(Columbia, SC) - Three Forestry Commission officers, including a local man, recently graduated from the SC Criminal Justice Academy. Forestry Supervisor Dexter Bassard, assigned to Kershaw and Lancaster Counties, will now assume the added duties of forest law enforcement.

During the nine-week course, Bassard received practical instruction in firearms, pursuit driving, defensive tactics, and physical fitness. Academic training included study of criminal law, search and seizure, and arrest procedures.

Bassard has been a firefighting supervisor for almost a year. His additional responsibilities will include enforcement of outdoor burning laws and wildfire investigation.

With the new graduates, the Forestry Commission has nearly 40 law enforcement officers statewide.

During the nine-week course, Mills received practical instruction in firearms, pursuit driving, defensive tactics, and physical fitness. Academic training included study of criminal law, search and seizure, and arrest procedures.

Mills, a graduate forester, supervises forest firefighting work and provides forest management service to landowners. His law enforcement responsibilities will include enforcement of outdoor burning laws and wildfire investigation.

With the new graduates, the Forestry Commission has nearly 40 law enforcement officers statewide.

During the nine-week course, Calore received practical instruction in firearms, pursuit driving, defensive tactics, and physical fitness. Academic training included study of criminal law, search and seizure, and arrest procedures.

An experienced forester, Calore will be assigned as an agent-investigator covering several midlands and lower piedmont counties. His duties will include investigating timber theft, timber fraud, and woods arson.

With the new graduates, the Forestry Commission has nearly 40 law enforcement officers statewide.

For more information, contact: Ken Cabe, 803-896-8820.