Chosen from a pool of nearly 400 applicants, 15 recruits assembled Sunday in Lansing to start down the path to becoming Michigan DNR conservation officers. The group gathered for day one of Conservation Officer Recruit School #11, during which they received intensive training to test them academically, emotionally and physically.
“We have high expectations for this group, all of whom bring diverse life experiences with them,” said Chief Dave Shaw, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “These new recruits will be immersed in the rich history and culture of DNR law enforcement, and they’ll receive instruction from the ‘best of the best’ — veteran conservation officers who excel in the many specialized areas that make conservation officers unique among the law enforcement community.”
Additionally, three certified police officers were also hired as DNR conservation officers. They were sworn in Tuesday and will begin their natural resources law enforcement training as probationary conservation officers.
While conservation officers’ mission is to protect Michigan’s natural resources and the health and safety of the public through effective law enforcement and education, these certified peace officers also enforce all of Michigan’s criminal laws. (Yes, this means they can pull you over for a traffic violation.)
Because of their specialized training and equipment, conservation officers often are first to respond in situations such as medical emergencies, lost or missing persons and public safety threats in all types of weather conditions and environments. In addition to fish and game and general criminal law enforcement, recruits also get training in waterfowl, trapping, firearms, survival tactics, precision driving, off-road vehicle operation and maintenance, water safety, first aid, criminal law, report writing and alcohol enforcement.
Those recruits who successfully complete the academy will join the ranks of Michigan’s conservation officers as part of the DNR Law Enforcement Division, the state’s oldest statewide law enforcement agency — now celebrating its 135th year.
