1. (a) The purpose of law enforcement is to educate the park visitors, which will affect a change in their behavior from that of violating rules to that of voluntary compliance with them through understanding.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Violations of these rules by park visitors are handled in the most effective, but least offensive manner.

   2. (2) The means of making corrections are:

      1. (A)

3. (i) Verbal contact.

   1. (ii) Education of violator, gaining compliance through explaining the rules and the purpose they serve; and

      1. (B)

         1. (i) Verbal warning.
         2. (ii) For immediate correction of a situation, indicating more serious action if the violation is repeated.
         3. (c) It is by these means that noncommissioned uniformed personnel will take corrective actions.
         4. (d)
   2. (1) In the event that a noncommissioned officer witnesses or has reported to him or her a life-threatening violation or the commission of a crime, he or she must obtain assistance from the park ranger, other park commissioned officers, or local law enforcement agencies immediately.

   3. (2) If none are readily available and the instance involves a violation that has or may result in an accident, serious injury, death, or commission of a felony, he or she should take steps necessary and prudent to:

      1. (A) Preserve life; or
      2. (B) Prevent injury or destruction to property.

4. (e)

   1. (1) Beyond these levels of enforcement, actions on more serious violations or crimes become the responsibility of the park ranger or other commissioned law enforcement personnel.

   2. (2) Persons in these positions have the authority of:

      1. (A)

         1. (i) Written warning.
         2. (ii) A courtesy reminder for the visitor that should this violation be repeated, court action may be necessary;

      2. (B)

         1. (i) Issuing citations.
         2. (ii) An invitation to appear in court to answer the charges stated on the citation.
         3. (iii) This may require the posting of an appearance bond by the violator; and

      3. (C)

         1. (i) Physical arrest.
         2. (ii) Taking into custody a violator or criminal resulting in the posting of an appearance bond or incarceration of the individual.

5. (f)

   1. (1) Determination of the seriousness of a violation and the lowest effective level of enforcement can only be made by the person at the scene.
   2. (2) In a marginal situation where two (2) possible courses of action are available, your guideline is to use the lowest of two (2) levels.
   3. (3) You must keep in mind that your purpose is to correct the immediate violations and to prevent a recurrence in the reasonable future, not to punish the violator.
6. (g) The State Parks Division’s publication of The Law Enforcement Manual contains the approved policies for handling law enforcement situations in state parks.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "JULY 15, 1988 PARK DIRECTIVE 3000.1"