SACRAMENTO – The California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) and its affiliate, State Parks Peace Officers Association (SPPOAC), extend a proud and heartfelt congratulations to the 30 California State Parks cadets who graduated from the law enforcement academy in Butte County on April 28, 2023.
The 29 rangers and one peace officer-lifeguard began their 32-week training on September 19, 2022. The cadets received their badges and formally became State Park Peace Officers in front of their family, friends, and department staff in the town of Paradise.
“This is a proud moment and terrific accomplishment for these newest State Parks peace officers. I applaud their dedication and hard work during the academy, and their commitment to public safety and our beautiful state parks system,” said CSLEA President Alan Barcelona. “As the union that represents State Parks peace officers, CSLEA stands ready to assist its members during their law enforcement careers. Law enforcement officers face many challenges and encounters with the public and it is important that they have the support and Legal Defense Fund that unions such as CSLEA provide. We wish the rangers and peace-officer lifeguard the very best as they begin their field training and throughout their careers.”
Graduate and salutatorian Gabriel Del Castillo, CSLEA member
As peace officers, the new rangers and peace-officer lifeguard will serve, protect, and educate visitors to California’s 280 state parks, while protecting the state’s most significant natural and cultural resources. This year’s class of 30 cadets was chosen from a field of more than 400 applicants. Graduates of this class will be stationed throughout the state.
Cadet training included lessons in strategic communication, physical arrests, investigations, search and rescue operations, defensive tactics, de-escalation, and firearms use. Cadets also received training in visitor services, public education and interpretation, park resource protection and management, and first aid. Students are mentally, morally, emotionally, and physically prepared to enter and successfully complete the Field Training Officer Program, which consists of 13 weeks of on-the-job training.
