| This bill proposes to increase the level of enforcement |
| training for Department of Conservation, Bureau of Parks and |
| Lands rangers and staff as a means to improve visitor |
| supervision and increase protection of Maine's recreation |
| areas and members of the public that use them from illegal |
| behavior. The bill would require the bureau to annually train |
| its field staff in law enforcement practices sufficient to |
| police public lands and issue arrest warrants for infractions |
| of state law. Training should meet appropriate standards, and |
| refresher training and continuing education in enforcement |
| should be provided annually to all qualified staff. The bill |
| would require an annual report to the Legislature describing |
| the type of training offered, including the number of |
| participants in the training program. The impact of such |
| training on the effectiveness of staff working with the public |
| on public lands should be assessed and included as part of the |
| report, along with recommendations for revisions in the |
| training program. |
