VERY INTENSE SEVENTH SESSION: NARCOTICS, WILDFIRE FIGHTING, AND MOUNTAIN RESCUE

By: Tyler Beadle

BISHOP, CA –

On November 13, 2025, the seventh session of the Third Bishop Community Police Academy delivered three brand-new topics that left our nine-student class wide-eyed and intrigued. Sergeant Scobie proudly announced that narcotics, CAL FIRE operations, and Inyo County Search and Rescue are all fresh additions to this year’s curriculum.

BPD Sergeant Mairs launched the night with a rapid-fire narcotics lesson. He explained that a complete narcotics course could span hours, so he condensed the essentials into one power-packed hour. We learned about the street realities of marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and the terrifying rise of fentanyl, which now drives a huge share of overdose deaths. He shared how some of these could affect small towns just like ours. Mairs connected the dots to cartels that treat drugs as a cash cow and showed how Proposition 47 (passed in 2014) reclassified many thefts under $950 and certain drug-possession felonies as misdemeanors. The result? Officers often see the same individuals repeatedly because consequences feel lighter. His facts and real-world examples made the drug fight feel immediate and local. I walked away with a much clearer picture of what our officers face every shift.

Next was CAL FIRE Captain Specialist Williams, who followed with a great presentation. Our area falls under the massive San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit, and Williams explained the difference between State Responsibility Areas (mostly wildland) and Local Responsibility Areas (communities). Some CAL FIRE personnel, after rigorous training, even hold full peace officer powers, allowing them to make arrests during arson investigations or to seize illegal fireworks. He showed photos of truckloads of confiscated fireworks intercepted at agricultural stations, then resold to states where they’re legal, such as Tennessee, to name one. Williams walked us through arson investigation techniques, from burn patterns to accelerant detection, and reminded us that one careless spark or one malicious match can threaten entire valleys. With Bishop surrounded by dry brush and wind, his message was crystal clear: prevention and rapid response save lives and homes.

The emotional high point came when Inyo County Sheriff’s Corporal Lawson and two Inyo SAR volunteers took the stage. Under California law, counties bear ultimate responsibility for rescuing people lost or injured in the backcountry, so Inyo invests heavily in its Search and Rescue team. They reach out to the State and other providers for Helicopters, such as CHP-80 from Apple Valley and CHP-40 from Fresno. The victim’s location depends on which resource Inyo SARs uses. The volunteers, who receive no pay, are everyday Eastern Sierra locals with full-time jobs who also happen to be expert climbers, mountaineers, and medics. They shared jaw-dropping photos and helmet-cam videos: night rescues on sheer granite faces, helicopter long-line extractions, and medical care delivered miles into the backcountry. One clip captured the moment they reached an injured climber who had fallen and broken her leg. These volunteers risk their lives because they love these mountains and the people who explore them. (I’ll be attaching photos of the SAR command truck and gear with this article.)

The class then ended at its usual time around 9:15 pm. I’m already counting the days until Session 8 next Thursday, when we tour the Bishop Police Department, Inyo County Courthouse, and Inyo County Jail. More photos on the way! I hope this series is giving readers the same appreciation I feel every week for the men and women who serve our Eastern Sierra. For more on the Bishop Police Department, this class, or future ones, contact them directly. Questions about my article or writing? Email [email protected].