Since Brittany Mueller was a little girl, sheB次元官网网址檚 always had a passion for the great outdoors. For her, pursuing a career as a conservation officer in B.C. is a dream come true.
After three years working in AlbertaB次元官网网址檚 Kananaskis Country, sheB次元官网网址檚 taken a position with B.C.B次元官网网址檚 Ministry of Environment and recently attended the Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy B次元官网网址� basic training program for conservation officers in Western Canada.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really looking forward to the firearms training. WeB次元官网网址檙e learning to handle three types of firearms, and IB次元官网网址檝e never carried a hand gun before,B次元官网网址� Mueller said. B次元官网网址淎s a seasonal employee in Alberta we were only trained on the rifle and shotgun.B次元官网网址�
For the first time, B.C. is hosting future conservation officers at a training academy in Metchosin. Twenty recruits from across western Canada have converged on Canadian Forces base Albert Head to take part in the conservation academy.
This is the fourth delivery of the program, which began in 2007. It ran for three years at the Hinton Training Centre in Alberta before moving to Greater Victoria, said Sgt. Greg Kondas, officer in charge of WCLEA.
Representatives have come from each jurisdiction in western Canada except the Yukon, with 12 recruits coming from B.C., one each from Alberta and Saskatchewan and six from Manitoba for the 16-week training course finishing at the end of March. Each successful graduate is eligible for posting to a community in their home province.
B次元官网网址淎 huge factor of why we decided to have it here was the weather at this time of year,B次元官网网址� Kondas said. B次元官网网址淎lthough lately the weather hasnB次元官网网址檛 been cooperating.B次元官网网址�
Recruits are housed at the Albert Head camp. Some training is done off site, such as firearms practice at the Victoria Fish and Game Protective Association shooting range off the Malahat.
Beginning with firearms, the recruits are trained to the level of a peace officer and beyond, said Jack Herrigan, head instructor for the firearms working group and Manitoba representative on the WCLEA board.
B次元官网网址淥f the three firearms weB次元官网网址檙e instructing, the pistol or hand gun is the one where skills are hardest to acquire,B次元官网网址� he said.
Officers also learn use-of-force defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operation, predator response and problem wildlife response, cross-cultural awareness, ceremonial drill, emergency survival and swift-water rescue techniques.
B次元官网网址淲e are considered a Tier 1 law enforcement agency,B次元官网网址� Kondas said. B次元官网网址淲e hold police powers under the police act and can enforce criminal code legislation, but we are bound by our mandate.B次元官网网址�
Depending on the situation, officers could respond to wildlife interactions such as a bear or cougar mauling or the RCMP could call officers out to investigate poaching, all which requires weapons training, Kondas said.
Our officers also check for compliance for things such as open burning, hunting or fishing, and if they observe a violation, they would ask for identification.
B次元官网网址淚f the person refuses or continues the behaviour, they are arrest-able,B次元官网网址� Kondas said.
To anonymously report known or suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife or environmental protection laws, call the Report All Poachers and Polluters line: 1-877 952-7277
For information on the B.C. Conservation Officer Service, go to: www.env.gov.bc.ca/cos.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
