Conservation officers receive certification

  • Published
  • By Lois Walsh
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Two Eglin civilians got a rare opportunity for advanced training that will benefit the base on many levels. 

Jamie Leaf and Brad Yost, 96th Security Forces conservation officers, joined Capt. Joel Byrd and Jackson Guard's Justin Johnson as graduates of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. The center, located in Glynco, Ga., is a partnership of federal law enforcement organizations to provide training for law enforcement professionals from more than 80 federal agencies. It is the largest law enforcement training operation throughout the country. 

Both Capt. Byrd and Officer Johnson graduated in 1998 and it's training that has held them in good stead. Even though Capt. Byrd has transitioned into a supervisory role, he recognizes the importance of the 18-week course. 

"It's training we don't normally get," Capt. Byrd said. "Most personnel attached to the Department of the Air Force Police are retired military or from the civilian sector. Very few officers have a wildlife background, and this course teaches the environmental part of protecting resources." 

Both Officer Leaf and Officer Yost are prior military and were hired on with Eglin's Range Patrol. They were anxious to attend the course. 

"It's outstanding training," Officer Yost said. "It's a career advancement opportunity and a chance to obtain federal certification." 

"We have criminals that are more advanced now, and having an edge certainly helps out," Officer Leaf said. "Based on the training we did receive, we learned of the latest technology that is being used by insurgents to monitoring base operations; it heightens your level of awareness." 

The Department of Defense provided funding for the program and the conservation officers work closely with Jackson Guard employees who Officer Leaf considers "our eyes and ears out on the reservation." That is especially important as the pair identifies everything from commercial dumping on federal property to unearthing marijuana plots. They are assigned to Range Patrol but have more flexibility because their hours are not tied to a specific shift or restricted to a specific zone on the reservation. 

"Whatever we come across, we handle," Officer Yost said. 

The conservation officers interact with all branches of enforcement, from Fish and Wildlife to the Florida Highway Patrol to county and city officers. According to Capt. Robert Bendus, Department of Defense Police Superintendent, the conservation officer's certification puts them on equal footing with other federal law enforcement agencies. 

"They all fall under the same rules, and this is the only system in place that standardizes the management of conservation issues," Capt. Bendus said. "The most important reason we have and need the CLEP program here because of the many archaeological, historical and cultural sites, along with the threatened and endangered species here. These officers work all these issues in an effort to have a working relation with the Eglin mission and to make sure both can coincide together." 

Capt Bendus acknowledges it is difficult for the squadron to give up several officers at one time do attend the training, especially with security forces' heavy deployment tasking. However, he's convinced how important the training is. 

"In fact, we're going to try to send more officers," he said. "They're going to learn to further themselves and it definitely gives them information to pass on to the other officers who haven't attended. It's intense training." 

Both Officers Leaf and Yost understand the significance of now wearing their badge.
"It was a sacrifice for the range patrol and we certainly appreciate it so we can attend to the conservation issues on Eglin's reservation," Officer Yost concluded.