Wildlife Commission swears in 15 new officers

RALEIGH — The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Law Enforcement Division swore in 15 new wildlife law enforcement officers at the 58^th Basic School graduation ceremony yesterday in West End.

Officers took an oath to enforce criminal laws, including conservation and boating laws, and to faithfully and impartially execute the duties of a North Carolina law enforcement officer. Graduates will now begin six months of on-the-job training under the supervision of a veteran wildlife officer. Upon completion of field training, they will be assigned a permanent duty station within the state.

The roster of new North Carolina Wildlife Law Enforcement Officers includes (in alphabetical order by last name):

1. Cooper Abernathy, Morganton
2. Carson Billings, Elkin
3. Haywood Brantley, Spring Hope
4. Cole Burch, Sylva
5. Dern Crilley, Bladenboro
6. Hunter Gray, Valley City, Ohio
7. Spencer Hamilton, Sophia
8. Stephan Hawrysch, Loris, South Carolina
9. Chance Herron, Troy
10. Nathan Kreitman, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
11. Devon McGuire, Boone
12. Joseph Pepoli, Fitchburg, Massachusetts
13. Omar Petty, Kings Mountain
14. Nathaniel Schott, Pylesville, Maryland
15. Sam Shepperd, Indian Trail

Wildlife law enforcement officer trainees are required to pass an extensive background, psychological and physical screening before entering an intensive accredited academy conducted by the agency’s Law Enforcement Division. This year’s class started their training in January at the N.C. Department of Public Safety Samarcand Training Academy in Jackson Springs, where most of their basic law enforcement training was conducted.

Over seven months, officers completed conservation-specific training on fish and wildlife laws, motorboat accident investigation and protected species. Instruction also covered statutory and investigation procedures, defensive tactics, fish and game laws, and pursuit driving and boating.