ESCANABA — Delta Force students met on Thursday, April 28 to learn from members of the Delta County law enforcement and legal system, with a focus on solving problems within the county’s criminal justice system.

“Law and Order Day” was the third session of this year’s Delta Force class. Sponsored by Community Foundation for Delta County, the day started with breakfast at the Delta County Sheriff Department. The students then received information and a tour of the new Delta County Jail so that they could see the ways that technology is being used to make the jail more efficient.

Prior to Thursday’s session, Delta Force students had each done a ride-along with law enforcement so that they could have an understanding of what the officers do on a daily basis.

“It was interesting to see how much technology has changed law enforcement in the past 20 or so years,” Delta Force student Kris Goymerac said. “I was really impressed with the collaboration between different organizations that most of the public might not be aware of. The fact that we are in a smaller community gives us the advantage of people knowing one another more, which might not be possible in a larger, more populated community.”

Students learned about the challenges law enforcement professionals face from Sheriff Ed Oswald; Jim McNeil, owner of Delta Force Security and Private Investigation; Escanaba Public Safety Det. John Gudwer; sheriff deputies and other members of the Community Policing Panel.

Members of the panel answered students’ questions and explained some of the challenges and how they solve them by working together to both promote awareness, ultimately creating a safe community.

Next, the Delta Force students learned from the professionals at the Delta Regional Child Advocacy Center, located near the jail at 2820 College Avenue. The professionally-trained staff at the Child Advocacy Center (CAC) explained how their program helps children who have been in violent, abusive, and/or neglectful situations.

The discussion was led by Kelly Chandler, program director at the CAC, as well as Family Advocate Sarah Sorensen and Forensic Interviewer Melissa Middaugh.

All three women explained how the staff at the CAC helps children who have been through traumatic, violent or abusive situations in a professional, research-based and caring manner.

The Delta Force students also met “Blue,” the CAC’s therapy dog. An Australian shepherd, Blue puts the children who come to the Center at ease and helps them to feel comfortable and safe.

Students enjoyed lunch as they listened to the presentations and learned about how the CAC professionals perform forensic interviews and work in conjunction with area law enforcement in providing them with these video-taped conversations in which the children tell their stories of being abused and neglected.

Students then watched a mock conversation with one of the Delta Force participants and Program Director Chandler. This allowed the Delta Force students to see for themselves the forensics interview process and how the professionals at the Child Advocacy Center use patience and compassionate language in helping the children tell their stories and begin their journey to healing.

Delta Force students then visited the Delta County Courthouse and listened to presentations by Acting Prosecutor Lauren Wickman, along with Circuit Court Judge John Economopoulos and Probate Court Judge Perry Lund.

Acting Prosecutor Wickman spoke about how vital the CAC’s interviews are to law enforcement, and stressed the importance of communicating with law enforcement and other agencies such as the CAC. The judges explained the differences between District Court, Circuit Court and Probate Court, and discussed with the students the legal process in the United States.

Wickman, Economopoulos, and Lund then took questions from the students, and thanked them for being good citizens by taking the time to learn about the legal process.

The objective of Delta Force is to identify participants with potential for community leadership; acquaint these leaders with community issues, resources and opportunities; increase the leadership skills of program participants; provide participants with opportunities to network and exchange ideas with each other and with community leaders; assist participants in finding volunteer roles in the community; and encourage graduates to continue their involvement by participating in community service programs.

Created and facilitated by the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, Delta Force encompasses a series of 10 full-day sessions covering such areas as media and communications, education, health and community services, law and order, government, and other key segments of our community.

Sessions are typically scheduled for the last Thursday of each month and are designed to be highly interactive and thought-provoking. A typical day involves a combination of group discussions, field trips, and presentations by respected local leaders. Visit www.deltami.org/delta-force-leadership-program for more information about Delta Force.

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Vicki LaFave is communications director for the Delta County Chamber of Commerce