The Southern Ute Tribal Rangers Division is adding a new member to the department – tribal member, Jason Scott. Scott recently completed sixteen weeks of rigorous training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Artesia, NM, with training ranging from firearms to driving courses. Scott graduated from the training center on Monday, Oct. 26, and was joined by his family and seventeen of the cadets in class 507/155 to celebrate the milestone.
“It’s been a long sixteen weeks, but there’s so much I learned,” Scott said. “I look forward to working with everyone. I enjoy the [reservation] and the people – it brings me pride. Joining the rangers is a good opportunity that I fell into, and I thank my family, department, and everyone else who supported me along the way.”
Class Representative, Jessica E. Ramos, gave her cadets personal gratitude for the teamwork they underwent during their intensive training.
“It has been a long journey, but I am happy to share this special moment with my platoon,” Ramos said. “This Academy has been a tough one for all of us, but now looking back, we are the people who have been chosen to protect our community. We will continue to do what we’ve been training to do, and that is to show professionalism in our duty.”
Barbara Scott-Rarick, Jason’s mother, showed admiration in her son’s successes.
“I’m very proud of him. To see him be interested in becoming a tribal ranger, he makes my heart swell. He’s a great son, and he gives me and our family pride.”
Thomas Woolworth, retired Special Agent in the BIA Office of Justice Services, addressed the graduating class about their future and holding strong to the ethics they all learned.
“I want to issue several challenges to this class, and one of them is to maintain your ethics,” he stated. “The second challenge is to remember your training. You will remain in training for the rest of our years, and it will be a constant to your job. Lastly, never forget about your loved ones at home as well as the departments who put all faith and trust in you … focus on your future and believe in yourself. Always achieve great things as you move forward.”
“I am honored to serve my people and do the very best job for them,” Jason Scott concluded.