Col. Scotty Wilson, head of the DNR Division of Law Enforcement, has announced the recent promotion of Indiana Conservation Officers Gary Whitaker and Erick Bolt to the ranks of captain and lieutenant, respectively.

"Capt. Whitaker and Lt. Bolt bring many years of experience to their new positions," Wilson said. "Both have my utmost confidence to carry out our mission to the public we serve."

Whitaker will supervise the division's north region operations, which include five districts covering 44 counties. Whitaker replaces Ed Troche, who retired in December after 37 years with DNR Law Enforcement, including the last 10 as North Region Operations Commander.

"Capt. Whitaker brings over 20 years of experience as an Officer, an Investigator, and a District Commander to his new position," Wilson said. "He is well versed on the demographics and responsibilities of the region he will oversee."

Whitaker became an Indiana Conservation Officer in 1992, when he was assigned to Allen County. He later served in LaGrange County before being assigned to the division's Investigations Section as a detective in 2005. Whitaker was promoted in 2010 to lieutenant, overseeing District 2, a nine-county area of northeast Indiana that includes Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells and Whitley counties.

Bolt's promotion to Lieutenant fills the vacancy left by Whitaker's move.

An Indiana Conservation Officer since 1995, Bolt most recently was a Corporal in District 2 after spending 14 years as a field officer in Whitley County. In 2012, he received the division's James D. Pitzer Award as Indiana Conservation Officer of the Year.

"Lt. Bolt has served the citizens of Indiana most admirably for over 17 years," Wilson said. "The Officers he now oversees are the same ones who gave him their vote as Indiana's top Conservation Officer. He already has earned their respect and their confidence in his abilities."

DNR's Law Enforcement Division employs 214 Conservation Officers who serve the public and protect the natural resources of the state. The division has its headquarters in Indianapolis and operates 10 law enforcement districts throughout the state. The Law Enforcement Division is Indiana's oldest state law enforcement agency, and one of the most diverse.