The survival mindset
Week 3: Jan. 17-23
For the 23 returning recruits, week three of the Department of Natural Resources conservation officer training academy began Tuesday, Jan. 19, with the first of several big training blocks. Recruits had enjoyed a long weekend, with the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Jan. 18.
Learning about the law
Over the next 11 weeks, these men and women will be trained in all aspects of the legal and criminal justice system. By completion of week 15, they will have received 75 hours of legal education from Michigan Bar Association-certified instructors.
Retired Michigan State Police Inspector David Greydanus welcomed the recruits to the classroom Tuesday morning with a packed agenda. Over the next four hours, recruits were introduced to constitutional law and court functions, training that will be instrumental as they begin their careers. Michigan conservation officers – as fully commissioned peace officers – are empowered to enforce all Michigan laws.
“Conservation officers are often the first to respond in rural policing situations,” said Sgt. Jason Wicklund, recruit school commander. “Arson, theft, domestic violence and driving under the influence are just a few of the many situations that conservation officers respond to in their communities.”
Survival tactics
After lunch, the recruits began the DNR Law Enforcement Division’s 14-week-long survival tactics program, which will encompass 90 hours of instruction, hands-on training and participation in scenario training.
 Instructed by DNR lead survival tactics instructor Cpl. Steve Martin, recruits will first learn how to verbally de-escalate and defuse situations. They also will utilize the force continuum – an approach that helps officers learn how to carefully but quickly evaluate situations, respond with appropriate actions, and adapt as needed.
“A survival mindset will enhance an officer’s ability to recognize danger, survive confrontations, and prevail over assailants,” said Sgt. Wicklund. “Officers’ extensive training gives them the best opportunity to both skillfully protect Michigan’s citizens and resources and remain safe every day in the field.”
Prisoner care and treatment and victims’ rights were covered Wednesday morning.
Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, recruits moved to the gym to continue survival tactics training, learning physical control techniques and tactical skills.
Putting public safety first
Recruits headed back to the classroom that afternoon to learn civil disorder procedures with Michigan State Police Lt. Carl Rothenberger. The Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) requires all Michigan law enforcement officers to receive eight hours of training in civil disorder procedures and techniques.
“This training allows conservation officers to respond to, support and supplement other law enforcement agencies throughout Michigan during unlawful civil disturbance incidents,” said 1st Lt. Steve Burton, supervisor in the DNR Law Enforcement Division. ”An appropriate and well-coordinated response by police agencies in conjunction with the communities they serve will assist in returning safety to the public.”
Exploring the RAP Room
 Thursday evening, the recruits took a field trip to the DNR RAP (Report All Poaching) Room, a secured room located in Constitution Hall in the state government building complex in Lansing. Conservation officers throughout the state routinely have contact with the RAP Room, which receives reports and tips on poaching and other illegal activities. The RAP Room is a lifeline for officers patrolling remote areas of Michigan, often participating in critical search and rescue operations involving lost children, hunters or imperiled boaters.
The room is staffed 24/7 with as many as seven personnel at a time, and annually receives roughly 6,500 criminal complaints by phone call or the Internet. Read more about the inner workings of the RAP Room.
Recruits spent several hours observing the program’s dedicated operators and the detailed processes used to gather and distribute critical information.
Practicing techniques
As recruits entered the gym at 8 a.m. Friday they were issued riot gear. It was time to practice the riot control techniques they’d learned in the classroom the day prior.
 Following afternoon new-employee orientation and exam reviews, the recruits were dismissed for the weekend.
Subscribe to the weekly conservation officer academy blog, which will also be posted weekly on the Michigan DNR Facebook page. View past blogs from Recruit School No. 7.
/Photo details: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
SPEAR technique.jpg: Recruits practice the SPEAR (Spontaneous, Protection, Enabling, Accelerated Response) technique during survival tactics training. This technique teaches recruits to use the body’s natural reaction as a defensive tool.
RAP Room.jpg: RAP (Report All Poaching) Room dispatcher Jill Behnke goes over the dispatching capabilities and programs available to conservation officers.
Survival tactics training.jpg: Michigan State Police Sgt. Michael Harvitt instructs the recruits on formations and small squad tactics. This involves taking a large group and deploying them into several smaller groups for strategic and logistical reasons. The exercise taught recruits how to effectively communicate and work as a team./
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
|
