Law Enforcement on National Wildlife Refuges
Our Law Enforcement Vision:
Through education and enforcement, we protect our employees, volunteers, and visitors, the integrity of the habitat, the wildlife and the cultural trust resources, and safeguard the public's investment in the facilities and equipment of the 150 million-acre NWRS.
Federal Wildlife Officers of the National Wildlife Refuge System are dedicated to natural resource protection and public safety. Nationwide wildlife officers contribute to community policing, environmental education and outreach, protection of native subsistence rights, as well as other activities supporting the Service's conservation mission. Officers are routinely involved with the greater law enforcement community in cooperative efforts to combat the nation's drug problems, addressing border security issues, and other pressing challenges.
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In the Pacific Southwest Region, Federal Wildlife Officers protect the security and safety of refuge visitors, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees and volunteers, government property, and wildlife populations and habitats. Federal Wildlife Officers support a broad spectrum of Service programs by enforcing conservation laws established to protect the fish, wildlife, cultural and archaeological resources the Service manages in trust for the American people.
The National Wildlife Refuges managed by the Pacific Southwest Region are located in California, Nevada and the Klamath Basin and consist of extensive grassland, forest, marsh and desert landscapes. Each of these landscapes has a diversity of resources and law enforcement needs. As a result, the specific duties of each wildlife officer can vary considerably. For example, in the southwestern desert, officers may spend a considerable amount of time interacting with recreational off-highway vehicle users; officers in urban interface areas encounter a variety of trespass crimes that can include hazardous materials dumping; and officers in the northern portion of the region regularly deal with marijuana cultivation.
The Pacific Southwest Region is proud of its Federal Wildlife Officer's commitment to the safety of visitors on public lands and their vigilance in protecting natural resources for future generations.
Our Law Enforcement Goals:.
Enhance the protection and management of fish, wildlife, and other natural and cultural resources on NWRS lands and conservation easements; Obtain compliance from the public with laws and regulations necessary for proper administration, management, and protection of federally protected fish and wildlife; Provide a safe environment for Service employees, volunteers, and visitors; and Assist visitors in understanding refuge laws and regulations through effective outreach and positive visitor contacts.
Becoming a Federal Wildlife Officer:
Prior to beginning their career as a Federal Wildlife Officer, a recruit must complete a rigorous training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
The course curriculum includes a wide range of classroom and tactical training, which covers subjects like federal law, defensive tactics, search and rescue, and first aid.
Upon successful completion of the training course wildlife officers are authorized to carry firearms, conduct investigations, issue citations and make arrests pursuant to law and policy.
Following graduation, each new wildlife officer reports for advanced field training, and works alongside seasoned wildlife officers during a short term orientation period. Officers are assigned to a wildlife refuge following this training.
Whether responding to a crime in progress, searching for a lost hiker, rendering first aid, or simply giving directions to refuge visitors Federal Wildlife Officers are well qualified and equipped to serve and protect visitors, as well as wildlife and their habitat.
State, Territorial and Tribal Fish and Wildlife Offices
Becoming a Federal Wildlife Officer:
Prior to beginning their career as a Federal Wildlife Officer, a recruit must complete a rigorous training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
The course curriculum includes a wide range of classroom and tactical training, which covers subjects like federal law, defensive tactics, search and rescue, and first aid.
Upon successful completion of the training course wildlife officers are authorized to carry firearms, conduct investigations, issue citations and make arrests pursuant to law and policy.
Following graduation, each new wildlife officer reports for advanced field training, and works alongside seasoned wildlife officers during a short term orientation period. Officers are assigned to a wildlife refuge following this training.
Whether responding to a crime in progress, searching for a lost hiker, rendering first aid, or simply giving directions to refuge visitors Federal Wildlife Officers are well qualified and equipped to serve and protect visitors, as well as wildlife and their habitat.
What We Do
Report Refuge Violations
National Tip Line
1-844-NWR-TIPS (697-8477)
Report Wildlife Crime Online:
CALIFORNIA - CalTIP
Californians Turn in Poachers and Polluters
1-888-334-CALTIP (888-334-2258)
NEVADA - Operation Game Thief
Operation Game Thief protects Nevada's diverse wildlife resources, which ultimately belong to you. Together we can protect Nevada's wildlife for future generations.
Call 1-800-992-3030 to report a wildlife violation in Nevada.
Oregon Turn In Poachers
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is The Turn-In-Poachers (TIP) reward is paid for information leading to the arrest/conviction of person(s) for the illegal possession, killing, taking, and/or waste of deer, elk, antelope, bear, cougar, big horn sheep, mountain goat, moose, and/or game birds.
How to Report a Wildlife and/or Habitat Law Violation or Suspicious Activity in Oregon:
TIP Hotline: 1-800-452-7888 (24/7) TIP E-Mail: TIP@state.or.us (Monitored M-F 8:00AM - 5:00PM) (Please use the TIP Hotline for Weekend and Evening Reporting)
