Natural Resources Police Recognizes 31 New Graduates
Class is third to complete new cross training required for MPS, NRP consolidation

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WYE MILLS — The Natural Resources Police (NRP), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), this afternoon recognized the third class of graduates since the announcement of the consolidation of the NRP and the Maryland Park Service (MPS) rangers.

The consolidation, which took effect Jan. 1, is aimed to increase state government efficiency and eliminate redundancies. The Governor’s Commission on Structure and Efficiency of State Government, chaired by former Governor Marvin Mandel recommended the consolidation in its final report. The report can be found online at http://www.dbm.state.md.us/efficiency/MCFinalReport.pdf

The combined organization will continue to ensure the public’s safety as well as enforce a broader variety of laws and regulations covering boating, wildlife, parks, fishing, both commercial and recreational and resource protection.

DNR Deputy Secretary Lynn Buhl attended the ceremony along with NRP Superintendent Col. Mark S. Chaney, NRP Deputy Superintendent Lt. Col. Nicholas Paros, NRP Chief of Support Services Lt. Col. Maurice Davis, NRP Field Force Chief Major Michael Sewell, NRP Office of Administrative Services Kathy Lantz and MPS Superintendent Col. Rick Barton. NRP Lt. Robert Davis was the emcee for the afternoon and NRP Sgt. Joe Offer gave the invocation and benediction.

“I want to thank the families of our officers and our newest graduates for their loyalty and support, for standing by us and believing in our principles and our mission.” Superintendent Chaney said. “You are what encourages us to go forth to face the challenges of our profession and what calls us home at the end of the day.”

Delegate Susan L. M. Aumann gave the keynote address. Delegate Aumann is a member of House of Delegates, representing District 42, Baltimore County. She is a member of the Appropriations Committee and the National Policy Committee on Crime, Justice, Terrorism and Substance Abuse.


Below is a list of the graduates and their hometowns.

• Melvin Adam, Elkton
• Gerard Bond, Mt. Airy
• Meredith Brenneman, Boonsboro
• Harry Cage, Flintstone
• John Capozzoli, Elkton
• Gregory Certeza, Towson
• Karl Christensen, Pocomoke City
• Michael Cooper, Oakland
• William Davis, Westminster
• Richard Doney, Sabillasville
• Richard Fisher, Port Republic
• Scott Forrest, Clear Spring
• Robert Haney, Williamsport
• Timothy Hardman, Ellicott City
• April Havens, Dameron,
• Jerry Kirkwood, Monkton
• Kenneth Lathroum, Linthicum
• David Lowman, Thurmont
• Robert Marconi, Forest Hill
• Richard Mc Laughlin, Finksburg
• Mark Mc Millan, Lonaconing
• Timothy Mc Millan, Grantsville
• John Radu, Sparks
• Brenda Rohrback, Big Pool
• Richard Ruszin, Fort Howard
• Daniel Schmidt, Owings Mills
• Scott Simmons, Berlin
• Charles Thomas, Mc Henry
• Brent Trautman, Hare De Grace
• Shelton Walters Jr., Felton, DE
• Daniel Yankie, Montgomery Village

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is an enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources. With an authorized strength of 285 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the Natural Resources Police provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.

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April 19, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov