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Conservation Officers

Two patrol trucks with Detroit skyline

Conservation Officers

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.

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.

Five conservation officers Belle Isle

Become a CO

Academy blog, recruiters, hiring process and training to become a conservation officer

Conservation officers on side by side

Conservation Officer Biweekly Reports

Reports detailing the activity of the COs in the field from across the state.

Memorial in the woods

Fallen Officers

Remembering officers who died in the line of duty

co using binoculars by truck

Locate an Officer

Map of the nine DNR law enforcement districts, with contact information. If you witness a natural resource violation, immediately contact Report All Poaching.

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