New Conservation Officer Training to Begin

Forty men and four women from across the state will report on Sunday to begin training as Michigan’s newest conservation officers. The recruits will fill positions with the Department of Natural Resources created by new funding from the legislature, new income from increased hunting and fishing license fees, and some retirements. The 22-week training academy includes 14 weeks of basic police training and eight weeks of specialized conservation officer training. Eleven of the new recruits are military veterans.

DNR conservation officers are certified police officers with the authority to enforce all of Michigan’s criminal laws. As conservation officers, they specialize in a wide variety of other areas related to the protection of Michigan’s citizens and natural resources.

Recruitment for the next class of conservation officers is ongoing. If you’re interested, DNR Law Enforcement Division Training Supervisor Lt. Andrew Turner says you start by taking the Michigan Civil Service exam and completing an application. You’ll find information online here.