Governor O'Malley, Congressman Kratovil Congratulate 18 New Maryland Natural Resources Police Graduates

Arnold, MD  – The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP), the law enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) this morning recognized the 52nd graduating class of the Maryland Natural Resources Police Academy. This graduation ceremony marks the second class of new NRP officers hired this year. Congressman Frank M. Kratovil gave the keynote address.

“I believe that Maryland, more than any other state, has an economy so closely related to the health of the environment that to do harm to one immediately creates an imbalance in the other,” said Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD). “We are defined by the Chesapeake Bay, the inlets and rivers sprung from the Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean. In our state we value the environment for many reasons -- beauty, sport, and recreation to name a few, but we also recognize that our environment is the backbone of our state’s economy and for many citizens the reason we are able to put food on our table, pay our mortgages and send our children to college.”

DNR Secretary John Griffin and DNR Deputy Secretary Eric Schwaab also attended the ceremony along with NRP Superintendent Colonel George F. Johnson, IV, and NRP Deputy Superintendent Lt. Colonel Alphonso Hawkins. Pastor Byron Brought gave the invocation and benediction. The ceremony was held at the Pascal Center for Performing Arts at Anne Arundel Community College.

“The Maryland Natural Resources Police are crucial to ensuring the safety of our citizens as well as our treasured land and aquatic resources are safe,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Their contributions to our State – whether patrolling the Chesapeake Bay or protecting endangered wildlife – are truly a blessing for all of those who enjoy Maryland’s natural areas.”

“Members of this graduating class will serve at the intersection of the environment and the economy that all Marylanders rely on and I wish them the best of luck and safety in their new role,” added Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD).

Below is a list of graduates and their hometowns:

• Officer Mathew A. Bentley, Joppatowne, Md
• Officer Jeffrey L. Biermann, Cambridge, Md
• Officer Troy E. Brimer, Salisbury, Md
• Officer Bradley W. Bunting. Ocean City, Md
• Officer Devin R. Corcoran, Preston, Md
• Officer Angela R. Englehart, Big Pool, Md
• Officer Annette M. Holmgren, Grasonville, Md
• Officer Gregory A. Jilek, Hagerstown, Md
• Officer John M. Jones, Elkton, Md
• Officer Joshua R. Keeney, Frederick, Md
• Officer Benjamin R. Lillard, Thurmont, Md
• Officer Bradley S. Lowe, Smithsburg, Md
• Officer Lindsey R. Markert, Baltimore, Md
• Officer Jessica L. Mattson, Salisbury, Md
• Officer Andrew J. Ostazeski, Port Republic, Md
• Officer Aaron P. Saunders, Columbia, Md
• Officer Elizabeth M. Tyler, Salisbury, Md
• Officer Andrew T. Wilson, Rhodesdale, Md

Individual awards given to class members included Top Academic Award – Officer Gregory Jilek; Marksman Award - Officer Elizabeth Tyler; Navigation and Seamanship Award - Officer Devin Corcoran; Leadership Award - Officer Annette Holmgren; and the Physical Fitness Award - Officer Bradley Lowe.

“I cannot offer praise enough for this graduating class and all of their hard work, said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “On behalf of DNR and the NRP, congratulations on this great achievement and we look forward to working with you in protecting Maryland’s citizens and our natural resources.”

The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the oldest state law enforcement agency with its beginnings as the State Oyster Police in 1868. The NRP serves as a public safety agency with statewide authority to enforce conservation, boating, and criminal laws, as well as to provide primary law enforcement services for Maryland’s state parks, state forests and public lands owned and managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. The agency is also responsible for maritime and rural search and rescue, and is designated as the state’s lead agency for homeland security on Maryland waters.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 249 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP 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.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 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 12 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