DEC graduates 44 new officers

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced the graduation of 30 Environmental Conservation Police Officers and 14 Forest Rangers from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s 22nd Basic School for Uniformed Officers.

The 44 new officers received their diplomas in a formal ceremony at the Expo Center at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse.

“Forest Rangers and Environmental Conservation Police Officers work in communities across the state to protect and preserve New York’s abundant natural resources,” Cuomo said in a news release.

“I congratulate the men and women who graduated today and am confident these officers will carry on New York’s rich tradition of environmental stewardship as they protect the health and safety of New Yorkers and visitors alike,” Cuomo added.

The Basic School began May 19 and ran for 29 weeks at the DEC Office of Public Protection’s Training Academy in Pulaski, Oswego County, located along the Salmon River.

Training and coursework included Environmental Conservation Law, criminal procedure, vehicle and traffic laws, physical conditioning, firearms, wildlife identification, emergency vehicle operations, search and rescue, land navigation, boating and wildfire suppression.

The 22nd Basic School graduates are from communities across New York State and include:

Environmental Conservation Police Officers

ECO Stephanie D. Anderson, West Islip

ECO Aric J. Boyes, Neversink

ECO Christine M. Brussell, Oxford

Northport

ECO Garrett C. Cacciola,

ECO Heather L. Carl, Westerlo

ECO Jacob A. Clark, Camden

ECO Evan P. Crisafulli, Colonie

ECO Shane M. Currey Jr., Buf-falo

ECO Christopher M. Doroski, Troy

ECO Nicole B. DuChene, Oneida

ECO Daniel E. Franz, Rome

ECO Colton C. Garrand, North Bangor

ECO Murel E. Lovgren, Pulaski

ECO Casey J. Mangels, Cortlandt Manor

ECO Brent E. McCarthy, Hartford

ECO Shawn M. Michalet, Springfield

ECO Darren M. Milliron, Pulaski

ECO Jared F. Newell, Queensbury

ECO Lawrence S. Pabes, West Hempstead

ECO Paul J. Pansini, Staten Island

ECO Glen K. Parker, Fredonia

ECO Brennan M. Parmelee, Latham

ECO Connor S. Paschke, Saranac Lake

ECO Nicholas R. Perkins, Schenectady

ECO Joshua P. Schneider, Black River

ECO Dylan K. Schuck, Putnam Valley

ECO Alexander F. Shea, Eden

ECO April L. Small, Greene

ECO Loren W. Traynor, North Bangor

ECO Joshua K. Veloski, Springville Forest Rangers FR Anastasia E. Allwine, Syracuse

FR Griggsby T. Cowart III, Cornwall

FR Jenna K. Curcio, Cranberry Lake

FR Stephen W. Ellis, Tupper Lake

FR John S. Gullen, Tupper Lake

FR Scott A. Hicks, Islip

FR Steven R. Jackson, Selkirk

FR Daniel H. Jahn, Warwick

FR Tyler R. Mitchell, Guilderland FR Jacob M. Murphy, West Monroe FR John R. Scott, Buffalo FR Jacob C. Skudlarek, Randolph FR Erin E. Stoddard, Cicero

FR Cameron J. Sweeney, Kingston “New York’s Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Forest Rangers have been serving on the front lines since the late 1800s, protecting New York’s environment, natural resources, and communities. I applaud these recruits for selecting a noble career and have no doubt they will continue to safeguard the health of our air, land, water, and wildlife for generations to come,” Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Basil Seggos said.

In 2020, DEC will mark a critical milestone for the future of Ranger and ECO training, recognizing the legacy of these two public protection forces.

ECOs, originally called Game Protectors, were first appointed in 1880 and undertake actions ranging from investigating deer poaching and checking fishing licenses on local waterways to conducting surveillance on corporate chemical dumping.

Across the state in 2018, ECOs responded to more than 21,668 calls and issued more than 20,665 tickets.

“This extensive and rigorous 29-week training course prepares our recruits to face a diverse workload of cases in both general law enforcement and environmental law. These men and women are committed to protecting New Yorkers from environmental pollution by enforcing clean air and water regulations, supporting fish and wildlife laws, and investigating major environmental crimes. I’m proud and thrilled for them to join our ranks,” Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Law Enforcement Director Bernard Rivers said.

Originally known as Fire Wardens, Forest Rangers were established in 1885 with the creation of the Forest Preserve. Their duties focus on protecting state lands and forests and include search and rescue missions, wildfire suppression and educating the public on the safe use of state lands. In 2018, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 346 search-and-rescue-missions, extinguished 105 wildfires that burned a total of 845 acres, participated in 24 prescribed fires that burned and rejuvenated 611 acres and worked on cases that resulted in 2,354 tickets or arrests.

“DEC’s Forest Rangers are entrusted to protect New York’s vast natural resources and the people who come from near and far to enjoy them. The men and women we celebrate today have learned the essential skills necessary to provide public safety and enforce state environmental laws both in the mountainous backcountry and in communities across the state. I look forward to working with each of them in fulfilling our important mission,” Department of Environmental Conservation Division of Forest Protection Director Eric Lahr said.

The graduating class will join the ranks of 275 ECOs and 131 Forest Rangers currently serving across the state. Recruits in this newest class were selected from an eligible list of qualifications and passing scores generated from the most recent Civil Service exam, which was given in 2016.