Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE -UWP faculty member Aric Dutelle led a group of UWP students and alumni recently to Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands, located off the northern coast of Honduras. Nine UWP criminal justice students went on the trip: Wesley Strey of Wild Rose, Joseph Foy III of New Berlin, Zachery Kroll of Wausau, Christopher Helmke of Sheboygan, Cole Sargent of Milton, Patricia Meoska of Bagley, Amy Weber of Black River Falls, Katie Parkhurst of Reedsburg and Matthew Giffin of Appleton. Two UWP alumni, Carrie Holberg of Wisconsin Rapids and Angela Cartwright of Montello, also went along.

Dutelle initially traveled to Roatan on vacation, but ended up assisting police with a local death investigation while there. Since that first trip, he's returned several times to help train the local police in crime scene investigation. Twice, he's taken along a group of students, so that they may benefit from the cultural experience and study some of the differences between U.S. and foreign law enforcement.

"The Honduran police also benefit from the student's knowledge, enthusiasm for the topic and generous contributions of equipment and supplies to the country of Honduras," says Dutelle.

The group's visits on the trip included the rain forest; various law and government buildings such as the Municipal police building, National Police headquarters, City Council chambers, local jail and the ocean, where they had the chance to scuba dive. Cartwright, who had already been on the trip once before, remarked, "Things are so calm and not up-tight 'island time.'" The easy-going, laid back nature of the country made it easier for the students to acclimate themselves to their surroundings and the culture.

Exclaimed Meoska, "Some of the most memorable experiences were scuba diving off the coast of Roatan and seeing the beautiful coral reefs and fish." The coral and aquatic life off the coast of Roatan draws in over 200,000 tourists every year, which is over six times the local population.

The scuba diving was not merely idle fun, however. The students, who had obtained certificates in scuba diving either prior to leaving for Honduras or during their stay, had the opportunity to study underwater crime scenes and learn underwater investigation techniques. Several of the students agreed that the underwater experience was one of the best parts of the trip.

"I feel that Honduras has so many things to offer any student that goes on this trip, whether it be for 'police relations' or to study an underwater investigation." says Cartwright. "There is so much to see and learn from a trip to another country that is so unlike the U.S."

As Honduras is currently a developing country, Dutelle needed to work closely with local representatives and administrators to develop cultural and educational experiences for the students. Transportation for such a large group was difficult, which resulted in several memorable experiences.

"At one point, the chief of the National Police dropped everything he was doing, borrowed a school bus from a friend and drove one hour to pick our group up, one hour to take us to the rain forest, and one hour back to the resort where we were staying," says Dutelle.

Dutelle encourages students interested in participating in future trips to get certified in scuba diving prior to leaving for Honduras, and take classes in forensic investigations and Spanish, if possible.

"Learn as much Spanish as you can, so you can communicate more clearly," adds Parkhurst. Students interested in attending any future trips to Honduras should contact Dutelle atdutellea@uwplatt.edu

Prepared by: Lauren Lehr and Kym Bliven, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194,lehrl@uwplatt.edu and blivenk@uwplatt.edu