Conservation officers (COs) are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Stationed in nearly every county of the state, these fully licensed peace officers enforce laws related to fish and wildlife, state parks, trails and forests, and outdoor recreation activities such as off-road vehicle use, snowmobiling and boating. They are also first responders to a variety of natural disasters and emergencies.Duties
CO duties vary from season to season and include observing and checking hunters and anglers, enforcing snowmobiling, off-road vehicle and watercraft regulations; enforcing laws that protect the environment; outdoor recreation safety education; writing criminal case briefs and giving court testimony. They work varied shifts, often outdoors in inclement weather. Because they enforce hunting regulations, COs often deal with those possessing firearms. As peace officers, on occasion they make physical arrests of criminals who may be intoxicated and/or disorderly.
In addition to enforcement, COs have a wide array of responsibilities including education, recreational safety and public outreach. They also take part in multi-agency operations, patrols and training exercises with the U.S. Coast Guard, Michigan State Police, county sheriff departments, city police departments, U.S. Customs, Border Patrol, and Fish and Wildlife Service, and tribal agencies.
- See the Bi-Weekly Reports >
These bi-weekly reports detail the activity of the Conservation Officers in the field from across the state.
- See Essential Job Functions >
The essential job functions of a Michigan Conservation Officer.
- Locate a Conservation Officer >
Map of the nine DNR law enforcement districts, with contact information.
Becoming a CO
The application deadline for the next Conservation Officer Recruit School was March 1.
Recruit School #9 runs July 15 through Dec. 20 at the training academy in Dimondale, near Lansing.The hiring and training process has several steps, including a written examination, application, physical fitness test, pre-screening interview, in-depth background investigation, final interview, and a psychological assessment and medical evaluation. Successful candidates are hired and begin training. Training consists of a conservation officer academy that runs more than 20 weeks, followed by 18 weeks of field training and an additional 4-5 weeks of specialized training in the areas of marine, off-road vehicle, fish and game, and waterfowl enforcement.
Interested in becoming a conservation officer? We encourage anyone interested to take the entry-level law enforcement exam. You must take and pass this exam before applying.
- Entry-Level Law Enforcement Exam
- Contact a Recruiter
- CO Academy
- Conservation Officer Hiring Process
