10 new conservation officers join the DNR

In a ceremony marking the culmination of 12 weeks of intensive training, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources welcomed 10 conservation officers to its ranks during a ceremony Tuesday, July 15, at Camp Ripley.

“When our recruits finish our academy, we know that they have received the best training available anywhere,” said Col. Ken Soring, DNR Enforcement chief. “We pride ourselves on selecting the best people available and giving them the best training in order to provide the highest quality service possible to the people of Minnesota who depend on us for natural resources protection.”

Training sessions at the academy included youth outreach/education programs, warrant requirements, emergency vehicle operation, self-defense, watercraft laws, recreational vehicle safety and regulations, game identification and enforcement, crime scene management and evidence collection.
Each graduating officer was chosen from among hundreds of applicants who underwent a rigorous written practical examination to qualify for the academy, as well as a division interview, pre-work screening (functional capacity exam), psychological profile and background check.

The new officers will now spend the next 16 weeks field training with experienced conservation officers to gain on-the-job training for natural resources management and law enforcement-related activities before receiving their initial field station.