IPMBA Conference Archives
2008 IPMBA Conference
People from all over the world flock to Indianapolis to immerse themselves in the history and tradition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The world’s greatest drivers have handled the curves at speeds in excess of 200 mph, and records have been set and broken. On Saturday, April 26, 2008, a new record was set as nearly 150 bike officers and medics poured onto the track. Some were inspired to accelerate to racing speed; others pedaled slowly, savoring every inch of the 2.5 miles. It was the culmination of the seven days of training and camaraderie that was the 18th Annual IPMBA Conference.
Photo Gallery
Photos on Flickr
Thanks to Our Hosts
The IPMBA board, staff, members, and conference attendees would like to extend their sincere thanks to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) for hosting the 18th Annual IPMBA Conference. We are grateful to Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and Chief of Police Michael Spears for providing us with the many resources necessary to provide our attendees with a valuable and enjoyable conference experience.
The word resources has a very broad definition. One might be tempted to think only of the obvious resources needed for a conference – a hotel, meeting rooms, training venues, equipment, transportation, food, printed material, etc. When making a list, it can be easy to overlook the most essential resource of them all – the individuals who put all the other resources to use to acheive the end result. For their time and their talents, we are truly grateful.
IPMBA gratefully acknowledges the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department and all who participated in the planning and implementation of the IPMBA conference, starting with Doug Johnson. In 2005, Doug traveled to the IPMBA Board Meeting in Scottsdale to present a bid to host the 2008 conference. At that time, he represented the Indianapolis Police Department (IPD). Little did he know that over the course of the next three years, the IPD would merge with the Marion County Sheriffs Office and be transformed into the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD). Despite the challenges associated with this magnitude of change, Doug and the other members of the conference planning team never wavered in their commitment to the success of the event.
Speaking of commitment, long-time IPMBA member and instructor Al Simpson volunteered his services to the conference planning effort. Having filled just about every other conference-related role – attendee, instructor, board member, education director – he decided to try his hand at host committee member. Al brought a wealth of knowledge, experience, dedication, and that most elusive resource – time – to the table. His energy, enthusiasm, and passion for IPMBA helped drive the conference to success.
Rounding out the host committee were Brad Bolling, IMPD; Brent Denny, ISU Public Safety; Brandon Laser, IMPD; and Mike McKenna, Lawrence P.D. They in turn were supported by a host of police personnel and volunteers. Many thanks to IMPD officers George Myers, Brian Pawlecki, Todd Scroggins, Gene Czaplinski, Steve Harris, Eric Simmons, Loren Eltzroth, Leon Essig, Kevin Jensen, Corey Shaffer, David Hinshaw, Steve Brinker, Josh Shaughnessy, Brad Harris, Aaron Snyder, Sgt. Doug Forrest, Scott Meyers, Brian Spengler; Sgt. Matthew Grimes, Rod Wallace, Jackie Stackman, Kevin Jennings; Southport PD Deputy Chief Mark Meyers and Officer Randy Swindle; Lawrence P.D. Officers Tracy Cantrell and Stacy Perkins; and Cumberland P.D. Sgt. Glen Talbot and Officers Jimmy Laws and Ryan Archer.
Not to be overlooked are the members of the police reserves who so willingly gave of their time in support of the event. These include Sgts. Mike Zinkan, Joe Bowman, and Bob Beck-Coon; Officers Parks, Campbell, and Meyers; and Officers Mick Jackson, Steven Docherty, John Simeone, Pat Allen, and Paul Gosnell.
After seven action-packed days of training, culminating in a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track, the words “thank you” seem inadequate, but given the limitations of language, they will have to suffice. Thank you, 2008 IPMBA Conference Team, for making the 18th Annual IPMBA Conference a tremendous success.
Rise Above the Rest at the 19th Annual IPMBA Conference, April 25-May 2, 2009, in Albuquerque, New Mexico!
View 2008 IPMBA Conference photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/97613337@N07/collections/72157635274118353/
© 2008 IPMBA. This article appeared in the Summer 2008 issue of IPMBA News.