UW-Superior students take part in Child Abduction Response Team exercise with area police, sheriff d
Students in the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s legal studies and criminal justice programs had the chance to engage in experiential learning as participants and actors in a recent Child Abduction Response Team (CART) exercise. Local, state and federal law enforcement and rescue agencies from the region participated in the event.
The UW-Superior Criminal Justice Student Association (CJSA) hosted a team of student actors and participants. The annual exercise is an applied role play that allows area law enforcement agencies to collaborate and practice in-field skills in responding effectively to a child abduction situation. Each student participant received a professional certificate for completing this in-field experience.
“It was a great experience for them working with our regional law enforcement and rescue partners,” said Steve Steblay, CJSA advisor and senior lecturer in criminal justice at UW-Superior. “Each of our students received praise for a job well done.”
Steblay, who has more than 30 years of experience as a law enforcement officer in the region, explained that CART exercises are important practice sessions for regional law enforcement agencies to hone their skills for the awful possibility of a real child abduction in the region – these kinds of exercises ensure that officers remain honed and ready no matter what for quick response to save a child.
“This CART exercise was a great learning experience for our UW-Superior students and it built relationships with our community and regional law enforcement partners,” he said.
