FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2011
DNR welcomes its newest law enforcement officer
Rick Brito to patrol state trust lands in southwest part of the state
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the appointment of Rick Brito as its newest commissioned law enforcement officer.
“Rick joins with our other officers in protecting the forests, streams and other public resources on Washington State trust lands, as well as educating and protecting the public who use those lands,” said Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark.
Brito will work from the DNR Pacific Cascade Region office in Castle Rock. His primary duties will focus on state trust lands in Clark, Cowlitz, Skamania, Wahkiakum, and portions of Pacific and Lewis counties in southwestern Washington. Within his patrol area are more than 450,000 acres of state forest, agriculture, and conservation lands, as well as forestlands DNR manages on behalf of counties to support local services.
Brito spent 25 years with the Washington State Patrol before coming to DNR. He replaces Officer Steve Rhoades who transferred recently to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
DNR law enforcement officers are commissioned Peace Officers certified by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission.
Law enforcement program
DNR law enforcement officers work with landowners, the public and other law enforcement agencies to enforce State laws on state trust lands. Their duties include:
Monitoring the use of the state’s Discover Pass on vehicles visiting DNR-managed recreation lands
Enforcing vehicle speeds and regulations on state trust land roads and trails
Investigating and preventing vehicle accidents, wildfires and theft of natural resources, such as timber and other forest products
Educating the public about safe and sustainable use of public lands and resources
Caring for your natural resources . . . now and forever
DNR manages more than 5.6 million acres of state-owned forest, range, commercial, agricultural, and aquatic lands. The department also provides wildfire protection for 12.7 million acres of private and state-owned forestlands and administers Forest Practices rules.
