Learning the law
Week four: Jan. 24-30
 Sunday, Jan. 24, started the fourth week for the 23 returning conservation officer recruits. Although they didn’t yet realize it, this would be their final week before training really ramped up. As they stood at attention Sunday evening, week five was far from their minds. They’d first have to make it through some major classroom instruction and testing.
At 6 a.m. Monday, the recruits were lined up and standing at attention – as they do every morning at that early hour – ready to begin another grueling physical training activity.
Legal training
After breakfast and room inspection, the recruits (21 men and two women) marched into the classroom for their first instruction of the week, crimes against persons training by retired Michigan State Police (MSP) Inspector David Greydanus. The recruits learned all legal associations of simple, aggravated and felonious assaults, criminal sexual conduct, homicide and murder.
As fully commissioned peace officers empowered to enforce all Michigan laws, conservation officers often respond to violent crimes. To prepare for all aspects of their job, conservation officers receive the full Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement (MCOLES) standard training required of all Michigan law enforcement officers, including the Michigan State Police.
Fingerprinting
After lunch, recruits were back in the classroom for search and fingerprinting training by live-scan analyst Krystal Howard of the Michigan State Police. The recruits learned how to fingerprint using both the live-scan system and the older ink and roller system. Live scan is an electronic fingerprint submission system that allows law enforcement agencies to electronically submit criminal arrest information.
 “Even though conservation officers will use the live-scan technique while performing their job duties, it’s still important to have a basic understanding of the older ink and roller method of fingerprinting,” said Sgt. Jason Wicklund, recruit school commander.
The Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division policy and procedures training took all of Tuesday. Taught by Capt. Timothy Robson, recruits went through the procedures and rules together.
Dr. Michael Comer, DNR psychologist, was back in the classroom Wednesday morning to assist in developing the recruits’ interpersonal skills while utilizing role-playing scenarios.
Recognizing drug activity
After lunch, recruits were welcomed back to the classroom by a state-certified drug recognition expert. Trooper Greg Primeau of the Michigan State Police volunteered his time to present a class on recognition of dangerous drugs.
“It is certainly an honor to have Trooper Primeau instruct our recruits,” said Sgt. Wicklund. “He is a state-certified expert in drug and alcohol detection who is setting up the building blocks for drug recognition, a vital skill for all of our conservation officers.”
 Sgt. Wicklund said with the increasing incidence of criminals growing, using and selling drugs on state and public forest lands, it’s extremely important for conservation officers to look for and recognize signs of illegal activity, understand the types of behavior associated with drug activity, and respond appropriately to these dangerous threats.
Mastering reports
The recruits spent several hours both Wednesday and Thursday working on improving their report-writing skills. During week three, they had viewed a short video depicting a tree stand theft. Their report was based on that incident. On Wednesday, they went over their edited reports, correcting and perfecting them. The following day, they watched another video involving several suspects in an illegal conservation-related activity.
As the weeks progress, additional layers of complexity will be added to the incidents in these videos, requiring even more detailed reports. Eventually, videos won’t be used at all. The recruits will be immersed in scenario training, and their reports will be written on these incidents after their scenarios are complete.
The recruits also spent time Thursday in the classroom learning the proper ways to deal with juvenile offenders and their families.
Exploring the MSP forensic laboratory
After lunch, recruits had the opportunity to visit an MSP forensic laboratory. One of eight MSP forensic labs in the state, this facility specializes in blood alcohol content, body fluid identification, controlled substances, DNA, firearms, tool marks and ballistic information, latent prints, document examinations, toxicology and trace evidence. MSP Detective Sgt. George Lehman gave the recruits a tour of the lab, focusing on lab capabilities and the procedures to utilize its technologies.
 Crimes against persons training was again the focal point Friday, followed by review of the legal exam taken the prior evening.
Continued learning
Before they were released for the weekend, the recruits received instruction from Sgt. Wicklund on enrolling in and completing the DNR modules through the Michigan State University distance learning program. All Michigan conservation officers are required to complete several conservation-related online modules every year, with new modules offered annually. Before graduation, the recruits will complete the Time of Death Module – determining time of death of animals, and the Chain of Custody Module – reinforcing correct evidence collection procedures.
Friday afternoon, the recruits were dismissed for the weekend, ready to return two days later for the next challenging week ahead.
Subscribe to the weekly conservation officer academy blog, which also is 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.
Physical training.jpg: During 6 a.m. physical training Friday, recruits flipped tires and carried canoes filled with sandbags, among many other grueling activities.
Instruction.jpg: Retired Michigan State Police Inspector David Greydanus instructs recruits during crimes against persons training.
Scenario house.jpg: Retired MSP Inspector David Greydanus runs through legal scenarios during crimes against persons instruction at the “scenario house,” which is used for law enforcement training scenarios.
Forensic laboratory.jpg: Recruits visited the Michigan State Police Lansing Forensic Laboratory Thursday afternoon./
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.
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