August 20, 2019
2019 Ontario Conservation Officer of the Year
Owen Sound – The Ontario Conservation Officers Association (OCOA) is pleased to announce that Marco Grigio has been selected as the 2019 Conservation Officer of the Year. Marco currently works for the Thunder Bay Enforcement Unit.
The Conservation Officer of the Year announcement was made at the OCOA annual general meeting on Saturday August 17th, in Owen Sound. “Marco is a very deserving recipient of this year’s award,” said OCOA Vice President Todd Steinberg, “Marco is a top notch field officer, he has been a coach officer and a mentor to many new and aspiring Conservation Officers and has been an integral part in shaping and delivering the marine training program for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry Enforcement Branch and the Ontario Provincial Police. He has been an instructor with the O.P.P. marine training program for the past ten years.”
Marco is an accomplished team member and enforcement officer who has demonstrated his commitment to the job and to protecting the public and our natural resources. Some of Marco’s career highlights include:
- Being a Conservation Officer in Ontario for over 25 years while serving with professionalism, honesty and integrity
- Being a Defensive Tactics Instructor
- Being an instructor with the OPP Marine training program for the past 10 years
- Helping develop and deliver the marine training program for the MNRF Enforcement Branch
- Organizing and leading a number of successful projects targeting public safety related issues and offences
- Being a long-time volunteer in his community as a coach, a trainer and a board member in his local youth hockey organization
Upon learning he had been selected as the 2019 Conservation Officer of the Year, Marco stated, “We have the best job in the world. Full of spice, challenges, fun, adventure, and most importantly, rewarding in catching those who cheat our resources. All we have to do is care and everything falls into place. I can honestly say that I have never met a CO who said “I hate my job”. Sure there’s frustration, everyone has some, but it doesn’t come close to trumping all the good. So, it’s for this reason, that this award is so special. It comes from my peers, who enjoy and appreciate the profession as much as I do.”
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For more information contact:
Sean Cronsberry
President
Ontario Conservation Officers Association
scronsberry@ocoa.ca