JACKSON - After completing 12 weeks of training with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Conservation Officers, 11 cadets graduated from this year's MDWFP Wildlife Law Enforcement Training Academy.

A graduation ceremony was held at the MDWFP main office in Jackson to honor the 2011 Cadet class. The cadets were required to undergo more than 600 hours of training in areas such as wildlife forensics, boat incident reconstruction, and huntingincident reconstruction.

"The training was a major test of will, but withdetermination, strength, and encouragement from fellow cadets, we made it and now have an even greater appreciation and respect for ourselves and each other as conservation officers," said Cadet Blake Jones.

"These guys went through a tremendous amount of intense training that will prepare them mentally and physically," said Law Enforcement Training Officer, Whit Reed. "This job is very diverse so it's important for officers to be prepared for any type of scenario."

Each cadet will now move to his assigned county where he will continue training with a Field Training Officer for the next 12 months.

"The next and final phase of training will ensure the new cadets are fully equipped to carry out the duties of conservation officers," said Chief of Law Enforcement, Steve Adcock. "We are confident our new officers will serve our state and its natural resources well."