WILDLIFE ENFORCEMENT -- A retired head of fish and wildlife enforcement from Alaska has become the new chief of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Program.

Steve Bear stepped into the Washington position on Sept. 1. He had retired as Colonel for the Alaska Wildlife Troopers after serving a total of 27 years in Alaska public safety roles. He was sworn in at the state Fish and Wildlife Commission meeting in Port Angeles on Friday.

"In 2015, he oversaw 84 full-time wildlife troopers and 47 civilian employees," reports Andy Walgamott of Northwest Sportsman. "At his new post in Olympia, Bear will oversee a staff of 156 WDFW employees, including 130 commissioned officers."

“Growing up hunting, fishing, and trapping, I developed a strong sense of just how important natural resources are to everyone,” Bear said in a statement. “What draws me to this line of work is the idea of protecting those resources for this generation and future generations.”

Bear replaces Steve Crown, who left WDFW in 2016 to head the Wenatchee Police Department.

WDFW Capt. Chris Anderson served as interim chief while the search for a replacement was conducted.