10 new conservation officers begin their initial field assignments

Ten new Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are in their field stations following 16 weeks of field training.

“These officers were recently added to the ‘thin green line’ sworn to serve the citizens by providing law enforcement and education programs,” said Col. Ken Soring, DNR Enforcement Division director. “We are proud to have them aboard and look forward to what they can accomplish by working with the communities they serve.”

The new officers and their field stations are: Eric Benjamin, Warroad No. 1; Hannah Cowden, Warroad No. 2; Marc Hopkins, Tower; Nick Klehr, Litchfield; Joe Kulhanek, Hastings; Bill Landmark, Moorhead; Chelsie Leuthardt, Bloomington; Nick Prachar, Baudette No. 1; Beau Shroyer, Remer; and Jim Van Asch, International Falls No. 2.

The 16-week field training followed graduation from the 12-week Conservation Officer Academy at Camp Ripley. During field training, recruits are paired with experienced conservation officers to gain on-the-job training for natural resources management and law enforcement-related activities before receiving their initial field station assignments.

“When our recruits finish our academy, we know that they have received the best training available anywhere, but we take it a step further with intensive field training with an experienced field officer,” Soring said.