The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has hired seven new officers in an ongoing effort to protect California’s natural resources and enhance public safety throughout the state.

The officers were sworn in during a ceremony in Sacramento, where CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham and Chief of Enforcement Michael Carion joined other department staff in congratulating the new officers.

Having already graduated the 31-week CDFW law enforcement academy, new Wardens Keith Smith of Elk Grove, Nicholas Molsberry of Chula Vista, Chris Foster of Rocklin, Ryan Stephenson of McArthur, Brandon Rose of Graeagle, Kyle Glau of Auburn and Matthew Plaza of Patterson will spend the next 10 weeks working with different training officers to refine their skills in the field. Once their field training is complete, the officers will report to their assigned patrol districts.

CDFW officers undergo more than 900 hours of peace officer training, following the same rigorous coursework as all full-time peace officers in California. Wildlife officers spend an additional 300 hours studying wildlife laws and regulations and receive additional specialized training that prepares them to work within a state that spans 159,000 square miles and encompasses 1,100 miles of coastline, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams including 80 major rivers, three deserts and scores of high mountains.

Today, there are approximately 363 sworn wildlife officers statewide.