VIP guests give conservation officer recruits a chance to shine
Week 7: Aug. 27–Sept. 2, 2017
It’s already nerve-wracking for young recruits to get eyeballed from head to toe by uncompromising instructors during daily inspections. Imagine when they were told to expect a visit from the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division chief, as well as the assistant chief, who oversee all conservation officers. And that they will be  joined by the director of the entire DNR. Oh, by the way – Michigan’s governor is coming, too.
No pressure, right?
Inspections are a way of life in Conservation Officer Recruit School. But Week 7 was about more than spit and polish. It was a chance for recruits to showcase the discipline and skills they have developed for their VIP guests, as this brief video shows. Before that opportunity arrived later in the week, though, there was still plenty of typical classroom work and field training that demanded the class’s attention.
Upon becoming conservation officers, they will need to be proficient in general law enforcement skills such as how to help ensure order during a civil disturbance, the safest way to apprehend felons during a traffic stop, and interview techniques. Week 7 training primarily focused on these critical tactics, leaving recruits precious little time to prepare for the arrival of their distinguished guests.
Keeping the peace
Monday morning’s physical training brought recruits back to the “tank” – or swimming pool – where they continued developing their comfort level around water. Conservation officers are on or around water virtually every day due to the nature of their work.
Once in the classroom, recruits had the benefit of hearing from 1st Lt. Brody Boucher of the Michigan State Police, whose topic was “Control of Civil Disorder.” A seasoned veteran with fascinating stories to share, Boucher emphasized the “human element” involved in situations such as civil unrest. While he provided an overview of large-scale scenes in which multiple law enforcement agencies are responsible for crowd control and public safety, he stressed the importance of speaking and interacting with individuals on a personal basis before disorder even occurs. “It is important to develop relationships within the community you serve. This should be a priority,” Lt. Boucher said.
The afternoon was capped off with lessons in report writing by Cpl. Patrick McManus, assistant Recruit School commander. It was an opportunity for recruits to continue honing their skills as they pertain to fish and game identification, history and laws.
Apprehending a felon
The following day kicked off with a course on responding to crimes in progress, led by Michigan State Police Trooper Erica Somers. She walked the class through numerous techniques on how to respond to different scenes, including domestic violence calls.
The day may come when these recruits need to apprehend a dangerous felon, and it was Conservation Officer Shane Webster’s job to make sure they are ready. Webster guided them as they practiced stopping vehicles participating in the scenario, issuing verbal commands to drivers and passengers, and making arrests. “It is not uncommon for a  conservation officer to conduct a felony traffic stop,” he said. “These stops often are in the middle of nowhere with little to no backup. Recruits must understand that they might be the only officer who will complete this scene from start to finish.”
Support from the top
Then came Wednesday. It was one of the Recruit School’s biggest days as Gov. Rick Snyder, DNR Director Keith Creagh, DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler and Assistant Chief Dean Molnar visited the academy to encourage recruits and thank the instructors. The governor applauded recruits for their passion to protect Michigan’s families and natural resources.
“The job of a conservation officer is challenging because they have a unique role within Michigan’s law enforcement community,” Snyder said. “Whether it’s protecting our natural resources or serving as first responders, conservation officers are vital to the safety of our residents and the well-being of our state.”
The special guests offered supportive comments to recruits and observed as they practiced gathering evidence in a simulated scene to determine whether a deer was illegally killed. After the practice session, the guests took time to  join in group photos that will provide recruits and instructors with mementos of the occasion.
Sharing a bond
Thursday covered topics such as investigating child abuse and neglect, and suspect identification procedures.
It was Friday, though, that recruits learned one of the most valuable lessons of all. The lesson? That once you’re a Michigan conservation officer, you’re always a Michigan conservation officer. Recruits had the privilege of finding that out firsthand when eight retired conservation officers joined Cpl. McManus for his “Preliminary Witness Interviewing” class.
The objective was simple: Each recruit interviewed a retiree about his or her life as a conservation officer. Despite the 45-minute time limit per group, it was clear that neither the interviewers nor interviewees wanted to stop talking. “You could see it was a treat for both recruits and retirees,” Cpl. McManus said. “My goal was to bridge the gap between the generations in more ways than one.”
 One retiree traveled more than 450 miles from the western Upper Peninsula just to be part of the group. “That says a lot about the family we are,” Cpl. McManus said. “It’s something that continues even after we’re retired.”
Week 7 was a milestone for recruits. By the time they left for their long Labor Day weekend, they had the satisfaction of knowing some very important things. First, there’s nothing they can’t do if they pull together, as they did Tuesday night when preparing for the governor’s visit. Second, they are fortunate to have a governor, director, chief and assistant chief who believe in them and want them to succeed. And finally, once they become conservation officers, they will be part of a team that will have their backs for the rest of their lives.
Not a bad way to end the week.
Subscribe to the weekly conservation officer academy blog, which also will be posted on the Michigan DNR Facebook page. View previous blogs from Recruit School #8.
/Note to editors: Accompanying photos are available below for download. Caption information follows.
Felony_arrest: Conservation officers never know when they might have to arrest dangerous felons. Instructors devoted considerable time in Week 7 to teaching recruits how to safely conduct traffic stops involving convicted felons. Recruits use plastic, non-firing training weapons.
Providing_cover: A recruit uses a non-firing training weapon as he practices the proper way to protect his partner during a scenario depicting the arrest of a felon.
Exiting_a_vehicle: A law enforcement officer’s mistake when apprehending a dangerous felon can lead to tragedy. Pictured, conservation officer recruits learn correct procedures for instructing suspects and passengers to exit their vehicles.
Governor’s_inspection: Gov. Rick Snyder observes a training exercise involving a deer decoy during his visit to the conservation officer recruit academy. While addressing the class, the governor emphasized the unique role that conservation officers have in Michigan, and commended recruits and current conservation officers for their commitment to the protection of the state’s natural resources and citizens.
Observing_training: Recruits analyze evidence during a training exercise as Gov. Rick Snyder, DNR Director Keith Creagh, far left, and DNR Law Enforcement Division Chief Gary Hagler, far right, look on. Supervising the instruction are Conservation Officer Shannon Kritz and Sgt. Jason Wicklund, Recruit School commander.
Sharing_a_bond: Retired Conservation Officer Robert “Bob” Smith of Big Rapids shares his career experiences with a recruit. Smith was one of eight retired conservation officers who traveled to the academy to take part in an interviewing techniques class, proving that the pride in being a conservation officer doesn’t end when the career is over./
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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