Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

May 08, 2006

Wendy Gibson
Cathy Jimenez
518.486.1868

Newest Class Of State Parks Police Graduate

Thirty-one Recruits Complete Extensive Training at Academy

(Albany, NY... Monday, May 8, 2005) New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Bernadette Castro and Acting Director of Law Enforcement Colonel James Warwick today announced the graduates of the 7th Session of the New York State Park Police Basic Academy. The graduation ceremony was held at the New York State Police Academy in Albany on Friday, May 5, 2006.

"We are proud to welcome this class of recruits as they complete the challenging 7th Session of our Park Police Basic Academy," said Commissioner Castro. "Together with our veteran Park Police officers, these new graduates will play a vital role in our law enforcement program by helping protect the public's safety and safeguard our parklands and facilities."

Thirty-one recruits from across the state graduated after the completion of a 6-month residential academy held at the State Police Academy. Recruits began the training in early November, 2005. The training consisted of classroom education in Criminal Procedure Law, Penal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, and Parks and Recreation Law. In addition the recruits received hands on training in firearms, snowmobile operation, basic boat operation, rope rescue, and emergency vehicle operations.

Upon graduation the new officers will be assigned to regional commands throughout the state, from Long Island to Niagara Falls. The new officers will begin a 10-week Field Training Program where they will receive supervised training from a senior officer. These new officers will be assigned to patrol responsibilities. The New York State Parks system includes 175 parks, 35 historic sites, 28 golf courses, 76 beaches and more than 9,000 campsites and cabins that welcome more than 55 million visitors annually.

The graduates are listed alphabetically below:

Park Police Officers are highly trained professionals that 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 parks and historic sites.

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