Putting the Brass on Bikes…Reprise*
by Austen Schlecht, PCI #1944
Castle Rock (CO) Police Department
I earned my IPMBA Instructor certification in September and, in October, taught my first IPMBA Police Cyclist Course with my fellow instructor, Jake Coyle. There were five students in that class – and one of them was my chief. Talk about a potentially awkward situation!
I was asked several times by line level officers and command staff, “How is it, teaching the chief?” My answer was always, “I can see why he is the chief. He is attentive and engaging, and works harder than any of the other students”.
Teaching my chief was an incredible opportunity. I got to know the person who leads my department in an entirely different capacity. My chief, on the other hand, got to experience what we do on a daily basis. We each left the class feeling inspired by the other, and more importantly, with a better understanding of one another’s roles in the department.
I encourage all command staff to take the IPMBA course to gain a greater appreciation of what it takes to be a public safety cyclist. It also helps those of us on the front lines to better understand our leaders. I would be remiss if I neglected to mention that, since having successfully completed the IPMBA Course, the chief has remarked several times that he wants the life of a bike officer – no greater compliment than that!
*On June 26, 2001, IPMBA Instructor Bob Ricciardi of the Palm Beach County (FL) Sheriff's Office conducted an “Executive Bike Class” for then-Sheriff Ed Bieluch and other members of the management team. As he reported in the Summer 2001 issue of IPMBA News, the class gave Bob “a unique opportunity to help them to understand what a bike officer has to deal with, and what it takes to become one. It also netted them more suitable uniforms and full-time bike technician. It is rare for a chief to take the time to attend even an abbreviated class, much less a full 32-hour one. We commend Chief Jack Cauley on his willingness to get into the saddle and discover the challenges and rewards of policing by bicycle.
(c) 2020 IPMBA. This article appeared in the 2020 Board Issue of IPMBA News.