British Columbia's Conservation Officer Service welcomes 11 new recruits

The BC Conservation Officers Service is welcoming 11 new recruits from the Western Conservation Law Enforcement Academy (WCLEA).

The commencement ceremony was held in Chilliwack and celebrated six women and five men who will be serving communities across British Columbia.

The group includes six full-time conservation officers who will be filling retirements and other vacancies, as well as five seasonal officers hired under the Youth Employment Program (YEP).

Not only did women outnumber men in the graduating class, this is also the first time the training was delivered solely in BC.

Before the pandemic, WCLEA offered training that was a joint initiative between agencies from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and the Yukon.

“It is the people of the COS who help reflect and cement our agency as a progressive and respected leader in natural resource law enforcement and public safety. We couldn’t be happier that more women than ever are seeing the COS as a desirable career,” said Doug Forsdick, chief conservation officer.

“We hope this accomplishment can be an inspiration for other women interested in such opportunities. We know all of our Conservation Officers will ensure the integrity, dedication and professionalism our agency is known for will be reflected in the work that is carried out across the province every day.”

BC’s newest conservation officers include:

• Jillian Bjarnason – CO, Port McNeill

• Hilary Desmarais – CO, Mackenzie

• Karlee Hall – CO, Golden

• Juliana Damert – CO, Chetwynd

• Ellen Pedersen – CO, Fort St. John

• Jordan Ferguson - CO, Mission

• Jacob Clausen – Seasonal CO, Fort St. John

• Ryan Caldwell – Seasonal CO, Dease Lake

• Brock Van Damme – Seasonal CO, Grand Forks

• Jolene Bull - Seasonal CO, Mission

• Carter Elder – Seasonal CO, Mission