Rafael Gutierrez, chief of the IDNR Office of Law
Enforcement (far left), and IDNR Director Marc Miller
(right) are pictured with members of the 2014 Illinois
Conservation Police graduating class.
IDNR Director Miller welcomes newest Illinois Conservation Police
class
[April 03, 2014]SPRINGFIELD — Illinois
Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller
welcomed the 14 newest members of the Illinois Conservation
Police at a graduation ceremony March 28.
The recruits completed 24 weeks of intense
general law enforcement training and specific conservation police
training, totaling nearly 1,000 hours to prepare them for their new
jobs.
"We are especially proud to introduce the second class of
conservation police officers in just two years," Miller said. "I am
committed to rebuilding our conservation police force so our men and
women can provide increased protection to Illinois citizens and our
state's natural resources."
Conservation police officer recruits are first required to attend
the Illinois State Police Academy for basic law enforcement training
and certification. The ISP Academy lasts for 12 weeks and includes
480 hours of classroom instruction, practical training and scenario
training. The training covers everything from Illinois vehicle and
criminal codes to domestic violence and drug enforcement.
Upon successful completion of the ISP Academy, recruits enter the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation Police
Academy. The CPO Academy is also 12 weeks in length with 480 hours
of course work. During the CPO Academy, recruits receive classroom
instruction, practical field instruction and scenario-specific
training to develop skills of a conservation police officer that no
other training can provide.
The areas covered include the Wildlife Code, Fish and Aquatic
Life Code, Boat Registration and Safety Act, Snowmobile Registration
and Safety Act, timber enforcement, endangered and threatened
species, Migratory Waterfowl Act, defensive tactics training,
firearms training, boat operation and handling, ATV operation and
handling, and vehicle maintenance and operation with trailers.
Illinois Conservation Police officers
protect Illinois citizens and visitors in state parks, on state
waterways, and on the highways and back roads of Illinois. They
enforce game and fish laws, boat safety, timber regulations, and
drug and traffic laws. CPOs assist outdoor recreation enthusiasts in
enjoying their time outdoors safely, and they are first responders
in times of floods, tornadoes, blizzards, and other natural and
man-made disasters.
IDNR Director Marc Miller (left)
and Rafael Gutierrez (center),
chief of the IDNR Office of Law Enforcement, are pictured with
new Conservation Police Officer William Gilmer of Lincoln.
The following individuals were sworn
in March 28 as conservation police officers:
Jarrod J. Elliott,
LaHarpe
John L. Farber,
Morris
Stuart M.L. Fraser,
New Douglas
William O.
Gilmer, Lincoln
Nicholas S.
Honiotes, Joliet
Jason R. Hurt,
Peoria
Roberto Macias Jr.,
Nashville
Joshua R. Mooi,
Wheaton
Nathan L. Murry,
Pinckneyville
Nicholas A. Reid,
Joliet
Todd Anthony
Semenik, Homer Glen
Victoria Angela
Smith, Elmwood Park
Colin R. Vaughan,
McHenry
Scott E. Wagner, Malden
This new recruit class brings the total number of Illinois
Conservation Police officers to 140. During its peak in the late
1970s, Illinois Conservation Police had as many as 189 officers on
staff.
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