By Nigel Maxwell

Candle Lake first in Sask. to offer conservation officer course

Sep 10, 2015 | 12:12 PM

Conservation officer recruits from across western Canada have gathered at Candle Lake Golf Resort.

They will be there for the next 16 weeks, taking part in the Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy.  This year marks the first time the academy has been offered in Saskatchewan.

“The reason Candle Lake was chosen was because the facility here worked really well. We have the lakes, and so we can have the boating course and we can also teach the ATV stuff,” said Sgt. Rich Hildebrand.

Hildebrand will be one of the course instructors, teaching the emergency vehicles operator’s course, among others.

Over the past few years, the program was offered in Hinton, Alta.

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Peter Schulz, another training instructor, is originally from Prince Albert.

“I am here to ensure that all the different course training standards are met and delivered so that our officers, when they leave, are fully functional, that they are able to represent their different agencies and be able to conduct their business as public servants in the most professional, most courteous manner with regard to all the safety factors due to the high risk nature of the job,” said Schultz.

All things considered, Schulz said his main goal and concern is to make sure all the recruits graduate.

“It’s a beginning for them, and they will understand that,” he said. “They will continually strive to learn and be better.”

Since 2007, 44 Saskatchewan conservation officers have been trained at the academy.

There are 26 recruits enrolled this year –seven are from Saskatchewan, including Geoff Peet who is originally from Tisdale.

“It’s stuff that I have enjoyed doing all my life, I’ve wanted to become a conservation officer for a number of years now,” said Peet. “When I attended school in Prince Albert I was able to become a seasonal officer in the province of Saskatchewan and now I am just looking forward to continuing my career into full time status.”

Tynan Thurmer is from Whitehorse, Yukon, and this is his first time in Saskatchewan.

“I remember when I was quite young, seeing conservation officers in the field and I thought to myself that would be great because I grew up in the outdoors,” said Thurmer.

Sask. Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson was at Candle Lake on Thursday to deliver opening remarks on behalf of the province.

Provincial and territorial agencies each contributed funds to cover the cost of running the academy.  The total cost of the program over two years is $460,000.

– with files from Sarah Rolles

nmaxwell@panow.com

Follow on Twitter: @nigelmaxwell