Area Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police Officers took part in a sonar detail with several other area agencies.

The detail took place at Clinton Lake and according to CPO Ray Wichus, a sonar detail is a simulation of a body recovery. Officer Wichus says this detail ensures inter-agency cooperation. He notes it also establishes a chain of command should a situation arise in the future.

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Along with establishing a chain of command in the event of a body recovery operation, Officer Wichus explains this also establishes each person with a task. He says because there are so many people, an operation like this needs clarity in who is doing what.

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Officer Wichus notes it might seem like there is a long chain of command but during a detail they are able to clear up who answers to who and he feels if that is chain of command is short, things can run a lot smoother.

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While body recoveries are not common around the area, with the amount of leisure water areas, Whichus says it is good for his peers and other agencies to be ready.

In February, a Decatur man's body was found in Lake Decatur in which agencies used sonar equipment in the search for him.