EL DORADO — Two new officers soon will be patrolling the woods and waters of Union County, protecting the natural resources of Arkansas and keeping outdoors enthusiasts safe.
Brady Garner and Justin Myers were among 12 officers who graduated from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s training program on Sept. 23.
The process to become wildlife officers began in June when Garner and Myers were selected from several hundred applicants to participate in the AGFC’s wildlife officer training program.
All applicants chosen were required to have a minimum of a four-year college degree, four years of full-time law enforcement, four years military law enforcement, or a combination of those criteria.
During their 16-week training, the two officers spent most of their waking hours at the H.C. “Red” Morris Training Center east of Mayflower on Lake Conway. They received 740 hours of training in self-defense, firearms, first aid and rescue, drug enforcement, physical conditioning, criminal law and wildlife code enforcement.
“In Arkansas, wildlife officers are certified law enforcement, so we cover both state law as well as wildlife law,” said Major Jason Parker. “Much of our jobs includes keeping the woods and waters safe, and that requires us to have the authority to make arrests for criminal cases as well as wildlife code violations.”
Captain Russ Carmack directs the cadet-training program, with many AGFC enforcement officers and staff members serving as instructors. Other experts participate in the teaching of specialized topics.