Governor Newsom honors commitment to wildlife protection and public safety with 36 new law enforcement officers

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 08:53:54 GMT

Governor Gavin Newsom is celebrating the graduation of 36 new wildlife officers, marking an important milestone in strengthening California’s effort to protect its natural resources and keep communities safe.

During a ceremony yesterday in Paradise, Butte County, the graduates were sworn in, pinned with their badges, and welcomed into the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Law Enforcement Division. Following field training, the new officers will begin serving in communities throughout California, supporting the state’s mission to protect the state's fish and wildlife resources in the most biologically diverse state in the nation while carrying out a broad range of public safety responsibilities.

“California’s wildlife officers play a critical role in protecting our natural resources, supporting safe access to our public lands and waterways, and serving communities across the state,” said Governor Newsom. “These 36 new officers are joining a proud tradition of public service, and their commitment will help protect California’s incredible natural heritage while ensuring communities can safely enjoy the state’s diverse landscapes.”

“Graduation day is always special for our division,” said CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of Law Enforcement Nathaniel Arnold. “Each new officer represents a commitment to protecting California’s natural resources and ensuring the safety of the people who enjoy them. I am extremely proud of this class and excited to see them begin their careers.”

CDFW’s Wildlife Officer Academy is certified by California's Commission of Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), ensuring every recruit receives the same rigorous training expected of law enforcement agencies across the state. Since partnering with Butte College in 2008, CDFW has trained wildlife officers at the college’s modern POST-certified facility, drawing on nearly 50 years of law enforcement training expertise.

This year's graduating class includes one officer continuing a family tradition of service, following in the footsteps of their mother, now retired, who graduated from CDFW's Wildlife Officer Academy in 1990. She began her career in the Rio Vista District, where the new officer will now start their first patrol assignment.

After completing 1,254 hours of academy instruction, the graduates will enter the POST-mandated Field Training Program, working alongside experienced officers to gain hands-on experience responding to real-world situations. Once they complete field training, they will begin solo patrol assignments in districts throughout California.

The 36 graduates will join approximately 450 wildlife officers already serving communities across California. Together, they carry out a wide range of public safety and natural resource protection responsibilities, including general patrol, marine enforcement, petroleum spill response, investigations, cannabis enforcement, and other specialized assignments. From responding to emergencies to enforcing California’s fish and wildlife laws, wildlife officers serve in a variety of roles every day to protect California’s people, wildlife, and natural resources. Their work includes rescuing injured and orphaned wildlife, investigating poaching and other wildlife crimes, and responding to wildlife emergencies that protect animals and the public.

CDFW continues to recruit the next generation of wildlife officers. Individuals interested in a career protecting California's fish, wildlife, and natural resources can learn more at wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement.

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Media Contacts:
Kory Collins, CDFW Law Enforcement Division, (310) 944-8182
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

22 New Wildlife Officers Sworn In Following Academy Graduation

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:21:51 GMT

This year saw highest percentage of female cadets in CDFW history

Download visuals from the event

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) pinned badges on 22 new Wildlife Officer Academy graduates today, Aug. 7, in Paradise, Butte County. These newly sworn wildlife officers will now go through a Field Training Program before setting out on solo patrol to protect California’s natural resources.

This graduating class of CDFW’s Wildlife Officer Academy chose the motto “On Track, Off Trail.” The wildlife officers’ specialized training will have them “On Track” with 1,250 academy hours used “Off Trail” as they safeguard California’s fish, wildlife, and communities for generations to come.

“We are proud to see these 22 new and eager wildlife officers sworn in and to walk across the graduation stage to be pinned with their badges. They will support CDFW’s mission to protect the state’s natural resources,” said Nathaniel Arnold, CDFW Deputy Director and Chief of Law Enforcement. “These wildlife officers will be deployed across the Law Enforcement Division’s programs, including regular patrol, marine enforcement, investigation of petroleum spills and response, and cannabis enforcement, in order to best support California’s communities across the state.”

Since partnering with Butte College in 2008 to provide CDFW with certified California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), this class saw the highest percentage of female cadets enter the academy at 31%. The class also includes eight military veterans, a former CDFW Fisheries Branch wildlife technician and a former member of CDFW’s Nutria Eradication Program team who held the record for most nutria taken in the state. CDFW hopes to hire an additional four self-sponsored cadets graduating with today’s class.

In the Field Training Program, the new wildlife officers will apply their academy training under the immediate supervision of seasoned field training officers (FTO). Field training with experienced FTOs is also mandated by POST to ensure wildlife officers can apply the skills they learned during the academy to real life circumstances. FTO is the final stage of formal training.

For more information about becoming a wildlife officer, visit wildlife.ca.gov/Enforcement.

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Media Contacts:
Andrew Halverson, CDFW Law Enforcement, (661) 428-9873
Krysten Kellum, CDFW Communications, (916) 825-7120

CDFW News

Governor Newsom honors commitment to wildlife protection and public safety with 36 new law enforcement officers

22 New Wildlife Officers Sworn In Following Academy Graduation