DNR welcomes 24 new conservation officers

Indiana DNR Release:

INDIANAPOLIS – Two dozen new conservation officers officially joined the Indiana DNR Division of Law Enforcement during graduation ceremonies Friday at the State Capitol.

Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller administered the oath of office to the recruits, who will fill positions in various locations around the state.

“It takes a special individual who is willing to make great personal sacrifice to even get to this point,” DNR director Robert E. Carter Jr. said. “These young men are just beginning their careers with DNR, but we already are proud of them and look forward to working with them in the years to come.”

The new officers, their hometowns, and assignment locations (by county in parentheses) are: Jonathon A. Boyd, Hobart (St. Joseph County); Levi P. Clark, Birdseye (Tipton); Shane R. Cooper, Vincennes (Parke); Billy J. Doss, Cicero (Adams); Caleb A. Gluff, Mooresville (Elkhart); Nathan D. Hooley, Tippecanoe (Kosciusko); Brian C. Hussung, Lawrenceburg (Delaware); Levi Knach, Larwill (Steuben); Lance LaBonte, Whiteland (Huntington); Patrick Labhart, Tell City (Putnam); Patrick T. Malia, Manhattan, Ill. (St. Joseph); and David Moss, Columbus (Howard).

Also, Sean T. Patrick, Wheatfield (unassigned); Kevin Price, Burlington (Carroll); Jet D. Quillen, Nashville (Marion); Brandon J. Shoults, Orleans (Union); Marvin L. Spainhour IV, Clarksville (Marion); Christopher T. Springstun, Charlestown (Putnam); David Taylor, Vero Beach, Fla. (Union); Matthew B. Vossmer, Frankfort, Ky. (Clay); Zachary R. Walker, Indianapolis (Henry); Dustin Whitehead, New Paris (Elkhart); Keith W. Wildeman, Evansville (Starke); and Zachary L. Williams, Valparaiso (unassigned).

"We're happy to have these new officers on board,” said Col. Mike Crider, director of the DNR Division of Law Enforcement. “They were selected through an extensive screening process, completed rigorous training, and represent the cream of the crop. The addition of these individuals brings us to full staff and allows us to improve our services to the citizens of the state."
Founded in 1897, the Law Enforcement Division is the oldest state law enforcement agency, and one of the most versatile.

The DNR employs 214 conservation officers who serve the public and protect the natural Hoosier heritage of Indiana. The Law Enforcement division headquarters is in Indianapolis and operates 10 law enforcement districts throughout the state.

In addition to enforcing state laws, Indiana conservation officers are active in a variety of non-law enforcement activities, such as outdoor education programs including hunter, boater, snowmobile, and trapper education. River Rescue, Cave Rescue, Underwater Search and Recovery and K-9 Teams are specialty response units available statewide whenever needed.

The Law Enforcement Division also has an Investigations Section. These investigations are primarily focused on exploited or commercialized wildlife. They use a variety of techniques including specialized surveillance and undercover operations.

Indiana conservation officers also are often called upon to help during emergencies and natural disasters. CO Recruit School is a physically and mentally demanding 16-week paramilitary-style academy that is managed in three phases by the Division of Law Enforcement’s training section.

The first six weeks of specialized training focuses on intense physical exercise while recruits also are taught investigation skills, water enforcement and laws, case management and report writing, and introduction to firearms.


The second phase lasts four weeks and involves field observation in which recruits are paired with veteran officers to see first hand the day-to-day duties of an Indiana conservation officer.

The final six-week phase consists of more physical training, introduction to firearms law, wildlife identification, ATV/snowmobile laws and operation, river rescue school, and waterfowl law. Recruits also are introduced to defensive tactics and must meet marksmanship qualifications with their issued firearms.

One of the highlights of graduation week is a timed four-lap, 10-mile run at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.