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Join DWR’s Conservation Police to Serve Virginia’s Citizens and Outdoors
Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is thrilled to announce they are now taking applications for the 12th Conservation Police training academy. DWR will have two academies during training – basic and modified, based on applicant qualifications. Applications are being accepted now – June 9, 2022.
“We are excited to offer this opportunity to assist in our protection of Virginia’s wildlife resources and service to all Virginians,” said Ryan Brown, Executive Director of DWR. “As wildlife and outdoor recreation are for everyone, we are looking for applicants fully representative of all of our citizens and who love our outside places and the opportunities that they afford.”
Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) are the heart of the Agency. On any given day, CPOs are outdoors protecting the citizens of Virginia, including hunters, anglers, boaters, paddlecraft users, wildlife watchers, or just people enjoying a day outside. Our CPOs aren’t just committed to wildlife and fisheries, they’re committed to caring for the entire Commonwealth. While the days can be long, they are filled with patrolling any of our waters, grabbing an ATV to track sick or injured wildlife, helping biologists retrieve a baby bear cub from a tree, monitoring our Wildlife Management Areas, or assisting another agency with one of our K9s. No day is the same at DWR but every day is eventful! If you have a passion for wildlife and fisheries, and supporting and helping the citizens of the Commonwealth, becoming a Conservation Police Officer may be your calling!
The basic and modified academies run simultaneously for 26 and 14 weeks. During that time, new officers will be based in Henrico County. DWR’s independent training academy seeks to instill the agency culture, philosophy, and expectations in newly hired new officers. The basic training academy sessions provide an opportunity to develop positive relationships and esprit de corps with classmates. These relationships carry on into recruits’ careers with the agency.
The Department provides seven-day-a-week lodging at no cost to the new officer during their training period and a state vehicle for official use. New officers can plan to receive training during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. There are a few weeks when training is received out of the area, as well as occasional weekends and nights. These off-site training sessions are conducted when field or specialized conditions are required. During the application process, applicants are able to list their preferred work duty stations (counties). If the officer successfully completes training, they will be given their county of assignment in their conditional offer letter.
“This is a career where you can protect our wildlife resources and make a strong connection with those who enjoy the outdoors,” said Colonel John Cobb, Chief of Law Enforcement. “If you have a passion for bringing others to the outdoors and serving a diverse community, we encourage you to apply as a CPO.”
DWR invites you to apply today to become a CPO. For more information, please visit: virginiawildlife.gov/conservation-police/recruiting/