VAN BUREN, Mo. – Ozark National Scenic Riverways Ranger Chris Figge was recently honored as the 2021 Law Enforcement Instructor of the Year by the National Park Service Law Enforcement Training Center.
Candidates for Law Enforcement Instructor of the Year are evaluated for their motivation and excellence in law enforcement instruction, contribution and improvement to training, and setting a professional example during instruction.
Chris began his career in 1997 as a security guard at the Gateway Arch, becoming a park ranger there in 1999. He transferred to Ozark National Scenic Riverways as a law enforcement ranger in 2003. Chris has served as the District Ranger of the park’s Jacks Fork District since 2015, overseeing law enforcement and emergency services in the middle section of the park.
Chris has been an instructor in a variety of law enforcement disciplines throughout his career at Ozark. He is considered a master instructor and subject matter expert in firearms and use of force, having taught both for over ten years. While assisting with training for active shooter response, he developed a training curriculum on weapons handling that he continues to update and improve with new methodologies.
He is currently an instructor in the NPS I-SWIM training program for swiftwater rescue. In addition, he has served as a Field Training Officer for the Field Training and Evaluation Program, instructing and assessing new park rangers on a variety of critical skills. Chris has a passion for training and for helping prepare new rangers for a future in law enforcement. He strives to combine multiple disciplines during instruction to create meaningful experiences for trainees which will prepare them for a challenging, yet rewarding, career serving and protecting the resources and visitors of our national parks.
