After-Training Debrief

Auxiliary members of central Arizona’s Division 10, District 11-SR, recently assisted and supported the Arizona Fish & Game Department’s annual Boating Officer Training School. This training school is a nationally recognized, one-of-a-kind boating officer school that attracts law enforcement officers from throughout the United States, from as far away from Arizona as Alaska and Washington, D.C.

Thirty students attended this year’s class. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) conduct this class each spring at Lake Pleasant, located 40 miles north of Phoenix, Arizona. Members of Division 10 regularly patrol Lake Pleasant; a part of their area of responsibility.

Division 10 vessel facilities and personnel have supported this water training school for the last several years. This year, participation involved eighteen Auxiliarists and six vessels.

The AZGFD use our facilities and personnel to determine, initiate and maintain marine security zones around the various boat handling and maneuvering courses. Boating officer students take turns running their vessels through these courses.

To aid in the training, the school utilizes Auxiliary personnel, along with school instructors, as “actors” in simulated situations concerning boating under the influence (BUI) scenarios, and other law enforcement situations.

On the second day of training, during the “hands-on” events, Auxiliarists and their vessels initiate and maintain security zones for the school’s live-fire exercises. These live-fire exercises provide training for the boating officer students in situations where they would be firing weapons from vessels underway at targets on shore.

The Auxiliary also helps by shuttling the students of the school between the main “Agency Dock” and the live-fire staging areas. The Department conducts these training events about a mile away, in a remote area across the lake.

Division 10’s involvement with this school is a great way for the members of the six flotillas of our Division to work together as a team with various State and National Agency members. It also provides a great experience for our members, to work with professionals outside of the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. Namely, in support of the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s boating officer training programs. The cooperation and respect between our two agencies is the bond that helps make the school a success. We look forward to helping them and supporting them again next year.