The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) recently announced that its 30-member team of Rangers—the District’s in-house law enforcement agency— achieved full compliance from the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Agency, the state’s standards-setting and certification authority for law enforcement agencies. MWCD received final recertification for group one standards, which include use of force, recruitment, and hiring; group two standards, which include community engagement and body-worn cameras; and group four standards, which include vehicular pursuits.
The MWCD ranger department will continue to pursue certification for group three.
“MWCD Rangers are sworn peace officers, and they work countless hours ensuring our guests can enjoy our lakes. We also partner with the law enforcement agencies in our neighboring communities when extra support is needed,” said Chief Patrick Brockmeier, MWCD Chief Ranger. “Certification by the Collaborative is not easy to achieve, but it helps ensure that MWCD Rangers meet high standards of professionalism and have the training they need to manage complex situations according to best practices and with safety and service first in mind. We have already received Certification in several other key areas and our advanced vehicle training certification only adds to our capabilities. I am proud of our team for this accomplishment and proud of what it means for the communities and guests we serve.”
The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board was formed in 2015 in an effort to strengthen community and police relations. The 12-person panel is composed of law enforcement experts and community leaders from throughout the state.
MWCD Rangers are required to be certified police officers within the State of Ohio and have full police powers on MWCD property and adjacent property. To become a certified Police Officer, they must graduate from the Ohio Police Officer Training Academy and complete training on Ohio Laws, Search and Seizure, Self Defense Training, Use of Force Training, Firearms, Pursuit Driving, Human Behaviors, De-escalation Techniques, Diversity, First Aid, and numerous other topics. The MWCD employs 34 Rangers who are guided by professional policies that are written by Lexipol and are nationally recognized as Best Practices for Law enforcement Agencies.
The job duties for a MWCD Ranger can vary daily from patrolling camp areas, cottage areas, and lakes, to providing Ohio Boater or Hunter Education Courses to the community. They also conduct safety checks, respond to noise complaints, criminal violations, and assist other nearby agencies. Lake Rangers complete vessel inspections, investigate boating accidents, and patrol the waterways to ensure safety.
“I am very proud of the MWCD Ranger Department for this accomplishment and the overall professionalism they bring to the job,” said Craig Butler, MWCD Executive Director. “Throughout the year, our Rangers receive many hours of education and training to ensure that we are adopting the most up to date policing standards, and this additional certification further validates the efforts we have made. We strive to develop relationships within our communities to ensure a safe atmosphere within our parks, cottage areas, and beyond.”
