Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

May 16, 2008

Contact:
Eileen Larrabee
Dan Keefe
518.486.1868

State Parks Welcomes 36 Park Police Academy Graduates

Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash and Director of Law Enforcement Richard O'Donnell today announced the graduation of 36 recruits from the 9th Session of the New York State Park Police Academy.

"I welcome these highly trained professionals to our State Park system, where we count on them to protect and serve millions of visitors to New York's exceptional parks and historic sites each year," said Ash. "They're prepared to respond to the challenges that lie ahead in a safe, courteous and effective manner. By keeping our facilities safe and secure - while also serving as the face of State Parks with professional, friendly assistance - our park police officers are crucial to helping our patrons fully enjoy their visits."

"Congratulations to our new park police officers," said O'Donnell. "Their training has prepared them for a challenging and rewarding career - protecting some of New York State's greatest natural assets and the millions of people who visit them. As they head out into the field, from Niagara Falls to the Atlantic Coast, I look forward to working with them to provide this essential public service to the people of New York State."

The 36 recruits completed a six-month residential academy training program, consisting 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, basic boat operation, rope rescue, and emergency vehicle operation.

The new officers will be assigned to regional commands throughout the state. They will begin a 10-week field training program where they will receive supervised training from senior officers. These new officers will be assigned to patrol responsibilities, maintaining Commissioner Ash's commitment to essential public safety standards.

For the past nine years, training academies were held at various facilities throughout the state. Plans are currently underway to convert the Office of Children and Family Services facility at Camp Cass in Rensselaerville, Albany County to a new permanent State Park Police Academy, beginning in the fall of 2008.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation administers 178 parks and 35 state historic sites, which attract over 55 million visitors each year. For more information about state parks and historic sites in New York, please visit www.nysparks.com.

The graduating class by name and county of origin:

Anderson, Drew - Chautauqua
Basile, Anthony - Orange
Caltabiano, Christopher - Nassau
Caton, Edward J. - Genesee
Collett, Brain M. - Erie
Cramer, Kevin A. - Niagara
Fuller, Christopher - Madison
Goodman, Alex - Nassau
Guida, Biagio - Schenectady
Hora, Mary - Suffolk
Horr, David - Oneida
Irizarry, Daniel - Steuben
Kaiser, Heidi - Wyoming
Karlsen, Kati - Seneca
Krypel, Edward - Erie
Krypel, Matthew - Erie
Leonard, Robert - Nassau
Ludwig, Kristina - Delaware
Matteo, Brain - Suffolk
McCarville, Andrew - Suffolk
Mecum, Kiel - Seneca
O'Connell, Richard - Bronx
Parkes, Kyle - Saratoga
Protosow, James - Suffolk
Puckett, Justin - Saratoga
Ruhe, Chris - Dutchess
Salvatore, Matthew - Greene
Shields, Joseph - Saratoga
Sklaruk, Ivan - Nassau
Stetzko, Mark - Erie
Szkatulski, Eric - Cattaraugus
Tarkowski, Joshua - St. Lawrence
Vience, Michael - Nassau
Welch, Daniel - Onondaga
Whalen, Mark - St. Lawrence
White, Brenton - Broome

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