FRANKLIN, Pa. – Pennsylvania Game Commission Northwest Region Director Richard T. Cramer announced that four new Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers were commissioned on Thursday, August 18, 2016, at the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Northwest Regional Office in Franklin, Pa.

(Pictured above, left to right: DWCO Beth Clevenger; DWCO Gary Brosius; DWCO Benjamin Lobdell; and DWCO Christopher Thunell)

The deputies, accompanied by family members, were administered the oath of office by Northwest Law Enforcement Supervisor Clint J. Deniker.

Newly commissioned deputies and their hometown:

• DWCO Beth Clevenger, Corry, Warren County
• DWCO Gary Brosius, Butler, Butler County
• DWCO Benjamin Lobdell, Warren, Warren County
• DWCO Christopher Thunell, McKean, Erie County

Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers function in all phases of Game Commission operations and assume the powers as authorized by the Game and Wildlife Code, subject to limitations established by Commission policy and standard operating procedures. Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers are the local representatives of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Individuals selected for the positions perform their duties under the supervision of a District Wildlife Conservation Officer. Deputies are compensated on a per diem basis.

Deputy applicants must be Pennsylvania residents at least 21 years of age, possess a valid PA driver’s license and possess a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Applicants must be in good physical condition, have a good knowledge of hunting, trapping and other outdoor activities and be able to maintain a good working relationship with fellow officers and the public. Applicants must accrue 20 hours of ride-along time with a Wildlife Conservation Officer and have a thorough character investigation conducted prior to taking the entrance examination, on which a minimum score of 75 percent must be attained. After completing one full week (96 hours) of training and extensive home study; a certification examination is administered. A minimum score of 75 percent is required by all candidates.

“The Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer program is a valuable tool in accomplishing the agency’s mission.” Cramer said. “We welcome anyone 21 years of age and older to consider becoming a deputy. Individuals age 40 to 50 should note that it is never too late to apply, as those individuals are often better able to handle the financial and time commitments necessary in becoming a deputy.

Due to current financial constraints, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is delaying the training and commissioning of future Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers until the agency secures a hunting license increase.

“Things have changed over the 113 years the deputy program has been in existence. The one thing that hasn’t changed is that the agency depends on deputies to fulfill our wildlife management mission and we couldn’t possibly accomplish what we do without their help.”

The Northwest Region includes Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties.