training: law enforcement

resources

training & forms

training:
veterinarians

training:
law enforcement

resources > training: law enforcement

TRAINING: ANIMAL CRUELTY INVESTIGATIONS

Animal Folks, working with the Oakdale Police Department, hosted training on Animal Cruelty Investigations for Oakdale peace officers and for Animal Control Officers (ACOs) and Community Service Officers (CSOs)(statewide).

Continuing education credits were provided through the MN Board of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). 75 attendees.

This was a pilot program with the focus on basic training about animal cruelty, Minnesota animal law, and investigation techniques. The program will be expanded to other police departments and sheriff offices throughout Minnesota. Advanced training (i.e., species-specific, crime-specific) will be developed with input from law enforcement based on needs and problems in their communities.

The agenda with local and national speakers is below. The officer training was for 3.5 hours, held in two shifts. The ACO and CSO training was a full 8 hour day, with additional topics and speakers.

Funding for the December training was provided by Animal Folks, the Oakdale Police Department, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Pine County Attorney Reese Frederickson speaking about MN anti-cruelty statutes.

Daniel Almeida, DVM at U of M, speaking about pain in animals.

AGENDA: Animal Cruelty Investigations Training

NOTE: For the 3.5 hour session targeted to peace offficers (afternoon and evening sessions held), speakers were:

Ann Olson, Reese Frederickson, Leigh Anne Garrard, Dr. Lisa McCargar, Officer Michelle Starke, and Sergeant Lindsay Herron.

FULL DAY (8 hour), targeted to Animal Control Officers and Community Service Officers

7:30 - 8:00am	Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:00 - 8:20am	MN Animal Cruelty: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach Ann Olson, Founder & Executive Director, Animal Folks
8:20 - 9:20am	MN Animal Law: Introduction Reese Frederickson, Pine County Attorney
9:20 - 9:30am	BREAK
9:30 - 10:20am	Officer Training: What's needed for evidence? Reese Frederickson, Pine County Attorney
10:20 - 10:50am	Veterinary Forensics: What is Pain? Daniel Almeida, DVM
10:50 - 11:00am	BREAK
11:00 - 12:00pm	Animal Cruelty Basics (types of cruelty crimes) Leigh Anne Garrard, ASPCA
12:00 - 1:00pm	LUNCH: lunch provided
1:00 - 2:00pm	Animal Cruelty Basics (continued) Leigh Anne Garrard, ASPCA
2:00 - 2:40pm	MN Process: Complaint to Charging and Case Submission • Sergeant Lindsay Herron, Mpls. Police Dept. • Officer Michelle Stark, Oakdale Police Department
2:40 - 2:50pm	BREAK
2:50 - 3:30pm	MN Process: Case examples with search warrant Sergeant Lindsay Herron, Mpls. Police Department
3:30 - 4:00pm	MN Animal Cruelty: Cases & Convictions • Ann Olson, Founder & E.D., Animal Folks • Sergeant Lindsay Herron, Mpls. Police Department • Officer Michelle Stark, Oakdale Police Department
4:00 - 4:30pm	What We Do: Minneapolis Animal Care & Control Caroline Hairfield, MACC
4:30 - 4:50pm	What We Do: Animal Humane Society humane agents, critical response team, animal sheltering and care Kathy Mock, Animal Humane Society
4:50 - 5:00pm	Wrap up: Q&A

MATERIALS

Four multi-page Q&A handouts were given to each attendee on the following topics:

1. Animal Cruelty: Investigations

2. Animal Cruelty: Seizure and Disposition (Chapter 343)

3. Dog and Cat in Motor Vehicle

4. Forensic Necropsy

Also, a binder with Complaint and Register of Actions were provided showing convictions on 6 selected cases, including intentional abuse, hoarding, sexual abuse, dog in hot car, and mass commercial dog breeder.

"));