OROVILLE – On September 19, 2023, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Chief Counsel Kasey Clark, along with State Park Peace Officers Association of California (SPPOAC) President Matt Yarbrough conducted a new employee orientation for State Park ranger and lifeguard cadets beginning academy training at Butte College in Oroville.

The cadets will spend 32 weeks training prior to graduating and receiving their State Parks Peace Officer badges.  Graduation is then followed by field training before working solo.

In speaking with the cadets, Yarbrough spoke of the determination and focus needed to successfully complete the academy.  Clark and Yarbrough both stressed the importance of becoming a member of CSLEA in order to have:

• legal defense coverage should they ever be involved in a critical incident,
• legal representation in light of SB 2 (license decertification) which went into effect on January 1, 2023,
• access to the PORAC Blue Cross health plan which is only available to peace officer-members of CSLEA.

In addition, CSLEA membership benefits and services also include:

• a basic $15,000 life insurance plan,
• access to group insurance rates,
• access to a $50,000 Guarantee Issue Voluntary Term Life Insurance plan with a premium based strictly on age when applying within 90 days of one’s hire date in a Unit 7 position,
• membership discount program,
• scholarship opportunities,
• contract ratification vote.

“We are so enthused to welcome these cadets to the program and to CSLEA.  They have chosen a career in which they can truly make a difference, protecting people and protecting our State Parks,” said Yarbrough.  “They will be greatly challenged over the next eight months and we are here to assist them along the way.”

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