The Initial Course

3 to 5 days


The professional interviewer fostering public relations

The Professional Interviewer

Conservation officers maintain a special relationship with a complex network of people that is truly unlike any other law enforcement profession. The first day’s instruction is dedicated solely to fostering public relations through many proven rapport building techniques such as body language analysis, self-monitoring personal behavior, an empathetic approach, and discussing the stark differences between an “a” game warden approach and “the” game warden way of handling these special people. Those who can consistently maintain high levels of rapport typically manage their emotions well too. These skills will ultimately play a crucial role in more productive interviews, interrogations, and limiting citizen complaints.

Truth and Lie Detection

Subtle body movements such as touching the face, coughing, sighs, swallowing, rapid eye blinks, eye breaks, etc. occurring on-time with a warden’s question, can indicate the person is unsettled about something or is indeed lying. These areas, known as probing points, are internal thoughts that evidence themselves not through words but through the body, thus indicating a need to further explore that topic. Embedded in this course is a four-hour Practical Lie Detection section where volunteers appear on videotape. At least nine ways to help distinguish truthfulness are discussed during this class.

 Applying your detection abilities in a practical format

Facial Expressions Recognition

Research has proven those who can recognize fleeting facial expressions of emotion are the best at spotting lies. Using a test designed by leading behavioral scientists, conservation officers learn how to spot and properly identify these facial movements flashing across the face at one quarter of a second. Most do little better than chance when judging between truth and lies. Learn why one particular group of law enforcement officers is 80% effective at spotting deception and how wardens can achieve a similarly high level of confidence.

The Initial Approach

What does it mean when an angler fails to return a salutation from the game warden? An innovative four-year study conducted by Mr. Baile showed mental state was often the reason an angler would choose to wave back or not. The findings from over 400 angler’s reactions can be applied to general patrol.
Specalized Game Warden Interrogation Methods

Specialized Game Warden Interrogation Methods

Participants are given detailed instruction in obtaining admissions and confessions in the game warden’s natural settings e.g. in a barn, a farmer’s kitchen table, river bank, duck blind, goose pit, tailgate, tree stand, boat, sitting on a log, etc. Traditional interview room settings are also discussed. Participants are offered opportunities to engage in mock classroom interrogations centered on relevant enforcement situations.

Gestures Revealing State of Mind

What does it mean when you place hands on the hips or when someone echos your movements? Did you know that flashing the palms can signal “helplessness?” Officers learn to recognize and interpret a multitude of implicit signals that will help them stay safe in the field.