First time State Parks has two graduating classes in one year
The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (State Parks) welcomed 29 new graduates to the New York State Park Police ranks. After six months of intense training in the 19th Basic School at the State Parks Police Academy, these new officers will be assigned to serve New York's 250 state parks, historic sites and recreational facilities serving more than 84 million visitors.
“Thanks to Governor Hochul, our State Parks Police force continues to grow,” said New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons. “In addition to being the first time we have two graduating classes in less than a year, we have seen a raise in officers’ salaries statewide and added resources which shows the safety commitment Governor Hochul and New York State has made. This graduating class is well trained and dedicated to New York State’s parks and historic sites. State Parks continues to emphasize and is proud of the strategies undertaken to advance women in policing, including recruitment, hiring, retention, promotion, and agency culture. These officers will ensure a safe and welcoming environment for the millions of visitors who join us each year.”
Park Police Chief Michael Daddona said, “Congratulations to this new class of park police officers. Your dedication and the support from your families make this an extremely important day. I look forward to watching your career develop from one end of the state to the other. New York State Park Police training prepares you for challenging and rewarding experiences – from law enforcement, investigations and extreme weather – in New York State’s forests, waterways and trails.”
For the first time, State Parks has had two graduating classes in one year. It was held today at the Hall of Springs at Saratoga Spa State Park. This class joins 214 current members of the department. Recruits were in residential training for the past six months at the State Park Police Academy in Rensselaerville, Albany County. They completed the first Park Police summer academy, which began on June 23, 2024.
This class achieves Governor Hochul’s 30X30 Pledge to increase the percentage of female recruits to 30 percent by 2030. This class is at 34 percent – 10 female and 19 male. The Pledge is a series of actions policing agencies are taking to improve representation and experiences of women in law enforcement.
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 where they will receive supervised training from senior officers, followed by assignment to patrol responsibilities.
The following graduates received special recognition awards:
- Officer Nicholas Fusco of Smithtown, NY, earns both the Physical Fitness and Leadership Awards
- Officer Michael Bodnar of Shoreham, NY, Firearms Proficiency Award
- Officer Daria Black of New Hyde Park, NY, Academic Achievement Award
Effective January 6, 2025, the members listed below will be assigned in the Districts and Zones indicated to complete Supervised Field Training. Upon successful completion of the Division’s Supervised Field Training Program, they will report to their Post Field Training Assignment Zone.
Name (Hometown) Post Field Training District / Zone
Officer Otto Pleakis (Allegany) Allegany
Officer Sahidul Islam (Albany) Central
Officer Blaise Sutton ( Utica) Central
Officer Vincent Alesi (Locust Valley) Finger Lakes
Officer Amber Dillenbeck (Sharon Springs) Finger Lakes
Officer Ryan Beutel (Hilton) Genesee
Officer Carla Martinez (Lawrence) Genesee
Officer Samantha Turner (Nanuet) Genesee
Officer Daria Black (New Hyde Park) NYC
Officer Michael Bodnar (Shoreham) NYC
Officer Stephanie Carcamo (West Hempstead) NYC
Officer Gianna Dickson (Hauppauge) NYC
Officer James Fisenne (Wantagh) NYC
Officer Nicholas Fusco (Smithtown) NYC
Officer Robert Gitto (Massapequa Park) NYC
Officer Arnold Hillian (Baldwin) NYC
Officer Kyle Walsh (Massapequa) NYC
Officer Nicholas Anzalone (Grand Island) Niagara
Officer Md Iqbal Hossain (Queens) Niagara
Officer Alan Lin (Monticello) Niagara
Officer Daniel Aldrich (Airmont) Palisades
Officer Timothy Bazylewicz (Farmingdale) Palisades
Officer Aleah Gonzalez (Patchogue) Palisades
Officer Brandon Jennings (Greenwood Lake) Palisades
Officer Matthew Parrillo (Medford) Palisades
Officer John Menconeri (Wappingers Falls) Taconic
Officer Sabrina Salazar-Arango (White Plains) Taconic
Officer Enma Bautista (East Patchogue) Thousand Islands
Officer Maddy Chamberlain (Adams) Thousand Islands
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. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer app or call 518.474.0456. Join us for our new Wellness Challenge, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and the OPRHP Blog.
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