Governor Kathy Hochul announced 20 new graduates from the 18th Basic School of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) Police Academy. After six months of intense training, these new officers will be assigned regionally to serve New York’s 250 parks and state historic sites. Last year, those sites attracted a record 84 million visits.
“Today, we recognize 20 new officers who have stepped up to protect the people of New York,” Governor Hochul said. “The members of the New York State Park Police work every day to protect our State Park visitors, using their specialized training to respond to all types of situations. On behalf of all New Yorkers, congratulations and thank you to all graduates and their families.”
Graduation was held at the Hall of Springs at Saratoga Spa State Park. For the past six months, the recruits were in residential training at the State Park Police Academy in Rensselaerville, Albany County.
New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said, “After going through rigorous training, we are proud to welcome these new graduates to our Park Police ranks. Their dedication will help keep a safe and welcoming environment for the millions of visitors who join us each year. As we celebrate our system’s Centennial, we want to let our patrons know of the support from Gov. Hochul, the legislature, and our law enforcement leadership that help keep parks and sites safe.”
State Parks Assistant Director of Park Police Col. Michael Daddona said, “Congratulations to this new class of park police officers. Your dedication and support from your families make this an extremely important day. I look forward to the next step in learning from our dedicated team at the New York State Park Police. Their training prepares them for a challenging and rewarding career – from law enforcement, investigations and extreme weather – on New York State’s forests, waterways and trails.”
Training for recruits consists of classroom education in Criminal Procedure Law, Penal Law, Vehicle and Traffic Law, Park and Recreation Law, criminal investigations and a host of other police-related topics. In addition, the recruits received hands-on training in firearms, first response, snowmobile operation, ATV operation, emergency vehicle operation and a wide variety of other law enforcement related topics. The new officers will begin a 10-week field training program April 8, where they will receive supervised training from senior officers, followed by assignment to patrol responsibilities.
The following graduates received special recognition awards:
- Officer Ryan Lee of Massapequa, NY, Leadership Award
- Officer Benedict Reitzel of Bay Shore, NY, Academic Achievement Award
- Officer Benedict Reitzel of Bay Shore, NY, Physical Fitness Award
- Officer Bailey Faldetta of Lagrangeville, NY, Firearms Proficiency Award
Names, hometowns and regional assignments of the graduates are listed below are listed below:
| Name (Hometown) | Post Field Training Assignment District / Zone |
| Officer John O’Connor (Plainview) | Western/Niagara |
| Officer Nicolas Pacanowski (Lancaster) | Western/Niagara |
| Officer William Girzone (East Amherst) | Hudson Valley/New York City |
| Officer Keith Swartz (Fillmore) | Western/Allegany |
| Officer Tyler Erickson (Hamburg) | Western/Allegany |
| Officer Jarod Ruffle (Rochester) | Mid-State/Finger Lakes |
| Officer Lawrence Kroon (Van Hornesville) | Hudson Valley/Palisades |
| Officer Lauren Keenan (Glens Falls) | Hudson Valley/Palisades |
| Officer Kyle Ogden (Queensbury) | Hudson Valley/Palisades |
| Officer Kyle Foss (Monticello) | Hudson Valley/Palisades |
| Officer Johan Worum (Tomkins Cove) | Hudson Valley/Palisades |
| Officer Dimitirios Christodoulou (Mohegan Lake) | Hudson Valley/Palisades |
| Officer Bailey Faldetta (Lagrangeville) | Hudson Valley/New York City |
| Officer Racquel Casano (Garden City South) | Hudson Valley/New York City |
| Officer Brian Durcan (Nesconset) | Hudson Valley/New York City |
| Officer Ryan Lee (Massapequa) | Hudson Valley/New York City |
| Officer Brandon Musallam (West Hempstead) | Hudson Valley/New York City |
| Officer Michael Olsen (Patchogue) | Hudson Valley/New York City |
| Officer Michael Simmons (Merrick) | Hudson Valley/New York City |
| Officer Benedict Reitzel (Bay Shore) | Hudson Valley/Palisades |
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which saw a record 84 million visits in 2023.
