Officers Graduate From First-Ever DOCARE Academy

Six law enforcement officers graduated from the first Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Academy yesterday. The officers, who come from municipal, state, and federal police agencies, received an immersive, six-week training in conservation enforcement under the academy.

Among the graduates was Marcus Figgaroa, who is assigned to Maui, and Brandon Ignacio, who is assigned to Molokaʻi. The other officers, Kaulana Noa, Kaea Sugata, Irwin Keliipuleole, and Brandon McBride, are all assigned to Oʻahu.

This first DOCARE Training Academy is considered a lateral academy, meaning the new officers have previous law enforcement experience. A larger academy for recruits without previous police experience is scheduled for spring 2019.

“DOCARE officers have all of the enforcement authority of officers working for county police departments or other law enforcement agencies,” acting DOCARE enforcement chief Jason Redulla explained. “Given the huge volume of natural and cultural resources law and administrative rules they also need to have knowledge about, we felt it was critical to establish specialized training for the men and women who protect our resources.”

The training included the following sections:

• History of Conservation Enforcement
• Professionalism and Ethics
• Forestry & Wildlife Rules and Issues
• Policy Review
• NOAA Office of Law Enforcement
• Arrest and Control
• Firearms Training
• Conservation & Coastal Lands Rules and Issues
• Historic Preservation Rules and Issues
• Mammals & Protected Species
• Boating & Ocean Recreation Rules and Issues
• Hunter Education
• Fish Identification
• Commercial Fishing Enforcement
• Native Hawaiian Law
• Small Boat Operation
• First Aid and CPR
• Environmental Court
• Police Media Relations
• US Fish & Wildlife Rules and Regulations

The full academy for recruits without previous law enforcement experience will include the specialized conservation enforcement training as well as basic police officer training.

“We are proud and excited to have these six officers join DOCARE’s ranks,” DLNR Chair Suzanne Case said. “We felt there was a critical need for DOCARE to establish its own training academy since conservation officers have to be well versed not only in basic law enforcement but in protection and enforcement of a myriad of environmental and resources law.”