Infect Your Students!
by Thomas Zermeno, PCI #1390T-B/EMSCI #412T-B
Norman Police Department, Norman OK
IPMBA Education Coordinator
Back in August, I was co-instructing during an Instructor Course in Denton, Texas. During the course, I was reminded of a mantra that I strive to live by and pass on to each Instructor Course graduate. This is something that I would like to share with the rest of the IPMBA instructor cadre and all other members who serve in any instructor capacity. I challenge all of you to BE INFECTIOUS. Now, before you take that out of context, allow me to explain what I mean.
As IPMBA instructors, we are the first exposure that most public safety cyclists have to IPMBA. This means we have the opportunity to demonstrate the importance and value of the organization. It is easy just to teach the lesson plans; they will still be successful. We could just point out the cone courses, show them how to do each one, and coach them along. But what if we included something that isn’t written into the lesson plan? Something that promotes successful attitudes as well as enjoyment of riding? I am talking about enthusiasm.
This brings me back to the Instructor Course. I was presenting the lesson on “The Delivery”. During my presentation, I explained how the Old Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider operates. This was my hook. While visiting Arlington National Cemetery, I stood in awe of their dedication to duty and the crispness of their movements. In preparing for my presentation, therefore, I researched the Old Guard and what it takes to qualify for it. It is very intense, and it is very clear that this responsibility is not meant for everyone, and those to whom it is entrusted take it very seriously.
I located a video online of what a soldier does when someone crosses the chains. The soldier immediately stops marching (which is rare to see) and turns toward the person or persons that crossed the chains. The soldier then issues a firm command: “Please stand behind the rails and the chains at all times.”
If the trespasser doesn’t move, the soldier marches toward that person, stops, and states even more loudly: “Get behind the rails and the chains.”
If this still doesn’t get the attention of the trespasser, the soldier chambers a round in the M4, marches a few steps closer, and at an even higher volume, demands: “Get behind the chains and rails!” The soldier then just stops and waits, without any movement, but with intense focus on the trespasser. If they haven’t moved by this time, peer pressure from the crowd or orders from staff eventually cause them to retreat behind the rails. Once the trespasser finally gets the message and moves, the soldier resumes marching, as if nothing had happened.
What would happen if the soldier just ignored the violator or delivered the message in a very soft-spoken manner, like “Officer Hooks” from the Police Academy movies? Would the message from the soldier be taken seriously? Probably not. The manner in which the message is delivered is what causes the trespasser and the bystanders to believe the soldier.
This brings me back to my original point: BE INFECTIOUS. How we deliver our message is what makes our students successful and promotes public safety cycling. The way we send our message is how it is going to be received. If we do the bare minimum to get the students through the class, we should expect to get the minimum in return. But if we give it our all and show our enthusiasm, the return will be immense. We can infect our students with enthusiasm and enjoyment. If we do this, they will not only be successful, but they will also leave our class talking about how it was the best learning experience they have ever had.
If we are enthusiastic and genuinely enjoy what we are doing, we will encourage positive peer pressure from the class participants. This can create leaders within groups who will help those who struggle, which in turn will result in stronger riders as well as a positive response about the training we have provided. AND, it will promote a positive image of the organization, for which we are all ambassadors, thus enabling IPMBA to continue to provide superior training to public safety cyclists.
So go forth, be infectious, and genuinely enjoy what you do!
Thomas joined the Norman Police Department in 2009. He is currently assigned to night shift patrol and is the training coordinator and instructor for the bike team. He has been active with IPMBA since 2011, after taking the IPMBA Police Cyclist Course. He was certified as PCI at the 2013 conference in Baton Rouge and cross-trained as an EMSCI in 2017. He became an Instructor Trainer in 2019, BRT certified in 2020, and BRT instructor certified in 2021. He currently serves on the IPBMA Board of Directors as the Education Coordinator. He can be reached at Thomas.Zermeno@yahoo.com.
Photo courtesy Thomas Zermeno.
(c) IPMBA. This article appeared in the 2021 Board Issue of IPMBA News.