[Scan-DC] MNRP Celebrates Sesquicentennial (Public Celebration May 12)

[Alan Henney]

Maryland Natural Resources Police Celebrates Sesquicentennial

http://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2018/03/30/maryland-natural-resources-police-celebrates-sesquicentennial/#.Wr8Uvo6N1MQ.twitter

March 30, 2018

Oldest State Police Agency to Host Public Celebration May 12 at Sandy Point
State Park

Natural Resources Police 150th Anniversary LogoOne hundred and fifty years
ago today, Maryland’s oldest state police agency began its mission of
protecting people, wildlife and public lands and waters.

Maryland Natural Resources Police is marking its sesquicentennial with a
proclamation from Gov. Larry Hogan and congratulatory resolutions from the
House of Delegates and State Senate. The agency is presenting 150th
anniversary commemorative badges to state executive and legislative leaders.

“I’m proud to join Governor Hogan in extending congratulations to the
Natural Resources Police on their 150th anniversary,” Maryland Department
of Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “One of the nation’s first
and finest conservation law enforcement agencies, this force has grown from
fighting a war with oyster pirates to patrolling 17,000 miles of waterways
and nearly a half-million acres of public lands from the air, land and sea.
The mission has expanded and evolved over time, but these outstanding
officers’ dedication to protecting our natural environment and resources
remains as strong as ever.”

The celebration will continue May 12, when the department holds an open
house, “Great Outdoors Maryland,” at Sandy Point State Park to give the
public the opportunity to see the conservation law enforcement agency in
action—from K-9s units and tactical teams to simulated on-water pursuit and
boarding demonstrations. Other federal, state and local law enforcement
agencies and conservation and environmental groups will be participating as
well.

Created by the General Assembly March 30, 1868, the “State Oyster Police
Force” was charged with regulating the oyster industry and bringing order
to the often lawless Chesapeake Bay, where pirates stole both oysters and
goods. In 1896, the legislature created the Office of the State Game Warden
to extend protection to wildlife.

After decades of name changes and configurations, the fish, game and
boating enforcement efforts were consolidated in 1971 under the name, the
Maryland Natural Resources Police.

“The resiliency and can-do spirit of the men and women of the Natural
Resources Police proves that our core values of professionalism,
dedication, integrity and courtesy are more than just words on paper,” said
Col. Robert “Ken” Ziegler Jr. “We are proud of 150 years of service to the
people of Maryland and look forward to many more.”

Today, the police force, with an authorized strength of 278 officers, is
responsible for patrolling 470,000 acres of public lands, the Maryland
portion of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, the Atlantic Ocean coast
and coastal bays and 9,000 miles of freshwater rivers and streams. It aids
boaters in distress, locates lost hikers and hunters and provides boating
and hunting safety education.

Officers inspect fish that are shipped through Baltimore/Washington
International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Jessup Wholesale Center and Ocean
City commercial piers. They inspect Maryland-caught oysters, crabs and fish.

The force has been designated Maryland’s lead agency for maritime homeland
security, charged with protecting 18 locations designated by the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security and nine additional sites identified by the
state.