Robert White, Former deputy chief with Flagstaff Arizona Police Department, came to the Sky Ute Casino Resort on Wednesday, Feb. 11 to teach an Emotional Survival training course to local law enforcement.

Every year, the Southern Ute Police Department sponsors the Brad Jesmer/Tony Archuleta Memorial Shoot. The shoot started in August of 2013 and with nearly 3 years already under its belt the shoot was finally able raise enough money to bring White in to help train local law enforcement.

“I am really happy that the memorial was able to generate enough funding … this is very local,” Phil Drake, Gaming Director said. “Basically friends and neighbors. No big time money coming from anywhere. It’s the Ignacio area. That’s tremendous when you look at the number of people that show up.”

White has an extensive background that includes 40 years in law enforcement. He also attended the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy.

As far as training experience, White is a Leadership Development Instructor for the International Association of Chief of Police and has been conducting law enforcement-training sessions regularly.

The Southern Ute Police Department and the Division of Gaming are not the only ones who got to benefit from this training, officers from as far as Flagstaff, AZ traveled to participate in the training.

“I think this course, emotional survival, it hits home for officers. The patrol officer, the Sargent, the detective, the chief, the lieutenant, any law enforcement officer, his whole career is taught, fight. Fight to go home. I think the officer is so geared up in handling everybody else’s problems when he’s at work, the officer builds all this stuff up then he goes home,” SUPD Chief Ray Coriz said.

“Sometimes the officers get disconnected at home and then they start depriving their kid or wife and they forget to do things they love,” Coriz said. “This is a great course I’m excited for new avenues to relieve stress.”

The Brad Jesmer/Anthony Archuleta Memorial Shoot is held every year in August. Please look for more information about this upcoming event and how you can support your local law enforcement in upcoming issues of The Southern Ute Drum.