The drive to succeed
Week 14: April 3-9
Dynamics changed for the 18 recruits returning to the conservation officer academy for the start of week 14. This week, recruits would spend more time behind the wheel and less in the classroom. The stakes were high. To continue in the academy, they needed to pass all driving exercises taking place throughout the week – and these weren’t your typical drivers’ training exercises.
The drills included evasive driving, precision maneuvers, skid control, controlled braking and much more during the required Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) emergency vehicle operations training week on the Michigan State Police (MSP) drive track located near the MSP training facility.
The 40-hour course is completed by all Michigan law enforcement officers, including conservation officers who complete the 22-week academy and an additional 18 weeks of field training.
“Vehicle accidents are the second leading cause of death for law enforcement officers,” said Conservation Officer (CO) Troy Van Gelderen, recruit school staff member. “It’s extremely important for officers to know how to properly handle a vehicle in all weather conditions and through all possible situations.”
Evasive driving
After a Monday morning defensive driving lecture, which instructed recruits on how to evasively maneuver their vehicle, recruits headed out to the MSP drive track. Throughout the week, they would be driving MCOLES pursuit-rated Dodge Charger MSP police cruisers.
With a line of cones set up for serpentine exercises, recruits practiced and were tested on evasive driving, controlled braking and precision maneuvers.
Importance of maintenance
Tuesday morning began with classroom instruction on turning, vehicle dynamics (including vehicle weight distribution and center of gravity), vehicle performance and maintenance.
“Recruits learned about general vehicle maintenance and the importance of keeping vehicles in good working order. Their lives may depend on it,” CO Van Gelderen said. “This includes keeping proper air pressure in the tires, which is very important should they need to pursue another vehicle.”
 The recruits finished up Tuesday morning with classroom instruction on skid control.
Coming out of a skid
After lunch, it was back on the track. Portions of the track were wetted down with a sprinkler, and instructors turned off the anti-lock braking system (ABS) in the vehicles. The recruits, one at a time, and always with an MCOLES-certified driving instructor (who are also conservation officers) in the vehicle with them, began the exercise. As the recruits drove down the track, the instructor locked up the brakes, causing the vehicle to go into a skid. Recruits needed to control the skid without over-correcting and get the car back under control.
Wednesday morning began with classroom instruction on civil liabilities. Recruits learned the rules of when they can and can’t use excessive speeds, using lights and sirens, and the liabilities of not properly and completely adhering to these rules.
 Performance driving
Recruits took to the track late morning, spending the duration of the day mastering performance driving. They were given one minute and 12 seconds to make it one lap around the track, measuring 0.88 of a mile. Driving at speeds of up to 80 mph, recruits had to hit the curves just right to make the time.
They also practiced more performance driving and skid- control techniques.
Thursday morning was unique – free time! Because they would work long into the night, participating in a night driving scenario, recruits experienced free time at the beginning of the day rather than the evening. However, their free time was spent studying for the written test they would have to pass Friday.
After lunch, they were back on the track. They were tested on performance driving, which they’d practiced the day before. To remain in the academy, they needed to successfully complete the exercise three out of four times.
Driving trucks
Because trucks driven by conservation officers – necessary for their line of work – aren’t MCOLES pursuit-rated, they aren’t used on the MSP drive track. However, because they are often the vehicles used by conservation officers in pursuits, recruits spent the evening learning the differences in maneuverability between the cars they were driving and the trucks they will be driving.
“The biggest differences the recruits noticed with the trucks were the turning radius and the higher center of gravity,” CO Van Gelderen said.
Night pursuit scenario
After night driving instruction, recruits were back in the MSP vehicles for a night pursuit scenario. Recruits, one at a time, pursued a fleeing vehicle. While doing this, they used the radio to call out their location to a simulated dispatch center. A backup vehicle, driven by another recruit, was also part of the scenario. They had the task of following the chase vehicle for backup should it be needed. Each recruit completed both roles during the scenario, which wrapped up after midnight.
Putting it all together
Early the next morning, recruits completed a written MCOLES-required exam on what they’d learned throughout the week. Afterward, they were back outside for a cumulative skills exercise, driving through a course that contained all the components they had experienced during the week. They were tested on the course, needing to complete it in three minutes and 55 seconds to pass, with one opportunity to retake the test.
After exam review Friday afternoon, recruits were dismissed for the weekend. They needed to rest up for next week, which would be equally as challenging. After all, it's water safety week, which includes immersion into an ice bath, rescuing a simulated drowning victim, and much more.
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.
Classroom.jpg: Conservation Officer John Wenzel instructed recruits on the performance course prior to their practice and testing on the course, which required recruits to drive one lap around the track (going speeds as high as 80 mph) in one minute and 12 seconds or less. One lap measures 0.88 of a mile.
Drive track.jpg: During the skid exercise, the track was wetted down with water. As the recruits drove down the track, the instructor locked up the brakes, causing the vehicle to go into a skid. Recruits needed to control the skid without over-correcting and get the car back under control. Recruits are trained in Michigan State Police cruisers, which are Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) pursuit-rated./
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.
|
