions will be put into place. Your coaches
will be trained SIMUNITION® Safety Supervisors. Working with a partner
in reality-based scenarios, you will be required to respond to and "handle"
calls as you would in real life. You will feel the stress and the challenge
of each scenario, as you will not know what level of resistance, if any,
will be offered. You will have to use your verbal skills, your investigative
skills, your inert OC, your baton (deployment only), your handcuffs, your
pistol and what you have learned in the preceding three days.
So. Can you handle the class? Most police cyclists - Yes. Will you learn
a lot? Yes. Will your riding skills as well as your tactics improve? Absolutely.
Come ride with us and receive the best possible police cyclist training
available. The IPMBA Advanced Police Instructors look forward to seeing you
in Cincinnati!
*SIMUNITION® and FX® are registered
trademarks of General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems-Canada Inc. |
