News Release

Riverways ranger receives Director’s Leadership Award

Upper Current Ranger Zack Swindle (left) receiving the Director’s Leadership Award from National Park Service Director Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: April 15, 2022

Contact: Dena Matteson, [phone]

VAN BUREN, Mo. – Ozark National Scenic Riverways Ranger Zack Swindle was recently honored with the Director’s Leadership Award during his graduation from the Land Management Police Training Program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia, on April 6.

The Director’s Leadership Award is a prestigious award presented to one member of each graduating class. Recipients are selected by classmates as the student who most embodies the characteristics of a law enforcement leader. These traits include positively influencing others; serving as a role model; accountability to themselves and others; problem-solving; exemplifying excellence; going above and beyond expectations; caring about fellow classmates; putting others first; teamwork; inspiring goodwill and enthusiasm; and being loyal, helpful, respectful, thoughtful, and ethical. The award was presented during commencement by National Park Service Director Charles F. “Chuck” Sams III.

Zack is a native of Doniphan, Missouri, and entered law enforcement after graduating from Hannibal-LaGrange University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He began his career as a conservation agent for Missouri Department of Conservation, where he spent five years working in southern Missouri around the Current and Jacks Fork rivers.  He began his National Park Service career in 2021 as a law enforcement ranger at Ozark National Scenic Riverways. He currently works in the park’s upper Current District, patrolling areas of the park and the Current River between Tan Vat to Two Rivers.

The Land Management Police Training Program is a 16-week program conducted for federal law enforcement officers at FLETC and is designed to meet the training needs of law enforcement officers responsible for protecting natural resources and public lands. Core courses include training in areas such as conflict management, hazardous material (HAZMAT) awareness, emergency response driving, report writing, basic marksmanship, drugs of abuse, federal criminal law, arrest techniques, and other law enforcement duties in urban, suburban, rural, and remote areas. Upon completion of the formal training at FLETC, park rangers must complete an intensive 11-week field training program.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people. For more information, contact park headquarters at [phone], visit the park’s Facebook page, or website at www.nps.gov/ozar. 

www.nps.gov/ozar

Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves 134 miles of the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork rivers, the surrounding resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people. 

 Learn more at www.nps.gov/ozar.  Find us on Facebook @ozarkriverways and on Instagram @ozarkriverwaysnps.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.