OLYMPIA -- Bern Shanks, director of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has named a long-time agency employee as Assistant Director of Enforcement. Ron Swatfigure started with the Department of Fisheries in 1967.

"We accepted applications from across the nation from many well qualified candidates," said Shanks. "During the selection process we found the right person for this responsibility was just four floors and a short elevator ride away."

"Ron has those qualities that the commission and I wanted for the enforcement program. He has a strong sense of protecting our state's resources. In addition, he will provide the leadership this agency needs as our enforcement staff moves from a strictly police image to the image of a professional fish and wildlife conservation officer," Shanks said.

Ron Swatfigure was first hired by the fisheries agency as a hatchery assistant. He moved to a patrol officer's position in 1975, serving in the Seattle area. A promotion to sergeant followed in 1984 and lieutenant in 1992. In addition, Swatfigure supervised the agency's Special Investigative Unit.

Director for the agency's Outreach and Education program. Snell, formally was in charge of the WDFW Public Affairs office. Outreach and Education and the Public Affairs functions of WDFW will be merged under Snell as a means of offering better service to the public.