OROVILLE - On September 21, 2022, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Chief Counsel Kasey Clark, along with State Park Peace Officers Association of California (SPPOAC) President Matt Yarbrough traveled to Butte College in Oroville to welcome the 37 cadets who are part of BVST 48 and introduce to them, their union.

In speaking with the cadets, Yarbrough emphasized the cadets' primary focus needed to be on doing whatever it takes to graduate.  Clark and Yarbrough both stressed the importance of becoming a member of CSLEA in order to have (among other things):

• legal defense coverage should they ever be involved in a critical incident,
• legal representation in light of the increased scrutiny that will likely take place with license decertification (SB 2) which will be going into effect on January 1, 2023,
• and in order to access the PORAC Blue Cross health plan which is only available to peace officer-members of CSLEA.

"Parks is really hurting for rangers and lifeguards in the field and this academy class appears to be a solid group of individuals who want to make a difference," said Yarbrough.  "I remember what it was like to be sitting in their seats when I attended the academy some 20 years ago. It is a great profession, but a challenging one."

The class will graduate next May. CSLEA and SPPOAC wish the cadets the best of luck.