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Training Academy #13 blog

Weeks 4: More than fish and game

Jan. 26-30: In the classroom, recruits learn about sensitive general criminal topics, including crimes against persons, domestic violence and sexual assault. As licensed law enforcement officers, COs must be prepared to properly handle these complex situations. Meanwhile, back in the gym, academy staff continue to push recruits with basic physical training exercises and send recruits “deep diving” in the tank.
Week four

Weeks 1-3: Routine

Jan. 5-23: The first few weeks of the training academy are all about routine, discipline and learning how to respond under pressure – a skill set COs will use during their entire career. 
Weeks 1-3

Training Academy #12 Blog

Week one: Building bonds

Sept. 5-9: Twelve officers from law enforcement agencies throughout the state begin their 10-week fish, game and recreational safety, education and enforcement training. These individuals come to the DNR as established law enforcement officers who made the career change to become conservation officers.
Week one

Week two: Waterfowl school

Sept. 11-15: The 12 probationary conservation officers from Training Academy #12 team up with Training Academy #11 at the Bay City State Park Recreation Center to learn the tips and tricks of everything waterfowl.
Week two

Week three: Firearm training

Sept. 18-21: Even with several years of law enforcement and firearm experience, the probationary COs were still excited to learn new rifle, shotgun and sidearm techniques and skills.
Week three

Week four: Trapping school

Sept. 24-29: PCOs were excited to spend the week in the Houghton Lake area for trapping school. One of the week's highlights included learning coyote and bobcat specifics from a world-renowned wildlife biologist and trapper.
Week four

Week five: Survival tactics and first aid

Oct. 2-6: Training Academy #12 gains confidence during survival tactics and first aid training to not only help others, but to also save themselves. Week 5 included intense scenarios but was described as "the most beneficial medical training that I received." 
Week five

Week six: Big and small game, wildlife necropsies and more

Oct. 9-14: Probationary COs became certified hunter safety education instructors, had the chance to hit the skid track with their patrol trucks, were humbled by the history of those who came before and learned much more on their journey to complete Training Academy #12.
Week six

Week seven: Water safety

Oct. 15-20: Two intense scenarios and the well-known ice bath were highlights of water safety week. With varying water abilities, probationary COs learned basic water skills, then expanded on each technique to build confidence in the water.
Week sevens

Week eight: Fish identification

Oct. 23-27: Things get a bit “fishy” during Week 8 of the Conservation Officer Training Academy #12. This week’s author, from Plainwell, Michigan, describes all the fish identification and enforcement activities he and the other officers experienced. 
Week eight

Week nine Search and rescue and ORV patrols

Oct. 29-Nov. 3: Training Academy #12 ventured onto public land in Roscommon County for search and rescue and off-road vehicle training. Read about the search and rescue tactics, making a fire with minimal supplies and the twists and turns of ORV training.
 
Week nine

Week ten: Graduation

Nov. 6-9: The final week of Training Academy #12 had finally arrived! But before the 12 probationary COs could walk across the graduation stage, they had to face the pressure of one last, physical test.
Week ten