Marine Patrol Announces New Hire

[NCangler]

MOREHEAD CITY - The N.C. Marine Patrol, law enforcement branch of the state Division of Marine Fisheries, has added a new officer to its ranks.

Todd Saunders is a new field officer working in the Sea Level/Carteret County area. Prior to his employment with Marine Patrol, Tyer worked as a police officer for 11 years with the Burlington Police Department. Before that he served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years. Saunders is certified through the N.C. Criminal Justice Training and Standards Commission as a general instructor and a specialized instructor in law enforcement driving and Spanish.

The Marine Patrol has 59 sworn law enforcement officer positions along the coast and its jurisdiction includes all coastal waters extending to 3 miles offshore, and out to 200 miles offshore for some federally regulated species. Officers monitor 2.5 million acres of water and over 4,000 miles of coastline. Along with inspecting commercial and recreational boats, Marine Patrol officers also check seafood markets, fish dealers, restaurants, piers, beaches and vehicles carrying seafood.