Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

First time State Parks has two graduating classes in one year

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) today welcomed 29 new graduates to the New York State Park Police ranks. After six months of intense training in the 19^th Basic School at the State Parks Police Academy, these new officers will be assigned to serve New York's 250 state parks, historic sites and recreational facilities serving more than 84 million visitors.

"Thanks to Governor Hochul, our State Parks Police force continues to grow," said New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons. "In addition to being the first time we have two graduating classes in less than a year, we have seen a raise in officers' salaries statewide and added resources which shows the safety commitment Governor Hochul and New York State has made. This graduating class is well trained and dedicated to New York State's parks and historic sites. State Parks continues to emphasize and is proud of the strategies undertaken to advance women in policing, including recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, and agency culture. These officers will ensure a safe and welcoming environment for the millions of visitors who join us each year."

Park Police Chief Michael Daddona said, "Congratulations to this new class of park police officers. Your dedication and the support from your families make this an extremely important day. I look forward to watching your career develop from one end of the state to the other. New York State Park Police training prepares you for challenging and rewarding experiences – from law enforcement, investigations and extreme weather – in New York State's forests, waterways and trails."

For the first time, State Parks has had two graduating classes in one year. It was held today at the Hall of Springs at Saratoga Spa State Park. This class joins 214 current members of the department. Recruits were in residential training for the past six months at the State Park Police Academy in Rensselaerville, Albany County. They completed the first Park Police summer academy, which began on June 23, 2024.

This class achieves Governor Hochul's 30X30 Pledge to increase the percentage of female recruits to 30 percent by 2030. This class is at 34 percent – 10 female and 19 male. The Pledge is a series of actions policing agencies are taking to improve representation and experiences of women in law enforcement.

Training for recruits consists of classroom education in Criminal Procedure Law, Penal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Park and Recreation Law, criminal investigations and a host of other police-related topics. In addition, the recruits received hands-on training in firearms, first response, snowmobile operation, ATV operation, emergency vehicle operation and a wide variety of other law enforcement related topics. The new officers will begin a 10-week field training program where they will receive supervised training from senior officers, followed by assignment to patrol responsibilities.

The following graduates received special recognition awards:

• Officer Nicholas Fusco of Smithtown, NY, earns both the Physical Fitness and Leadership Awards
• Officer Michael Bodnar of Shoreham, NY, Firearms Proficiency Award
• Officer Daria Black of New Hyde Park, NY, Academic Achievement Award

Effective January 6, 2025, the members listed below will be assigned in the Districts and Zones indicated to complete Supervised Field Training. Upon successful completion of the Division's Supervised Field Training Program, they will report to their Post Field Training Assignment Zone.

Name  (Hometown)                                         Post Field Training District / Zone

Officer Otto Pleakis (Allegany)                                    Allegany

Officer Sahidul Islam (Albany)                                    Central

Officer Blaise Sutton ( Utica)                                      Central

Officer Vincent Alesi (Locust Valley)                            Finger Lakes

Officer Amber Dillenbeck (Sharon Springs)                  Finger Lakes

Officer Ryan Beutel (Hilton)                                        Genesee

Officer Carla Martinez (Lawrence)                               Genesee

Officer Samantha Turner (Nanuet)                              Genesee

Officer Daria Black (New Hyde Park)                           New York City

Officer Michael Bodnar (Shoreham)                            New York City

Officer Stephanie Carcamo (West Hempstead)             New York City

Officer Gianna Dickson (Hauppauge)                           New York City

Officer James Fisenne (Wantagh)                                New York City

Officer Nicholas Fusco (Smithtown)                             New York City

Officer Robert Gitto (Massapequa Park)                        New York City

Officer Arnold Hillian (Baldwin)                                    New York City

Officer Kyle Walsh (Massapequa)                                 New York City

Officer Nicholas Anzalone (Grand Island)                      Niagara

Officer Md Iqbal Hossain (Queens)                               Niagara

Officer Alan Lin (Monticello)                                         Niagara

Officer Daniel Aldrich (Airmont)                                    Palisades

Officer Timothy Bazylewicz (Farmingdale)                     Palisades

Officer Aleah Gonzalez (Patchogue)                               Palisades

Officer Brandon Jennings (Greenwood Lake)                 Palisades

Officer Matthew Parrillo (Medford)                                Palisades

Officer John Menconeri (Wappingers Falls)                     Taconic

Officer Sabrina Salazar-Arango (White Plains)                Taconic

Officer Enma Bautista (East Patchogue)                         Thousand Islands

Officer Maddy Chamberlain (Adams)                              Thousand Islands

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us for our new Wellness Challenge, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and the OPRHP Blog.