Twenty-two men and eight women will start their journey toward becoming Michigan conservation officers when the DNR’s Conservation Officer Recruit School #9 gets under way Sunday in Lansing.
The candidates face 23 weeks of intensive training that will test them academically, emotionally and physically.
The DNR again will offer weekly blog entries that provide a firsthand look at the challenges and accomplishments of recruits as they progress through the academy. Readers can subscribe to the blog, which also will be posted on the Michigan DNR Facebook page.
“Nothing will come easily for these men and women,” said Gary Hagler, DNR Law Enforcement Division chief. “Each recruit will earn his or her place at the academy every single day. The training is tough, and our standards are high. But those who earn the privilege of joining our ranks can look forward to exciting, rewarding careers. Recruit school is the first step in developing the type of high-character individuals who have what it takes to carry on our legacy.”
The DNR Law Enforcement Division is Michigan’s oldest statewide law enforcement agency, created in 1887. Conservation officers serve a unique role within the law enforcement community. While their primary mission is to enforce fish, game and natural resource protection laws, they also are certified peace officers with authority to enforce all of Michigan’s criminal laws. Because of their specialized training and versatility, conservation officers often are first to respond in situations such as medical emergencies, missing persons and public safety threats.
The recruiting process is highly selective. Candidates were chosen from nearly 500 applicants. This academy’s class includes six recruits from the Upper Peninsula and 24 from the Lower Peninsula.
Recruits are trained in skills such as firearms, survival tactics, precision driving, off-road vehicle operation and maintenance, water safety, first aid, criminal law, fish and game law and enforcement, report writing and alcohol enforcement.
Visit michigan.gov/conservationofficers to learn about the duties of conservation officers and the hiring process, or to contact a DNR Law Enforcement Division recruiter. For more information about Recruit School #9, contact Lt. Steve Burton at 517-284-5993.
The DNR Law Enforcement Division is Michigan’s oldest statewide law enforcement agency, created in 1887. Conservation officers serve a unique role within the law enforcement community. While their primary mission is to enforce fish, game and natural resource protection laws, they also are certified peace officers with authority to enforce all of Michigan’s criminal laws. Because of their specialized training and versatility, conservation officers often are first to respond in situations such as medical emergencies, missing persons and public safety threats.
