DOW adds 16 new managers to its ranks

DOW adds 16 new managers to its ranks

Sept 1, 2001

BY THE COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE

DENVER — The Colorado Division of Wildlife has added 16 new wildlife managers to its ranks. Division officials are looking to the new recruits to provide the residents of Colorado with years of outstanding service because of potential they have shown in their training.

The 2001 class of officers graduated from Red Rocks Community College Law Enforcement Academy and took their P.O.S.T. (Peace Officer Standards and Training) exam in order to achieve Colorado Peace Officer certification.

The new officers completed both field and classroom training, where they were educated in wildlife–related public relations, wildlife fishery and habitat management. The officers also earned certification in several natural-resource education programs.

The officers will now participate in a ride-along program, where they will work with experienced officers to enhance their training. Upon successful completion of the program, the officers will be assigned to a district Jan. 31.

During the course of their 16-week training, the officers completed over 700 hours in: Laws of arrest, search and seizure, officer survival, use of force, civil liability, suspect/witness interview and interrogation, proficiency in firearms, arrest control, batons and law-enforcement driving.

To ensure the Division is hiring the highest quality of people to protect and enhance the state’s wildlife resources, there is an in-depth hiring process, including a background check and oral interview process. The 16 new officers were chosen from 115 qualified applicants. The Division recruits at most one class of officers per year. Each officer must have a biology degree.

There are currently 135 district wildlife managers employed with the Division. Wildlife managers face the unique challenge of protecting and enhancing wildlife resources inhabiting the 103,598 square miles of Colorado’s plains, mountains, lakes, reservoirs and streams.

Gary Berlin, human resources and training program administrator for the Division, believes the current class demonstrated they are consistent with the high standards the Division has set for employees in the field.

"The P.O.S.T. exam is a rigorous exam and the competition is pretty stiff," Berlin said. "Our people took eight out of the top 10 spots in the class. They should make excellent wildlife managers. I am pleased with the quality of people that we are putting in the field. I am confident they are ready for the task at hand."

Red Rocks Law Enforcement Academy director Jim Alexander said the Division always recruits outstanding men and women for officer positions, but the most recent class stood out as exceptional wildlife officers.

"This class was really an exceptional group," Alexander said, "I would expect to see some great things from them in the future."

As district wildlife managers, the officers’ talents will need to be broader than just law enforcement: Wildlife managers serve as the Division’s front-line representatives and interact with the public, landowners, schools and conservation groups. Each wildlife manager is responsible for a geographic district where he or she is expected to be proficient at performing wildlife management and law enforcement-related activities.

The 2001 class of officers includes: Anne Mangusso, Bailey Franklin, Brandon Diamond, Chad Morgan, Darren Chacon, Gene Abram, Gordon Mullen, Jason Trousdale, Jeremy Gallegos, Jon Ewert, Justin Martens, Justin Pollock, Kenna Claunch, Kevin Duckett, Michael Wedermyer and Stephanie Durno.