PA Game Commission Enrolls 28th Class of WCO Cadets

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Game Commission's 28th Class of Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Cadets recently took up residence at the agency's Ross Leffler School of Conservation, which adjoins the headquarters building along Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg.

The class, comprising 23 men and one woman, will undergo 49 weeks of training, including field duty with veteran officers, before graduation in March of 2011, which will mark the 75th Anniversary of the agency's graduation of its first class of WCOs.  

"The 24 individuals who made it into the 28th Class were chosen from a field of more than 900 applications," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.  "They now will be challenged to successfully complete the 49 weeks of intensive training.  Those who pass will join a proud team of Wildlife Conservation Officers, and be entrusted by the public to protect and conserve Pennsylvania's wildlife resources and habitats and enforce the state's hunting and trapping laws."

Cadets were selected through a series of written tests, interview boards and physical examinations. Training will include subjects such as: wildlife management; law enforcement; legal procedures; physical fitness; firearms proficiency; unarmed self-defense; land management practices; computer skills; conservation education; and public relations. Cadets will be evaluated throughout the weeks and required to meet stringent standards to continue.

Upon graduation, each cadet will be commissioned a Wildlife Conservation Officer and given an assignment within the Commonwealth.  Following a probationary period of at least one year, the WCO's performance will be evaluated and, if acceptable, he/she will be granted permanent status.  Continued training will be required on a regular basis for certain skills, such as firearms proficiency and legal updates.  Other advanced skills training may be offered on a voluntary basis.

Of the 24 individuals enrolled in this class, 13 have college or advanced degrees; six are veterans; nine have served as Deputy WCOs for the Game Commission; three had served as full-time Game Commission employees in other capacities; and two worked for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.  Other careers included probation and parole officers; security officers; construction foreman; cook; electrician; sales technician; utility line worker; business owner; corrections officer; forklift driver; bank customer services associate; counselor; sales manager; animal care technician; lawn care business crew leader; and aquatics specialist.

The minimum age of those enrolled is 24 years, the maximum is 50 years.

Officer cadets and their hometowns are: Steven Ace, Knox, Clarion County; Kevin Anderson, New Bloomfield, Perry County; Christopher Bergman, Monongahela, Washington County; Edward Berryman, Zionsville, Lehigh County; Ronda Bimber, Lucinda, Clarion County; Brandon Bonin, Patton, Cambria County; Daniel Bookser, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County; Matthew Chipego, Noxen, Wyoming County; Jeremy Coughenour, Berlin, Somerset County; Eric Erdman, Milton, Northumberland County; Gregory Graham, Lititz, Lancaster County; Lawrence Harris, Northampton, Northampton County; Kevin Halbfoerster, Bath, Northampton County; Kyle Jury, Halifax, Dauphin County; Jason Kelley, Rome, Bradford County; A. Wade Kramer, Lancaster, Lancaster County; Matthew Lucas, Ebensburg, Cambria County; Richard Macklem II, McElhatton, Clinton County; Daniel Murray, Elizabethtown, Lancaster County; Shawn Musser, New Cumberland, York County; Jacob Olexsak, Butler, Butler County; Michael Papinchak, Murrysville, Westmoreland County; Brian Singer, Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County; and Philip White, Bear Creek, Luzerne County.

The Game Commission has budgeted nearly $2 million to train these 24 individuals, who will help fill vacant districts throughout the state.  The agency anticipates that there may be as many as 31 vacant districts before the class graduates in March.  

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SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission