Search Engines

Course Prepares Wildlife Officers

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Photo by Lisa Hasman

Subdued — Cadet Theresa Brown completes a search of Cpl. Chuck Willis as Cadet J. Thomas watches at the AGFC law enforcement training camp in Mayflower. Brown will relocate to Star City in Lincoln County after training.

   Eighteen wildlife officer cadets attended a Feb. 22 class on vehicle approach, search and seize at a training camp in Mayflower, Ark.

   Sixteen male and two female cadets from several Arkansas counties are participating in a 20 week course with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in law enforcement training at the H.C. "Red" Morris Enforcement Training Center in Mayflower.

   Wednesday's class topic included officer safety procedures, stop and approach of vehicle, search of person and search of vehicle.

   The purpose of this class is to help the officers become aware of the proper procedures and safety precautions when approaching subjects out in the field.

   Part of the cadet training included exercises that involved the cadet and instructors actually performing search and arrest techniques as well as weapons identification and recovery.

   Cadets learned to identify weapons on the street while searching both person and vehicle.

   Weapons are defined in the law enforcement guidebook as "an instrument of any kind used for fighting or injuring another person."

   Lt. Rick Emery of Poinsette County explained to cadets that convicted felons in prison have nothing better to do than to eat, sleep and think up ways to hurt law enforcement officers.

   "Wildlife officers have the most dangerous job in law enforcement because every suspect that we come in contact with has a weapon," said Corporal Chuck Willis of Desha county, "This job ain't just riding around checking fishing licenses, looking cool and riding ATV's. This job can get you killed!"

   Wildlife officers have jurisdiction throughout the entire state of Arkansas and in some instances, they may even have jurisdiction in each of the six neighboring states, according to Willis.

   "There is no distinction between a police officer and a wildlife officer when it is your life at stake," Willis said.

   Emery, a veteran of 29 years who previously worked in Dallas and Lincoln counties, said that there has never been a wildlife officer shot and killed in the line of duty in Arkansas,

   Search of person and vehicle is an important element in officer training and must be conducted efficiently and thoroughly. Emery stressed to cadets that searches can take up a lot of their time and many suspects will become impatient and irate.

   "It is for your protection and not their convenience that we conduct searches," he said.

   Emery and Willis, a 24-year veteran, both expressed great concern about officers not spending enough time to thoroughly conduct a productive search, especially in the groin area where many officers often feel uncomfortable about performing. In regard to male officers not wanting to touch male suspects in that manner, "Macho will get you killed quick!" Emery said.

Photo by Lisa Hasman

Subdued — Lt. Rick Emery provides pointers as Cadet Keith Cardin subdues Cpl. Chuck Willis. Cardin will work in Lake Village in Chicot County after the 20-week training session.

   Classes begin at 8 a.m., break for meals at noon and 5 p.m., and end at 10 p.m. Monday through Friday. The new cadets will remain at the training center until their 20-week course has expired and they graduate.

   Two and three weeks into their training, each cadet received a truck, gun, ammo and uniforms. They are also assigned a county to report to upon graduation.

   Once the cadet completes the course and graduates, he will be issued a boat, ATV and cell phone with the expectation that he will complete at least one year of service in the county to which he is assigned.

   In addition to being housed at the training center for the 20-week duration, the cadets receive three hot meals a day in the mess hall and weekend leaves.

   Above the juice machine in the mess hall a sign reads "Wildlife officers are at their best when situations are at their worst."

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