OPRHP welcomes 29 new graduates from New York State Park Police Academy

First time State Parks has two graduating classes in one year

Submitted by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

On Friday, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation welcomed 29 new graduates to the New York State Park Police ranks – including officer Nicholas Anzalone of Grand Island (serving in Niagara County).

After six months of intense training in the 19th Basic School at the State Parks Police Academy, 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 Gov. Hochul, our State Parks Police force continues to grow,” New York State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons said. “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 Gov. Hochul and New York state has made. This graduating class is well trained and dedicated to New York state’s parks and historic sites. (The office of) 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. This one was held 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 June 23, 2024.

This class achieves Hochul’s “30X30 Pledge” to increase the percentage of female recruits to 30 by 2030. This class is at 34% (10 female, 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.