IPMBA Brand Ambassadors

By ADMIN 0 Comments

by Gary Strang, PCI #1457
London (ON) Police Service
IPMBA Membership Director

How many times have you been asked about what it’s like to be a police cyclist? Or what might be involved in police cyclist training? Maybe you’ve taken a moment to tell a fellow officer about just how much fun you had while taking the Police Cyclist Course. Or that you absolutely learned the most of any police course you’ve ever had the opportunity to be enrolled in. I know firsthand that most officers who complete the Police Cyclist Course feel that way.

I’m sure any bike officer can attest to having heard comments like “nice bike”, “that must be fun” and so on. I can’t stop at an intersection without someone making some kind of positive comment or asking a relevant question about the cool job I must have. There are plenty of questions to answer; about the bike, what policing on a bicycle is like, and how much fun we have working in a police bicycle unit. I am sure this all applies to EMS and Security as well.

These enquiries aren’t limited to field operations alone. They permeate into our days off when curious civilians we come in contact with also want to know about what we do. But for now, I want to focus on the conversations we have with fellow officers, members of outside agencies and anyone who would benefit from attending a Police Cyclist Course.

We carry a lot of weight when it comes to being police cyclists and providing information and support to other officers and agencies. We are all brand ambassadors of the IPMBA banner. We all know the ins and outs of our bikes and what we can do on them. The improved level of value-added service, the access and ability to go where cars can’t, the interaction with the community we serve. We all become experts on the topic in one way or the other and we all have a responsibility to further the cause. Supporting IPMBA is the absolute best thing we can do to ensure we maintain relevant training that evolves with policing. All of us know this statement is true. The question is, what are we doing to ensure our brand remains strong, vibrant and relevant to growing trends?

I know there are times when we just aren’t in the mood to talk about our jobs. We all need a break from the hectic pace of front line service. I’m just asking that when you have the opportunity to pass along the message about what IPMBA has to offer, or how being a part of this organization will help their front line, please do so. We collectively are the brand and we all share ownership and responsibility of our brand.

We have a responsibility to represent ourselves as independent brand ambassadors for who and what we feel is the best training in the police cyclist business. Knowledge is power, my brothers and sisters, and so is teaching folks the ways of front-line service cycling.

Gary is a 32-year veteran of the London Police Service in London, Ontario, and is currently in charge of the bike unit. He rides to work and has done so for the past 20 years, including during the winter months. On weekends he races on a road bike. His favorite quote is, “cycling never gets easier; you just go faster.” He was certified as an IPMBA Instructor in 2014 and is currently serving as membership coordinator on the IPMBA Board. He can be reached at gstrang@police.london.ca.

IPMBA News