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State Park officers union request firearms and body armor

Michigan Department of Natural Resources
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https://flic.kr/p/diTYvu

The union that represents state park officers has filed a request to carry guns and wear body armor.

These officers currently carry pepper spray, batons, and handcuffs.

Ken Moore is the president of the association. He says he's received complaints from officers about dealing with unruly park-goers. He says officers have felt unsafe in parks like Belle Isle and Grand Haven.

"The inner city activity has a disrespect for law enforcement. The ultimate goal for me, make sure that my folks, my membership has sufficient tools to do the jobs they were hired to do."

Moore also claims that illegal activity in state parks is on the rise.

A spokesman for the Michigan Department of Natural resources says these claims aren't true.

Conservation officers DO carry guns. They get 22 weeks of training. Park officers get only seven weeks.