SACRAMENTO- A big congratulations to our California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) and Resource Protection Peace Officers Association (RPPOA) members for their completion and graduation from the law enforcement academy in Butte County.

California State Parks announced the addition of 28 new peace officer rangers and lifeguards.  The cadets received their badges on June 12, 2019 in front of family members, friends and department staff. As peace officers, they will serve, protect and educate visitors to California’s 280 state parks, while protecting the state’s most significant natural and cultural resources.

“Congratulations peace officers!” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona.  “Your particular time at the academy was difficult at best as you were there during the devastating and deadly Camp fire in Paradise.  Still you continued your training!  I wish you much success in your journeys as peace officers at California State Parks!”

The graduates were commended for enduring the devastating Camp Fire. Cadets had to evacuate their classroom at Butte Community College, which was used as a command center for the fire incident. Four cadets and a training officer lost their homes. Through the chaos, loss and struggle, this academy class maintained its motto, “Forged by fire, California strong!”

“We’re constantly pushed and tested throughout our lives. Although we may face many hardships, it is how we react and meet these hardships that make us who we are,” said David Wilson, this year’s Cadet Academy Valedictorian. “We have been forged in a remarkable way to serve a calling that so many great men and women have served before us.”

This year’s class of 28 cadets were chosen from a field of approximately 800 applicants. For eight months, cadets participated in Basic Visitor Services Training. Their training included lessons in making physical arrests, conducting investigations, performing search and rescue activities, defensive tactics and firearms use. Cadets were also trained in visitor assistance, public education and interpretation, and park resource protection and management. Academy instruction prepares the students mentally, morally, emotionally and physically to enter and successfully complete the Field Training Officer’s Program, which is composed of 13 more weeks of on-the-job training.

The following is a list of CSLEA members who graduated.  Congratulations to: