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Monday morning started with door-to-door physical training, followed by room inspections and chow. We qualified with our pistols for Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards shooting qualifications at the 7-, 10- and 15-yard lines, as well as shooting in low lighting.
Photo caption: Recruits had to care for a partner who was “shot” during a simunition scenario. Simunition scenarios include realistic, non-lethal rounds. Recruits are supposed to engage and neutralize the threat, handcuff and search the suspect, secure any weapons, and then provide medical care to themselves, their partner and the suspect.
Next we had a classroom lesson about auto theft, instructed by retired Michigan State Police Trooper Kyle McPhee, followed by a scenario involving hunter harassment by a neighbor. This simulation scenario pushed me past my comfort zone, allowing me to learn how to care for a “shot” fellow officer while still under fire. The scenario included rounds of simunition (realistic, nonlethal ammunition) and focused on gaining control of the subject to ensure the scene is safe. One of the most important topics we have been focusing on lately is officer safety, and this scenario really drove that home. As a recruit who has never experienced any of these situations, sometimes I leave the scenarios frustrated. I have to remind myself that scenarios are learning experiences. The mistakes I made during the scenarios are ones I won’t make in the field because I’ve had the opportunity to learn from the scenarios.
Photo caption: During week 19, recruits were taught how to conduct Standardized Field Sobriety Tests including the legalities around them. As state law enforcement officers, conservation officers conduct stops if they suspect a driver is operating an automobile, off-road vehicle or boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
We began Tuesday with circuit training in the gym, followed by normal room inspections and chow. Room inspections are used as a time for instructors to test our knowledge on heavy conservation law questions to help keep our knowledge current. The normal morning routine was followed by classes based on Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, taught by Michigan State Police Troopers Kevin Lee and Sgt. Scott Tuttle. We learned about the history of alcohol, how it metabolizes in the body, how it effects everyone differently, and how it impairs you enough to affect driving and bodily functions. We also learned how to conduct field sobriety tests and how to determine if someone is impaired or not.
Tuesday was also an important day for the DNR because it was opening day for firearm deer season –probably one of the most, if not the busiest day of the year. During our breaks, we were allowed to listen to the conservation officer radio traffic throughout the state, in hopes that we will get to experience this day in the field in the future.
Despite 19 consecutive weeks, physical training always comes early in the morning. Not being much of a morning person myself, it’s always hard to wake up and go straight into physical training. But when it’s fun, things are a bit easier. This morning’s physical training consisted of a competition involving two teams and cones, which the instructors like to call “bait piles.” This was followed by the normal chow and inspection. The rest of the day focused on more field sobriety testing with the MSP instructors to prepare us for our practical exams the next day. Practical exams are real-life, physical and verbal scenario exams, compared to written exams. Most of the class felt comfortable with the material, but the terminology can be confusing. Our instructors made sure we had plenty of time, practice and knowledge on these specific topics.
Photo caption: The recruit on the left conducts his Standardized Field Sobriety Test practical exam by demonstrating actions that the recruit on the right is supposed to perform.
Mornings we see the tank lights on, it’s usually a good indicator that we are getting in the pool for physical training, and that’s exactly what we did Thursday morning. It was a good, motivating tank workout as we finished every exercise with the number 11, because we are Recruit School #11. After the tank, we finished our field sobriety practical exam. We closed the afternoon with preliminary breath tests (also known as PBT) instructions and demonstrations, so we know how to use the test in the field. We were also taught by Sgt. Blane Bachman about a system called Data Master Transportable, a high-quality chemical tester for people who are arrested for being intoxicated and need an official breath test. Lastly, we took our weekly conservation legal exams, along with our PBT, Data Master Transportable and field sobriety written exams.
Thursday night is our motivational night. Normally, our recruit school commander, Sgt. Jason King, plays some kind of motivational audio over the intercom that helps keep us going and mentally inspires us for Friday and the weeks to come. We always look forward to Thursday nights.
Photo caption: During a visit to the Eaton County Courthouse, one of the recruits took the stand to testify regarding one of the case reports they wrote for a previous scenario. Recruits visited the courthouse to learn about how they should prepare for and act in court. Conservation officers must be prepared to support the citations they issue and the cases they file with the prosecutor’s office.
The week ended well, with weightlifting for physical training. Our instructors told us they have a few weeks left to put muscle on us, so hopefully this is a sign that we will be lifting weights more. The rest of the morning we had open time to deep clean and finish tying up loose ends so we could finish the week strong. After lunch we went to the Eaton County Courthouse to experience testimonies and case critiques, giving us a chance to experience courtroom operations.
All in all, it was a good week, and we grew even closer as a class. We can truly start to see the light at the end of the tunnel – but the academy isn’t over yet and there is still a ton of work to do before we graduate and head out to the field.
