For Release: Friday, June 3, 2005

Newest Class of ECOs, Forest Rangers and Park Police Graduate

85 Recruits Completed 6th/16th Joint Basic Training Academy to Fill Ranks for DEC and OPRHP

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Acting Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan and Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) Commissioner Bernadette Castro today announced the graduation of 41 Park Police Officers, 32 Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) and 12 Forest Rangers from the Joint Training Academy on Friday, June 3, 2005 at State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego. The training academy was the 6th Basic Academy for OPRHP and the 16th for DEC.

"Today, New York entrusts these graduates with the preservation and protection of our natural resources," Commissioner Sheehan said. "Our new Forest Rangers will be given the enormous task to help protect more than four million acres of State land from forest fire and other damages. They will brave freezing temperatures and summer heat to rescue people lost or injured in the wilderness. Our new ECOs will help ensure the proper protection of our air, water, land, and wildlife through the enforcement of New York State's tough environmental conservation laws and regulations. Today's graduates will be a proud addition to our dedicated force of Forest Rangers and ECOs."

"As a result of Governor Pataki's continuing commitment to our law enforcement programs, millions of visitors to our award-winning State parks and historic sites are provided with the highest level of security by our State Park Police," Commissioner Castro said. "From Jones Beach to Niagara Falls, Park Police work season after season to ensure the safety of our patrons. Graduation from the Basic School is just the first step in a long and rewarding career in law enforcement."

The Academy class graduating today started in December 2004 with 97 recruits. The 85 successful graduates of the Academy come from 38 counties across New York State. They range in age from 21 to 50 years old. There are nine women in the graduating class (two Forest Rangers, two ECOs, and five Park Police).

The new Park Police, ECOs and Rangers will bring staffing levels to full strength. Members of this year's class completed the six-month, in-residence training program conducted at SUNY Oswego. The program included a demanding 26 weeks of training in a variety of subjects including: the Environmental Conservation, Criminal Procedure, Penal, and Vehicle and Traffic laws; physical conditioning; firearms; wildlife identification; administrative procedures; emergency vehicle operations; search and rescue; land navigation; boating; and fire suppression. The new Park Police, ECOs and Rangers were selected from existing civil service examination lists.

Following graduation from the basic school, officers are required to complete the Field Officer Training Program, and receive additional on-the-job training. All of the graduating officers have been assigned to regional patrol operations; primarily in the downstate area. They will bolster the law enforcement programs of each agency, helping to ensure the safety and enjoyment of New York's State Parks, natural resources, and other State lands.

ECOs are Police Officers who enforce all New York State laws. Their responsibilities center on the enforcement of New York's environmental laws and regulations, and on the detection and investigation of suspected violations. They work for DEC and are also specifically authorized to enforce the State Environmental Conservation Law, which includes the management of fish and wildlife, solid and hazardous waste, hazardous substances, and air and water pollution.

Forest Rangers are multi-faceted peace officers that work for DEC. They conduct search-and-rescue operations, manage wildfires, help manage public and forest lands, and provide law enforcement and public education. ECOs and Rangers serve together under DEC's Office of Public Protection.

Park Police Officers are highly trained professionals that work for OPRHP to help ensure proper use of State parks, campgrounds, historic sites, and waterways. They enforce federal and state; parks and recreation; navigation and environmental conservation; vehicle and traffic laws. They are skilled in investigation, rescue and emergency services. In addition, Park Police Officers provide education and training to individuals on proper use and safety of boats and snowmobiles. They also provide information, assistance, and protection to visitors to New York State's parks and historic sites.

The Academy was held at the DEC Training Center located in the historic Sheldon Hall on the campus of SUNY Oswego. The college provided housing, classrooms and office space as well as a gymnasium, pool and training rooms for exercise use by the academy during the day. Nearby Lake Ontario provided recruits open water conditions for watercraft training and the Salmon River was utilized as a classroom for various enforcement training techniques.

The following awards were given to Park Police, ECO, and Ranger graduates who showed exceptional skill, academic achievement, or personal character during the academy:

John P. Cahill Award: ECO Chrisman Starczek of Cicero
New York Conservation Officers Association (NYCOA) award: ECO Jamie P. Powers of Clarence Center
ECO Council 82 Local 1873 Award: ECO Brandon C. Chamberlin of Dansville
ECO Physical Training Achievement Award: ECO Jeremy T. Eastwood of Elmira
ECO Academic Achievement Award: ECO Joshua J. Crain of Hornell
ECO Firearms Proficiency Award: ECO Gregory I.G. Herz of Binghamton
Park Police Leadership Award: PO Jonathan M. Dispenza of Silver Creek
Park Police Physical Training Achievement Award: PO Jonathan M. Dispenza of Silver Creek
Park Police Academic Achievement Award: PO Jason P. Murphy of Oakfield
Park Police Firearms Proficiency Award: PO Bryan S. Norris of Auburn
Forest Ranger Academic Achievement Award: Ranger David G. Russell of Syracuse
Forest Ranger Firearms Proficiency Award: Ranger Joseph L. Bink of Petersburgh

The following is a list of DEC graduates and their home towns:

ECO Kurt M. Bush of Newcomb
ECO Timmy L. Card of Maryland
ECO Brandon C. Chamberlin of Dansville
ECO Jeffrey R. Conway of Bloomingburg
ECO Joshua J. Crain of Hornell
ECO Jason T. Curinga of Constantia
ECO Erik C. Dalecki of Burdett
ECO James R. Davey IV of Hopewell Junction
ECO Nathan J. Doig of Andes
ECO Darci E. Dougherty of Troy
ECO Jeremy T. Eastwood of Elmira
ECO Brian R. Farrish of Mattituck
ECO Russell F. Fetterman of Clayville
ECO Vernon V. Fonda of Rensselaer
ECO Carlton P. Gill of Hamburg
ECO Anthony J. Glorioso of Wappingers Falls
ECO Ricardo Grisolini of Earlville
ECO Gregory I.G. Herz of Binghamton
ECO Matthew W. LaCroix of Cazenovia
ECO John A. Lifrieri of Wellsburg
ECO Shane M. Manns of Albany
ECO Nathaniel E. Mead of Angola
ECO Jamie P. Powers of Clarence Center
ECO Jason M. Powers of Clarence Center
ECO Stephen M. Scognamillo of Bayport
ECO Chrisman Starczek of Cicero
ECO Michael J. Unger of New Hyde Park
ECO Joshua P. Ver Hague of North Tonowanda
ECO A. Charles Wilson of Batavia
ECO Gary D. Wilson of Scottsville
ECO Scott A. Yacavone of McLean
ECO Alena Zajic of Yaphank
Forest Ranger Joseph L. Bink of Petersburgh
Forest Ranger Robert B. Dawson of Schenectady
Forest Ranger Evan F. Donegan of Schenectady
Forest Ranger Marie C. Ellenbogen of Kingston
Forest Ranger Gregory W. Hoag of Rome
Forest Ranger Delbert W. Jeffery of Saranac Lake
Forest Ranger Ian M. Kerr of Greenwich
Forest Ranger Gary W. Miller of Forestport
Forest Ranger David L. Pachan of Ballston Spa
Forest Ranger David G. Russell of Syracuse
Forest Ranger Jason S. Scott of Gilboa
Forest Ranger Joan T. Staples of Woodhull

The following is a list of OPRHP graduates and their home towns:

PO Michael T. Anderson of Batavia
PO Victor Angueira of West Hempstead
PO Frank T. Beaver of Niagara Falls
PO Michael T. Bilardello of Farmingdale
PO Brian K. Bloom of North Tonowanda
PO Christopher G. Booker of Alden
PO Jessica J. Bottega of Northport
PO Amber M. Brooks of Elmira
PO Stefanie K. Cangelosi of Albany
PO Ryan J. Clancy of Hornell
PO James D. Cleary of Lancaster
PO Jonathan M. Dispenza of Silver Creek
PO John J. Fitzwilliam of Bethpage
PO Brian S. Graham of Lancaster
PO Jason P. Grippen of Tonowanda
PO Larry D. Hicks of West Chazy
PO Lucas J. Kieffer of Williamsville
PO Dustin T. Lottie of Cadyville
PO Jesse L. Mack of Buffalo
PO James W. Marzec of Depew
PO Patrick R. McKeever of Philadelphia
PO Jason P. Murphy of Oakfield
PO Bryan S. Norris of Auburn
PO Chadd V. O'Hora of Auburn
PO David M. Oun of Lancaster
PO Craig E. Reichert of Baldwinsville
PO Keith R. Reynolds of Bear Mountain
PO Timothy Rizzuto of Rockville Center
PO Nicholas J. Robbins of Oswego
PO Christopher E. Rola of Hamburg
PO Bryan D. Royston of Naples
PO Joseph A. Terracciano of Plainedge
PO Jason F. Timko of Yorktown
PO Bridget E. Topping of Amherst
PO Amy L. Trapiss of Adams
PO Nelson A. Villarroel of Depew
PO Steven M. Will of Binghamton
PO Stewart W. Wilson of Elbridge
PO Trevor I. Young of Stony Point
PO Daniel E. Zlotek of Depew

05-59