Public Safety Department
Stark County Park Rangers exist not only to protect parkland and wildlife, but also park visitors. Park Rangers strive to keep Stark Parks a safe and enjoyable place to visit, and do so by being certified peace officers through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA). They are sworn and commissioned officers with full powers of arrest. Each Ranger goes through multiple months of field training to learn specific job duties pertaining to park policing. They have the ability to enforce state laws, including wildlife, watercraft, and traffic laws, as well as Stark County Park District ordinances.
Park Rangers are also trained in ice water rescue and general first-aid and CPR. You may see Rangers working closely with other police departments in Stark County as we have a mutual-aid agreement with law enforcement entities across the county.
Patrol Methods
Stark County Rangers are able to keep parks, lakes, and hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails safe by use of various patrol methods, including patrol cars, foot patrol, bicycle patrol, ATV patrol, and boat patrol.
Meet Gunnar the K-9 Ranger
Gunnar, a Belgian Malinois and German shepherd mix, became the first K-9 Ranger at Stark Parks in early 2014. He is trained in narcotics tracking and detection, search and rescue, suspect apprehension, and article searching. With his handler, Sergeant Ranger Crock, Gunnar also appears at many community events just to say hello and receive some extra attention.
Community Policing
Stark County Park Rangers utilize a community-oriented policing approach. You may see a Ranger during Stark Parks' Ranger for a Day, Catfish with Cops, and Back the Blue Bass Tournament. They also attend National Night Out and many other local events.
Ranger Cadet Program
The Ranger Cadet program gives young adults ages 15 to 20 the chance to explore, observe, and participant in natural resource enforcement with Stark Parks Rangers.
Cadets learn wildlife laws, firearm safety, and various patrol methods including vehicle ride-alongs, bikes, and watercraft.
