San Bernardino National Forest
San Bernardino
National Forest 909-382-2600 |
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Law Enforcement And Investigations
Law enforcement is an integral part of the overall management of the National Forest System. Law enforcement personnel, line officers, and appropriate staff ensure that prevention, investigation, enforcement, and program management requirements are fully integrated into all National Forest System resource management programs. Law enforcement personnel operate as full partners within the Forest Service organization in carrying out the agency's mission, especially in upholding federal laws and regulations that protect natural resources, agency employees, and the public. Accomplishment of the Forest Service law enforcement mission is a product of trust, cooperation, and collaboration between law enforcement personnel and other agency employees.
Our Vision
The Law Enforcement and Investigations organization is an integral part of the Forest Service, recognized as leaders in public and employee safety, natural resource protection, and as a professional cooperator with other law enforcement agencies. The law enforcement organization is a diverse workforce committed to integrity, responsibility, and accountability.
Our Mission
To serve people, protect natural resources and property within the authority and jurisdiction of the Forest Service.
Our Objectives
1. Protect the public, employees, natural resources, and other property under
the jurisdiction of the Forest Service,
2. Investigate and enforce applicable laws and regulations which effect the
National Forest System, and
3. Prevent criminal violations through informing and educating visitors and
users of applicable laws and regulations.
Patrol
Uniformed Law Enforcement Officers enforce Federal laws and regulations governing National Forest Lands and resources. As part of that mission, Law Enforcement Officer's carry firearms, defensive equipment, make arrests, execute search warrants, complete reports and testify in court. They establish a regular and recurring presence on a vast amount of public lands, roads, and recreation sites. The regulations Law Enforcement Officers enforce include 36 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 242 & 261. Part 261 of 36 CFR refers to regulations that apply to all National Forest lands nation wide. The primary focus of their jobs is the protection of natural resources, protection of Forest Service employees and the protection of visitors. What follows is a list of the some of the different aspects of our job. Law Enforcement Officers on the San Bernardino National Forest have California Peace Officer powers and may enforce state and local laws.Work closely and maintain liaison with local, state and other federal law enforcement officials.
Protection of archeological resources.
Conduct informational and educational programs.
Timber theft investigations.
Vehicle accident investigations.
Provide emergency medical aid.
Enforcement of state motor vehicle laws on forest roads.
Enforcement of fish and wildlife regulations.
Wildfire investigation.
Investigation of controlled substance distribution & manufacture.
Service of search and arrest warrants.
Work cooperatively with the state and local law enforcement agencies on search and rescue missions
Assist special agents with internal investigations of criminal activity.
Investigations
Special Agents are criminal investigators who plan and conduct investigations concerning possible violations of criminal and administrative provisions of the Forest Service and other statues under the United States Code. Special agents are normally plain clothes officers who carry concealed firearms, and other defensive equipment, make arrests, carry out complex criminal investigations, present cases for prosecution to U.S. Attorneys, and prepare investigative reports.National Forest lands are divided administratively into regions, each region has a Special Agent in Charge that oversees the law enforcement program. All other positions in the law enforcement organization through upward reporting report to the Special Agent in Charge. The typical organization below the Special Agent in Charge is one position to supervise the investigative division and one patrol commander to supervise the enforcement organization. Depending upon the number of employees in each region, each regional organization is supported by administrative personnel possibly including a budget analyst, administrative assistant, and investigative assistant. The administrative assistant handles personnel issues, budget, travel, filing, and data input of incident reports. Each region is divided into zones and special agents are stationed in each zone according to work load . All field agents are required to travel a great deal and usually maintain a case load of ten to fifteen ongoing criminal investigations at one time.
Some examples of criminal cases are:
Illegal outfitter and guiding
Theft of government property
Timber theft
Investigations of wildland fire origins
Manufacture & distribution of controlled substances
Assault of federal employees or volunteers
Criminal investigators occasionally conduct internal and civil claim investigations.
Forest Rules and Regulations
These regulations have been made by the Secretary of Agriculture to assure the enjoyment of recreation in the National Forests. They are common sense rules meant to control actions that cause damage to natural resources and facilities, as well as actions that cause unreasonable disturbances for National Forest visitors.
Special orders are put into effect to address particular management problems.
Special orders are signed by Regional Foresters and Forest Supervisors and vary
in duration. Special orders are posted at Forest Service Ranger District offices
and Forest Supervisors offices in the office nearest to the area effected, or
they may be posted at the Ranger Station and the actual site.
Some of the reasons for implementation of special orders is to protect public
safety, prevent resource damage, preserve a particular areas setting (such as
non motorized), protect wildlife populations and many other reasons. Special
orders may prohibit a specific activity or impose permit requirements. Some
examples of permits that may be required are hiking, camping or burning permits.
Visit the Rules and Regulations, Regional and Forest
Orders page for the San Bernardino National Forest
United States Forest Service Law Enforcement Contact Information
USFS Law Enforcement Patrol
Division
San Bernardino National Forest
Captain Ken Harp
(909) 382-2600
USFS
Law Enforcement Resource Investigations Division
San Bernardino National Forest
Special Agent Dan Briot
(909) 382-2699
United States Forest Service
- San Bernardino National Forest
Last Modified:
Tuesday, 07 April 2009 at 20:50:20 EDT