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Join DWR’s Conservation Police to Serve Virginia’s Diverse Population
Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is thrilled to announce they are now taking applications for the 11th Conservation Police training academy. DWR will have two academies during training – basic and modified, based on applicant qualifications. Applications will be accepted February 1, 2021 – March 2, 2021.
“We are excited to offer this opportunity to assist in our protection of Virginia’s wildlife resources,” said Ryan Brown, Executive Director of DWR. “As wildlife and outdoor recreation are for everyone, we want this to be the most diverse and inclusive recruitment in the history of the agency, fully representative of all of the Commonwealth’s citizens.”
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, paddlers, wildlife watchers, or just people enjoying a day outside. 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, assisting 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 nine 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. The basic training academy sessions provide an opportunity to develop positive relationships, familiarity with the agency’s mission, and esprit de corps with classmates, all of which 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. During the application process, applicants are able to list their preferred work duty stations (counties). If the applicant successfully completes training, they will be given their potential location 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 encourages 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.