LANSING — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Training Academy hosted graduation Thursday at the Ralph A. MacMullan Center in Roscommon, welcoming 15 officers into the ranks of some of the most highly trained law enforcement professionals in the state.

“We proudly welcome a new generation of conservation officers — protectors of public lands and all of the natural and cultural resources that belong to the people of Michigan,” said Shannon Lott, DNR deputy director. “Stepping into this unique law enforcement role demands courage, creativity and integrity, characteristics these officers have exemplified throughout the academy. We thank them for their willingness to serve and we wish them each a long, safe and rewarding career.”

The officers of Training Academy No. 13 completed one of the most competitive law enforcement academies in the state.

“This group of officers demonstrated commitment, discipline and teamwork to accomplish extensive training on a variety of natural resource and general criminal topics,” said Jason Haines, chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Our department values these individuals who have dedicated themselves to be frontline defenders of Michigan’s great outdoors and cooperative educators for all who enjoy those resources, as well as the officers’ families who have supported this journey.”

Officer assignments in the Upper Peninsula are:

— Matthew Bowser, Crystal Falls, assigned to Delta County.

— Joseph Budnick, Marquette, assigned to Mackinac County.

— Alexander French, Sault Ste. Marie, assigned to Luce County.

— Raymond Gagnon, Calumet, assigned to Gogebic County.

— Olivia Haerr, Danvers, Illinois, assigned to Baraga County.

Partnered with veteran officers, the new officers will immediately begin their probationary field training. This includes working multiple counties throughout the state with field training officers before reporting to their permanent assignments.

While their primary mission is to enforce fish, game, recreational and natural resource protection laws, COs serve a unique role as certified law enforcement officers with authority to enforce all of Michigan’s criminal laws. Because of their specialized training and versatility, COs often are first responders to situations involving search and rescue, missing persons, medical emergencies and public safety threats.

COs also receive training to operate specialized vehicles, such as four-wheel-drive trucks, off-road vehicles, snowmobiles and patrol boats — everyday tools to patrol Michigan’s lakes, rivers, streams and state-managed lands and forests.

The officers of Training Academy No. 13 completed a 26-week academy that licensed them as State of Michigan law enforcement officers through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. Additionally, recruits received training specific to enforcing the laws and rules related to natural resource protection.

“Each one of us came into the academy with a different background, life experience and a vast spectrum of talent,” said Andrew Werth, Training Academy No. 13 class speaker. “Regardless of how physically fit or mentally confident we were or weren’t coming into the academy, none of that mattered. Together as a class, we adapted, persevered and overcame challenges. We look forward to taking the leap into a new chapter of life and working with the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts.”

The first 18 weeks of training took place at the Michigan State Police Training Academy facility in Lansing, where recruits were trained by conservation officers in topics that included general criminal law, survival tactics, water safety, first aid and emergency vehicle operation.

Conservation officer staff and recruits completed the remainder of the academy at the DNR’s Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center, where recruits received specialized training in topics such as fish, game, search and rescue, off-road vehicles, firearms and trapping.

Recruits were tested through various exams and scenarios. In the scenario testing, they entered staged situations in which they had to demonstrate their learned skills to identify and resolve conflicts.

Founded in 1887, the DNR Law Enforcement Division is Michigan’s oldest statewide law enforcement agency. Learn more at Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers.