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rangers’ law enforcement focus must be to protect OSMP resources and visitors; suspects
should be referred to the appropriate enforcement agency as soon as possible unless code
violations directly impact OSMP resources or visitors.

Qualifications and Training

Rangers are required to attain Colorado POST certification within one year of their hire date.
Due to the diversity and responsibilities inherent in the ranger position, rangers must also strive
continually to maintain a high level of proficiency in a variety of disciplines. Standardized,
professional performance levels are most consistently attained through ongoing training
programs. The following training is required for OSMP rangers:

All rangers will follow and maintain peace officer training guidelines established by the BPD and
are required to attend in-service trainings the BPD provides or attend equivalent training the OSMP
Department provides. Rangers must maintain all POST certification requirements, and they must
regularly qualify with their duty weapons in accordance with the qualifications schedule
established by the BPD (see Chapter 5, Part III: “Firearms”). The BPD and ranger work groups
will keep records documenting all rangers’ qualifications dates and scores. Rangers are required to
maintain defensive tactics training and certification in Pressure Point Control Tactics (PPCT) and
intermediate weapons according to BPD policies; BPD or certified OSMP instructors will conduct
certification and training qualifications.

Officer Discretion
The OSMP Department recognizes that reasonable and appropriate action varies with each
situation, facts, and circumstances. Rangers must exercise discretionary judgment to ensure
fairness, as well as provide for the community’s and the OSMP system’s safety, protection, and
security. Rangers are guided how to use discretionary judgment to establish a framework for
making decisions and to protect the public from discriminatory or unfair law enforcement.

Limits of Discretion
Rangers are limited in the use of discretion as defined by and according to:
• Federal and state laws, city ordinances, and case law;
• Department rules, policy, and general orders; and
• Training.

Use of Discretion
When legal or policy limitations are not defined for a particular situation, rangers must make law
enforcement decisions guided by the following considerations:
• Nature and circumstances of the situation or offense;
• Impacts to OSMP resources including wildlife, culture, and agriculture;
• Intention to resolve a situation or problem and prevent future violations;

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