News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Maureen Wren, 518-402-8000

Media Advisory

ALBANY, NY (09/25/2008; 1614)(readMedia)-- On Friday, September 26, 2008, at 11 a.m., 23 new Environmental Conservation Officers will be graduating to join the ranks of the state Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) police force. The graduation ceremony will take place at the DEC Training Academy located at the Riverside Inn, 930 South First Street, City of Fulton, Oswego County.

As police officers, DEC's Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) receive virtually the same training as that given state police recruits. They are responsible for enforcing all New York State laws, but their responsibilities focus on the enforcement of New York's environmental laws and regulations and on the detection and investigation of suspected violations. This includes the management of fish and wildlife, solid and hazardous waste, hazardous substances, and air and water quality.

Members of this year's class completed the six-month, in-residence training program conducted at DEC's temporary training academy in Fulton. This is the 18^th basic training school offered by DEC's Division of Law Enforcement. It began in March and included a demanding 26 weeks of training.

DEC officials will be joined at the ceremony by the graduates and their families. The graduates include: The graduates include:

• Matthew M. Baker of Freedom, Cattaraugus County
• Alan J. Brassard of Moriah, Essex County
• Matthew J. Clemens of Fish House, Fulton County
• Dustin S. Dainack of Hurleyville, Sullivan County
• Donald M. Damrath of South Wales, Erie County
• Eric R. Dowling of New City, Rockland County
• Nathan P. Favreau of Tupper Lake, Franklin County
• Kaitlin M. Grady of Manorville, Ulster County
• Matthew P. Krug of Castleton, Rensselaer County
• Christopher S. Lattimer of Middletown, Orange County
• Timothy Machnica of Lancaster, Erie County
• Shea M. Mathis of North Collins, Erie County
• Gregory S. Maneeley of Watertown, Jefferson County
• Matthew R. Nichols of Delhi, Delaware County
• Dustin L. Oliver of Canaseraga, Allegany County
• George W. Scheer of South Buffalo, Erie County
• Kristina L. Shephard of Osceola, Lewis County
• Neil R. Stevens of Venice Center, Cayuga County
• Joshua J. Sulkey of Catskill, Greene County
• David P. Thomas of Macedon, Wayne County
• Brent K. Wilson of Endicott, Broome County
• Joshua M. Wolgast of Amherst, Erie County
• Jared D. Woodin of Andes, Delaware County

-30-