LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Twenty-three recruits have graduated from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources‘ conservation officer training program.
A ceremony was held Friday at the training academy in Lansing, where the recruits completed 14 weeks of instruction in general law enforcement and eight weeks dealing with the conservation officer specialty.
The next step for the new officers is 18 weeks of field training, working with more experienced conservation officers.
DNR conservation officers are certified police officers with authority to enforce Michigan’s criminal laws. They also have unique training in areas related to natural resource protection.
Department Director Keith Creagh says the newcomers will fill “critical vacancies.”