Surprise wake-up call
Week 6: Feb. 7-13
At the beginning of week six, 22 recruits reported back to tackle five more days of training, this time focusing on patrol area checks, alcohol enforcement, contraband crimes and much more. The week also included their first night training scenario.
Patrolling
 After their 6 a.m. physical training, 15-minute breakfast and a thorough room inspection, the recruits – two women and 20 men – marched into the classroom to begin morning training on patrol area checks, instructed by Conservation Officer (CO) Jeff Goss. Recruits learned about the many patrol vehicles available for use in addition to trucks, including boats, snowmobiles, jet skis, canoes, kayaks, dirt bikes and others. They learned what vehicle best suits each patrol situation, and why it’s important, at times, to just leave their mode of transportation and walk into an area.
Alcohol enforcement
Michigan State Police (MSP) Sgt. Perry Curtis instructed the recruits that afternoon on alcohol enforcement, a mandatory Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) class. The recruits received this training every afternoon through Thursday. By the end of the training period, recruits understood laws on alcohol, why they were enacted, how they are enforced and how to properly conduct a sobriety test. During the multiday class, they went page by page through their 300-page alcohol enforcement training books.
“Because conservation officers are fully commissioned peace officers, they go through the same rigorous MCOLES academy training as other law enforcement officers, including Michigan State Police, in addition to their conservation law training,” said Sgt. Jason Wicklund, recruit school commander. “They have the training and authority to respond to all kinds of situations, including drivers under the influence of alcohol.”
Terrorism awareness
Tuesday morning, after reviewing the edits to their past week’s reports, the men and women received terrorism awareness training, instructed by MSP Detective Sgt. Lawrence Dyksterhouse. The focus was criminal activities by sovereign citizens – individuals believing that the government is operating outside of its jurisdiction and so do not recognize federal, state or local laws, policies and governmental regulations.
Lights out … and then back on
It’s lights out at 10 each night. However, the recruits didn’t get much shuteye before they were awakened by recruit school staff Tuesday night. Each recruit was handed a sheet of paper detailing a complaint and equipment they needed to bring in order to address the complaint.
 They headed downstairs to the classroom and then, one at a time, were dispatched from the room and led outside to the nearby training drive track. Here, they entered a conservation officer patrol truck for the first time, learned how to use equipment inside the truck and responded to the complaint.
During the scenario, there was a vehicle reported in a state recreation area after-hours. Each recruit made contact with the individual, who had numerous motor vehicle code violations. Recruits each advised the individual of the law and took down his personal information, including why he was there. As it turned out, his tree stand had been stolen and he was searching for it. He had the name of a possible suspect. Later in the week, they would write a report based on the scenario.
Recruits were dismissed at 12:30 a.m., and headed back to their rooms to get some sleep.
Crimes training
Despite the late night, it was back up at 5 a.m. Wednesday. That morning, they concentrated on crimes against property and contraband and regulatory crimes, both sessions instructed by David Greydanus, retired Michigan State Police inspector.
Walking the line
The entirety of Thursday involved alcohol enforcement training. Recruits conducted scenario-based alcohol level testing, including use of devices to test blood alcohol levels and sobriety tests. That evening, recruits took their second law-based exam of the academy.
 “Because conservation officers, in many cases, are asked to demonstrate the sobriety test in court, they must be able to know how to conduct it and explain it,” Sgt. Wicklund said. “During class, they practice it over and over again until they know it by heart.”
Civil disputes
Friday morning was packed with classroom training, including contraband and regulatory crimes, civil processes and civil disputes, all instructed by CO Troy VanGelderen. Recruits learned about warrants and how to properly handle each detail associated with it, as well as steps to take to satisfactorily complete the civil process.
Conservation officers routinely respond to civil disputes at state campgrounds and on state forest land. This can involve two people claiming to have shot the same deer or to own the same item found on state-managed land.
“In cases like this, we’re there to keep the peace,” Wicklund said. “They aren’t violating the law but are engaging in a dispute.”
When this happens and ownership can’t be established, conservation officers advise individuals to resolve the issue through civil court.
After exam review, recruits were dismissed for the long Presidents Day holiday weekend and told to report back to the academy Monday evening.
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.
Chow.jpg: Recruits line up at their table, ready to eat lunch in the cafeteria of the Michigan State Police training facility.
Night training scenario.jpg: Recruits experienced their first nighttime training scenario, involving a traffic stop in a simulated recreation area.
Alcohol sobriety test.jpg: Recruits practiced giving alcohol sobriety tests during classroom instruction./
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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