VAN BUREN — A longtime ranger at the Ozark National Scenic Riverways was recognized recently as the National Park Service’s 2021 Law Enforcement Instructor of the Year.
Chris Figge, the district ranger in the Jacks Fork and middle Current River region of the Riverways, was selected from a large pool of instructors across the country.
“I’m excited. I’m amazed I was the one selected,” Figge said.
“I’m very humbled. There are some amazing instructors out there, and I sit back and think about the instructors I’ve had over the years that are still teaching …,” he added.
The award comes from the National Park Service Law Enforcement Training Center, which is based out of the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia.
Figge began his law enforcement ranger career with the Riverways in 2003, and prior to that was a security guard then ranger at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
His love for teaching came early in his career.
“I got into teaching and instruction probably around 2004 or 2005. It’s something I’ve always had a passion about,” Figge said. “I remember when I started as a young ranger, I wanted more information. I wanted to learn as much as I could.”
Figge is a firearms and swift-water rescue instructor, plus more, but his passion, he said, lies in use-of-force training.
“I’ve sat on board some reviews nationally for use of force incidents,” he said.
Ensuring his coworkers are ready for any situation, he said, is critical.
“I’ve always looked at it as everybody, whether a park service ranger or local law enforcement officers I’m working with … everybody could be my backup, and I want them to be effective at their job if I’m asking for their help,” he explained.
Over the years, he’s taught not only locally, but also in other national parks, Oklahoma, St. Louis, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, North Carolina and more.
“I’ve been all over,” he said with a laugh.
“Chris has been a multiple subject-matter instructor for several years here, and he’s a real asset to our program by providing that high quality training to our rangers as well as to other agencies outside the Park Service and around the country,” explained ONSR Chief Ranger Lindel Gregory.
Citing a love of the people and the area, Figge said, he plans to continue his career in the Riverways.
“I’ve always kind of hoped my career would lead me down to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, but I’m so rooted in the local community that I don’t see me leaving,” he said. “I plan to just stay right where I am and help people the best I can. It’s something I really enjoy.”