OROVILLE – On January 4, 2024, California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) Chief Counsel Kasey Clark and Association of California Wildlife Officers (ACWO) President Trevor Pell and Acting-Vice President Max Roland met with 68 cadets who working to become California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) officers by attending academies at the Butte College Public Safety Education and Training Center.  The three union representatives spoke with the cadets about the importance of union membership and having access to representation and a proven Legal Defense Fund (LDF).

“The cadets are at the very beginning of their long, sometimes grueling journey through the academy.  We think this is a very important time to meet them and introduce them to the benefits, services and support that CSLEA offers,” said Clark.  “It’s well-advised that they have access to a legal defense fund and an attorney prior to graduating from the academy and beginning field training.”

“As the new ACWO president, I was excited to have the opportunity to talk to the cadets about their rights as new state employees and the benefits of CSLEA membership. I stressed the importance of CSLEA legal defense and the peace of mind that it brings knowing I have legal defense should an issue arise. In addition, I spoke about the healthcare benefits I get from being a CSLEA and PORAC member. I wish all of the cadets well in the academy as they progress to becoming fully fledged wildlife officers,” said Pell.

CSLEA welcomes the cadets who signed up for union membership and wishes all the cadets well as they go through months of intense training.