Brandon Vacek of Belleville is new DNR Conservation Officer

Brandon Vacek of Belleville was among the 24 new Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers who graduated Dec. 21 during a ceremony in Lansing. Officer Vacek is assigned to Monroe County.
Thirty candidates initially were selected from nearly 500 applicants to be a part of Recruit School #9, the DNR’s 23-week training academy. Graduates include six women and 18 men.
While their primary mission is to enforce fish, game and natural resource protection laws, conservation officers serve a unique role as certified peace officers with authority to enforce all of Michigan’s criminal laws.
Because of their specialized training and versatility, conservation officers often are first responders to situations involving medical emergencies, missing persons, and public safety threats.