Two newly graduated Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs) will soon begin their assignments in Berks County, following a statewide graduation ceremony held July 18 at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) announced that 19 officers successfully completed the agency’s rigorous 49-week training program and will now report to their assigned regions across the Commonwealth. Among them are Jenna Alleman of Elliottsburg, who has been assigned to the North Montgomery and East Berks counties region, and Hunter Sanner of Markleton, who will serve in Berks County.
“I am proud to officially welcome this dedicated group of new officers to the Fish and Boat Commission and our Bureau of Law Enforcement,” said Col. Jeffrey Sabo, Director of the PFBC Bureau of Law Enforcement. “With their intense training behind them, these officers are ready to serve the anglers and boaters in Pennsylvania and work to protect, conserve, and enhance our aquatic resources.”
The WCO training program includes 17 weeks of Municipal Police Officers Basic Training at Mansfield University in Tioga County, followed by 32 weeks of specialized training at the PFBC’s H.R. Stackhouse School of Fishery Conservation and Watercraft Safety in Centre County. Officers also participated in field training alongside experienced WCOs.
In their new roles, WCOs will patrol local waterways, conduct environmental investigations, participate in public outreach events, and assist with fish stocking efforts.
As Alleman and Sanner begin their duties, their presence will enhance conservation enforcement and education efforts throughout Berks County and neighboring communities.
