QUESTION:
It's been noticed that some Rangers are allowed to wear protective vests while others are not. If the safety of employees and especially Rangers are of paramount importance why aren't all Rangers allowed to utilize this safety protocol? All Rangers are allowed to carry pepper spray and a bite stick yet not all of them are allowed to wear a vest. This doesn't make sense and makes one set of Rangers safety seem more important than others. All Rangers are routinely put into situations that could prove to be dangerous whether it's from intoxicated guests with knives and possibly guns close at hand to the unhoused who may be influenced by banned substances and as such should be offered the same amount of protection. Can this be changed? Can all of our Rangers receive the same safety measures across the board?
ANSWER:
Thank you for submitting your inquiry about the use of protective vests (body armor). Safety concerns are taken seriously and our solutions must remain calculated, objective, and supported with relevant data.
Mission and Values of RivCoParks:
Before I address your specific body armor question, I think it’s important to remember who we are and what our role is with the communities we serve. Our mission is to create spaces that are both accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Our core values - being community-centric, inclusive, providing exceptional service, and acting as responsible stewards - define who we are. While we deeply respect the role of law enforcement, our Park Ranger's focus is on enhancing the guest experience by fostering a warm and welcoming environment. To support this goal, we strive to provide guidance on how visitors can safely enjoy our spaces. The presence of body armor and defensive tools can sometimes create a different visual impression, potentially making guests feel uneasy and suggesting an atmosphere of concern rather than the safety and enjoyment we work hard to maintain.
History of Body Armor, Pepper Spray, and Batons:
To give you some historical background, when we first considered allowing rangers to utilize pepper spray and batons as defensive tools, then to wear body armor, our internal Ranger Safety Group had identified an uptick in interactions that included contact with animals (aggressive dogs off leash, wild boars, etc.), contact with unauthorized target shooters (high powered rifles, semi-automatic rifles and side arms), and seasonal contact with hunters (deer, quail, pig, dove, and turkey) with the potential of errand shot, ricochet, or negligent discharge during hunting license check. There were also an increasing number of engagements with unhoused individuals in open-space areas and illegal marijuana grows where access was limited and response by law enforcement may be delayed.
The Ranger Safety Group presented their analysis of issues, similar agency best practices, and potential solutions to the RivCoParks executive team for review. After consultation with human resources, risk management, and legal counsel, it was determined use of pepper spray and batons could assist with defending against attacks by a dangerous animal or person, allowing employees an opportunity to retreat to safety and call for help. Several years later, body armor was added in limited situations/areas based on the objective risks present and type of work being done, though no documented incidents of attacks had occurred.
The overall goals in any of our defensive measures are to:
Obtain willing compliance through calm communication (if it's not calm it's not effective)
Know when to engage further (if the person is intoxicated or combative, further discussion will probably not help)
Know when to pull back to our safety zones and contact local law enforcement for further support.
Fortunately, the above goals, combined with a focus on our mission and values, have greatly limited the number of actual incidents where use of a baton or pepper spray have been necessary. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times they’ve even been deployed. In terms of body armor, no incidents have occurred where body armor was the determining factor in injury prevention. This is a good thing. It means that our training, engagement, and response methods are effective.
What Next?
I know I cannot cover all your concerns without mutual dialogue, but we remain committed to maintaining a safe environment for our employees and guests. Our monthly Supervisor meetings and Ranger Safety Group meetings are the intended forums for topics like this one. Please talk to your Area Manager to get your concern scheduled on the next agenda for further peer discussion and evaluation. For further details on our policies, discussion about your concerns, and potential solutions, please reach out to Chief McLain anytime.