LANSING, MI— Twelve new conservation officers are heading to work for the Department of Natural Resources across the state.
Eleven men and one woman graduated last week from the Conservation Officer Academy in Lansing. The 23-week training academy started July 10.
One of the recruits has been assigned to Baraga County, another to Menominee, and a third is heading to Ontonagon County. The probationary COs must first complete field training.
While their primary mission is to enforce fish, game, and natural resource protection laws, conservation officers are also certified law enforcement officers with authority to enforce all of Michigan’s criminal laws. Because of their specialized training, conservation officers often are first responders to situations involving medical emergencies, missing persons, and public safety threats.
