Michigan academy graduates 15 new conservation officers

Lansing — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Training Academy hosted a graduation recently at the Ralph A. MacMullan Center in Roscommon. Staff welcomed 15 officers into the ranks of some of the most highly trained law enforcement professionals in the state.

“We proudly welcome a new generation of conservation officers – protectors of public lands and all of the natural and cultural resources that belong to the people of Michigan,” said Shannon Lott, DNR deputy director. “Stepping into this unique law enforcement role demands courage, creativity, and integrity, characteristics these officers have exemplified throughout the academy. We thank them for their willingness to serve and we wish them each a long, safe and rewarding career.”

The officers of Training Academy No. 13 completed one of the most competitive law enforcement academies in the state.

“This group of officers demonstrated commitment, discipline and teamwork to accomplish extensive training on a variety of natural resource and general criminal topics,” said Jason Haines, chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Our department values these individuals who have dedicated themselves to be frontline defenders of Michigan’s great outdoors and cooperative educators for all who enjoy those resources, as well as the officers’ families who have supported this journey.”

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New officers, their hometowns and permanent county assignments upon completing field training are:

• Zachary Adams, from Commerce Township, assigned to Oakland County.

• Alexander Arndt, from Auburn, assigned to Saginaw County.

• Matthew Bowser, from Crystal Falls, assigned to Delta County.

• Maxwell Bradford, from Houston, Texas, assigned to Kalamazoo County.

• Joseph Budnick, from Marquette, assigned to Mackinac County.

• Alexander French, from Sault Ste. Marie, assigned to Luce County.

• Raymond Gagnon, from Calumet, assigned to Gogebic County.

• Olivia Haerr, from Danvers, Illinois, assigned to Baraga County.

• Joel Hill, from Belleville, assigned to Wayne County.

• Cody Longrey, from Coldwater, assigned to Hillsdale County.

• Nico Luna, from Fenton, assigned to Oscoda County.

• Tyler Owen, from Jackson, assigned to Otsego County.

• Cody Simmons, from Caseville, assigned to Huron County.

• Andrew Werth, from Dearborn, assigned to Wayne County.

• Evan White, from Milford, assigned to Alpena County.

Partnered with veteran officers, the new officers will immediately begin their probationary field training. This includes working multiple counties throughout the state with field training officers before reporting to their permanent assignments.

While their primary mission is to enforce fish, game, recreational and natural resource protection laws, COs serve a unique role as certified law enforcement officers with authority to enforce all of Michigan’s criminal laws. Because of their specialized training and versatility, COs often are first responders to situations involving search and rescue, missing persons, medical emergencies and public safety threats.

Founded in 1887, the DNR Law Enforcement Division is Michigan’s oldest statewide law enforcement agency. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.