LED 2017 Annual Programs Report - SOM - State of … Enforcement Division 2017 ANNUAL PROGRAMS...

Law Enforcement Division Michigan Department of Natural Resources

2017 Annual Programs Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 3LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION PERSONNEL ............................... 4LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION DISTRICTS .................................. 5BASIC STATISTICS TABLE .............................................................. 6FISH & GAME – WILDLIFE ............................................................... 7FISH & GAME – FISH ....................................................................... 8PRIVATELY OWNED CERVIDAE (POC) ........................................... 9MARINE .......................................................................................... 10SNOWMOBILE ................................................................................ 11OFF-ROAD VEHICLES (ORV) ........................................................ 12ENVIRONMENTAL .......................................................................... 13COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT (CZM) ....................................... 14LAND & WATER ............................................................................. 15HUNTER EDUCATION ................................................................... 17REPORT ALL POACHING (RAP) .................................................... 18TRIBAL ............................................................................................ 19SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS .......................................................... 20COMMERCIAL FISH ....................................................................... 21AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES ....................................................... 22TRAINING ....................................................................................... 23ADMINISTRATION .......................................................................... 24EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS ................................................... 25GENERAL CRIMINAL ..................................................................... 26ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS SECTION .......................... 27CONCLUSION ................................................................................ 28

This Annual Programs Report was compiled using 2016 data.

Law Enforcement Division 2017 ANNUAL PROGRAMS REPORT Page 3

INTRODUCTION

Founded in 1887, the Law Enforcement Division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is Michigan’s oldest statewide law enforcement agency. The Law Enforcement Division recognizes that it has an obligation to be responsive and accountable to the needs and shared interests of our stakeholders, partners, and customers. The Division also welcomes the fact that it must successfully carry out multiple responsibilities while playing a primary and vital role in safeguarding Michigan’s vast array of natural resources for future generations. Our Law Enforcement Division team consists of highly dedicated sworn officers and civilians who strive to protect our citizens and our natural resources.

The Law Enforcement Division needs to continually recognize and address the growing demand for the services we provide. Today we find it necessary to continue expanding our abilities to address the needs and concerns of our stakeholders and citizens in regard to the protection of the fisheries of the Great Lakes and the inland lakes from aquatic invasive species and other emerging concerns. We continue to identify potential resources to increase our ability to protect the Great Lakes.

We are committed to a focus on good governance and accountability. External stakeholders, partners and customers rightly expect that government agencies will be fair, efficient, and effective. The Law Enforcement Division embraces and strives to surpass those expectations. Our Division personnel have similar expectations. They want to make certain that they have the training, expertise, and equipment to meet the expectations of our external and internal stakeholders, partners, and customers.

Contained within the Annual Report you will find information and statistics on our program accomplishments for 2016. Statistics are gathered for the entire calendar year, annualized and verified, to provide the information contained within this 2017 Annual Report.

The Department of Natural Resources Mission The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management,

use and enjoyment of the State’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations.

Law Enforcement Division’s Mission The mission of the Law Enforcement Division is to

protect Michigan’s natural resources and the environment, and the health and safety of the public

through effective law enforcement and education.

Law Enforcement Division 2017 ANNUAL PROGRAMS REPORT

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LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION PERSONNEL As of October 1, 2016, Law Enforcement Division (LED) was comprised of 249 employees. There were 225 commissioned officers and 24 support services personnel.

UNIT Chief/ Asst. Chief Captain Lt. 15 Lt. 14 Sgt.13 CO 12 Det.12 CO TOTAL

FIELD 2 2 DIST 1 1 3 12 16 DIST 2 1 2 10 13 DIST 3 1 3 16 19 DIST 4 1 3 19 23 DIST 5 1 3 21 25 DIST 6 1 3 16 19 DIST 7 1 3 20 24 DIST 8 1 3 19 23 DIST 9 1 3 14 18 WRPS 1 2 5 3 11

FIELD TOTAL 2 10 2 26 5 3 118 193 DIVISION OFFICERS

EXECUTIVE 2 1 3

RECREATIONAL SAFETY 1 2 4 7 TRAINING/LEGAL 1 1 2 PCO 17* 21

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 1 1 TOTAL 2 1 3 3 6 17 32

CIVILIAN STAFF Specialist/Analyst Tech Acct Dispatcher Manager Secretary

EXECUTIVE 1 1 2 SUPPORT 1 2 1 1 5

RECREATIONAL SAFETY 1 1 1 3 TRAINING/LEGAL 1 1 2

COMMUNICATIONS 11 1 12 TOTALS 4 4 1 11 2 2 24

*PCO – Probationary Conservation Officer DIVISION TOTAL 249


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LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION DISTRICTS

**Wildlife Resource Protection Section (WRPS) Detectives and Commercial Fish Specialists assist district field operations statewide.


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BASIC STATISTICS TABLE Hours Worked Arrests Complaints Warnings Contacts

* This figure represents a total for Fish & Wildlife combined

** RAP–communications staff hours are figured into the Administration totals.

WRPS Detective hours are figured into the Wildlife totals.

*** This figure does not include 406 warrants

Wildlife *175,926.1 2,414 8,833 3,069 103,379

Fish 1,985 952 3,395 104,812

Privately Owned Cervidae (POC) 12.3 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Marine 53,827.06 1,225 500 4,646 90,539

Snowmobile 18,526 952 236 3,298 36,066

Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) 26,877.7 2,058 623 5,811 22,870

Environmental 662.1 85 224 68 772

Coastal Zone Management (CZM) 138.2 1 3 0 45

Land/Water 5,838.8 539 1,327 1,454 13,620

Hunter Ed 13,291.5 n/a n/a n/a Students Certified 12,785

Report All Poaching (RAP) ** n/a n/a n/a Complaints Received

6,973

Training 71,167.47 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Administration **105,044.17 n/a n/a n/a n/a

Emergency Response 4,423.9 n/a n/a n/a n/a

General Law 25,623.1 ***1,163 898 4,292 37,256

TOTALS 501,358.40 10,422 13,596 26,033 429,117


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FISH & GAME – WILDLIFE

Wildlife Arrests Wildlife Complaints

Wildlife Inspections

Wildlife Presentations

2,414 8,833 502 1,024


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FISH & GAME – FISH Michigan has a diverse freshwater ecosystem. The state is host to numerous species of fish, including several cold-water species.

Other aquatic species include amphibians, reptiles, and mollusks. Many of these species are protected during all or part of the year.

Michigan Conservation Officers (COs) actively seek to protect these species through aggressive education and enforcement including: classroom presentations, license enforcement, season/size enforcement, snagging patrols, spawning closure protection, bait dealer inspections, and commercial/wholesale fish inspections.

COs patrol varied hours and may work independently or in groups. Group patrols are often used in organized enforcement efforts, such as snagging or spawning closure patrols.

COs use a variety of equipment to assist them with routine fish patrols. Boats, canoes, and kayaks are often used to navigate the different types of waterways encountered.

Fish and Wildlife Combined:

Fish Arrests Fish Complaints

1,985 952

Hours Worked Fees Collected

(Judgement Fees and Reimbursement)

175,926.1 $341,921.20


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PRIVATELY OWNED CERVIDAE (POC) There are numerous Privately Owned Cervidae (POC) enclosures within the State of Michigan. There are also added responsibilities associated with regulating and monitoring these enclosures in order to protect against the spread of disease into free ranging wildlife species.

The Law Enforcement Division readily assists both the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Division (WLD) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) with monitoring efforts. Due to a positive case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) found in a Michigan enclosure, Michigan Conservation Officers (COs) assist in serving quarantines and provide security for the accompanying civilian biologists and veterinarians from WLD and MDARD.

Conservation officers play an active role in enforcement of POC regulations. COs assist with numerous facility and fence inspections and handle all enforcement activities when legal action is brought against a facility and its owner.

Hours Worked

12.3


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MARINE Michigan Conservation Officers (COs) are responsible for ensuring the safety and protection of the largest surface area of fresh water in the world. These waters include the Great Lakes, over 11,000 inland lakes, and over 36,000 miles of rivers and streams. There are nearly 795,000 registered vessels within the state as well as untold numbers of persons using canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and other vessels not required to be registered in Michigan. According to the US Coast Guard, Michigan remains a leader across the country for the number of registered vessels.

COs have numerous duties related to public safety, marine enforcement, and safety education. They commonly make presentations at marine safety classes across the state. They also inspect Michigan’s commercial charter boat fleet and navigable livery boats. COs are often involved in search & rescue and recovery operations and work in conjunction with the US Coast Guard, Michigan State Police, and county sheriff’s departments.

COs are tasked with conducting numerous administrative marine and permit investigations, some of which may include: local watercraft control ordinances, buoy/beacon placements, special events, and ski slalom courses. These investigations are paramount in assuring fair and equal use of public waters among user groups as well as ensuring safe and organized navigation.

Law Enforcement Division (LED) administers federal grant monies from the US Coast Guard for Michigan. These monies are used for equipment, enforcement, and education. LED allocates a set portion of these grant monies to county sheriff’s departments across the state to assist in enforcement and education.

*Hours are included in Total Hours Worked.

Total Hours Worked Arrests Complaints

53,827.06 1,225 500

Students Certified

Permit Investigations

Charter Boat Inspections

User Contacts

13,380 174 (*97 hours)

358 (*1,655 hours)

90,539


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SNOWMOBILE Michigan has one of the largest snowmobile trail systems in the nation. There are currently over 6,500 miles of groomed designated snowmobile trails located throughout the state. Michigan Conservation Officers (COs) enforce snowmobile rules and regulations on public trails, along roadways, and near private property to ensure public safety, protect the environment, and check for license compliance. In addition to conventional snowmobile patrol operations, COs routinely enforce snowmobile regulations in conjunction with fish and game patrols on public lands, seasonal roads, and frozen lakes.

Enforcement techniques vary depending on location and time. Most often patrols are accomplished with the use of snowmobiles and 4-wheel drive patrol vehicles. Typically, officers concentrate their efforts in high traffic areas during peak times, such as weekends and holidays. In addition to solitary patrol, COs often utilize group patrols, some of which may include enforcement personnel from other law enforcement agencies. Group patrols often focus on specific issues, such as general public events on trails and lakes, sound enforcement, race events, or focusing on illegal operations including drag racing, and drug or alcohol violations.

Law Enforcement Division (LED) is tasked with administering Michigan’s snowmobile education program. COs take a lead role in youth education. Officers commonly make presentations at snowmobile safety classes across the state. In addition, LED assists in allocating grant funding for local law enforcement agencies for snowmobile enforcement and education.

Hours Worked Arrests Complaints Students Certified

18,526 952 236 1,647


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OFF-ROAD VEHICLES (ORV) Michigan has more than 3,800 miles of designated trails and routes that are used by countless ORV operators each year. Conservation Officers (COs) keep these trails safe and secure by patrolling the trails utilizing motorcycles, ORVs/ATVs, sport utility vehicles and four-wheel drive patrol trucks.

Public safety and environmental protection are top priorities for the Law Enforcement Division. COs are often seen patrolling along trails and in remote areas. Although COs focus efforts on weekends and holidays, patrols may be conducted day or night and at varying times of the year. Group patrols are often used to target recognized problem areas, including: hill climb areas, river and stream crossings, wetland/bog areas and other protected venues.

As ORV popularity has grown, so have the complaints of illegal operation on public lands. This has caused COs to devote increasing amounts of their daily

patrol time to ORV related complaints on state and federal lands. This effort often leads to enforcement action for operating off designated trail systems, through sensitive habitat and in forest production areas. Additionally, COs continue to enforce drug and alcohol violations to ensure the safety of all operators and the public.

Conservation Officers play an important role in ORV youth education by attending numerous safety classes across the state. Law Enforcement Division additionally administers and allocates additional ORV funds to outside law enforcement agencies in Michigan to assist with enforcement and youth education.

Hours Worked Arrests Complaints Students Certified

26,877.7 2,058 623 3,747


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ENVIRONMENTAL Michigan Conservation Officers (COs) routinely enforce environmental protection laws. Many of these investigations include: littering on public lands, illegal disposal of solid waste, illegal tire disposal, and septic waste hauling. These investigations are either complaint generated or are discovered through routine daily patrol.

COs have been assisting the DNR Forest Resources Division with a statewide litter initiative. When a trash pile is located on public lands, a CO calls to report the location into dispatch. After conducting a criminal investigation to locate the person(s) responsible, the litter is scheduled for cleanup by volunteers from the community.

Hours Worked Arrests Complaints

662.1 85 224


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COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT (CZM) Michigan, by virtue of the Great Lakes, is home to many underwater shipwrecks and antiquities known as “Great Lakes Bottomland Preserves.” These areas are located on the bottomlands of the Great Lakes and may extend upward to and include the surface of the water. These preserves typically have special historical, ecological, recreational, educational, or scientific value. Michigan law protects these items from being removed, altered, or destroyed. The Law Enforcement Division works in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Quality and the Michigan History Center in these protection efforts.

Hours Worked Number of Patrols

138.2 14


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LAND & WATER Wetlands Michigan is rich in wetland habitat. However, these wetlands have been disappearing at an alarming rate over the past several generations.

Conservation Officers (COs) actively seek out violations of the Wetland Protection Act, Inland Lakes and Streams Act, and the Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act. Violations may include: dredging or filling lakes and streams, placing structures on bottomlands, creating, enlarging, or diminishing a lake or stream or interfering with the natural flow of an inland lake or stream.

COs work closely with staff from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality when conducting investigations and determining legal action. In some of the most serious cases, orders of restoration and restitution may be ordered by the courts.


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Lands Michigan has vast public land and property resources. Currently, Michigan has over 9 million acres of land open to some level of public hunting; including federal, state, and commercial forest lands. There are 103 state parks, 140 state forest campgrounds, and several hundred public access sites. These properties are managed by the Parks and Recreation Division (PRD) and Forest Resources Division (FRD) within the Department of Natural Resources.

As support to these divisions, Michigan Conservation Officers (COs) actively patrol these venues. In addition to general criminal law, each of the state forests, parks, and access sites are governed by official rules and orders set forth by the Director of the DNR. COs enforce all laws, rules, and orders to ensure public safety and state property protection. Many of these enforcement activities include: illegal timber cutting, forest fire investigations, trespass, illegal commercialization of forest resources, failure to pay required fees, vandalism, disorderly persons, off-road vehicle use, and illegal narcotics use or cultivation. In addition to proactive patrols in these areas, COs respond to complaints from PRD, FRD, and private citizens.

Land and Water statistical data are combined.

Hours Worked Arrests Complaints

5,838.8 539 1,327


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HUNTER EDUCATION The DNR manages the Michigan hunter education program. Hunter education in Michigan became mandatory in 1971 for young hunters and was modified in 1988 to include all hunters born after January 1, 1960. The program has evolved through the years as one of the premier programs in the nation. A Michigan hunter education safety certificate is accepted in all 50 states as well as many other countries. The hunter education program has expanded to include bow hunter and trapper education programs.

These programs are administered by dedicated Law Enforcement Division (LED) employees specializing in the hunter education program. These employees train and oversee a network of 3,800 volunteer instructors. LED, through these instructors, trains, and certifies approximately 13,000 students annually within these three programs. Field Conservation Officers also play a critical role in the safety programs by assisting and giving presentations at safety classes. For many of the students, this is their first exposure to a Conservation Officer and it provides a positive interaction in a non-law enforcement setting where students can learn both the role of a Conservation Officer and the importance of managing our natural resources.

Hours Worked

Classroom Presentations

Students Certified

13,291.5 1,958 12,785


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REPORT ALL POACHING (RAP) Law Enforcement Division (LED) administers and operates the Report All Poaching (RAP) hotline. The RAP hotline is a reporting system that allows citizens across the state to report fish, game, or other natural resource law violations. This complaint information is forwarded to a local Conservation Officer (CO). RAP protects the personal information of the caller and also provides for monetary awards for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of poachers.

Dispatchers assigned to the RAP program are highly trained professionals. The RAP hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Dispatchers are equipped with state of the art equipment and are able to contact COs by various methods. Prompt and accurate collection and relay of information to COs has led to the apprehension and prosecution of numerous game law violators. The RAP program is vitally important to the protection of Michigan’s natural resources.

*In addition to field COs, LED has a complement of detectives assigned to the Wildlife Resource Protection Section (WRPS). Thesedetectives assist field officers with in-depth and complex investigations. Detectives often work joint investigations with other statesand provinces and the United State Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).

Communications Section

Employees Complaints Received

Closed By Arrest

Arrest Percentage

12 6,973 830 **13.87%

* Note: WRPS Detective statistics are reflected in Wildlife totals.** Derived after subtracting number of ‘information only’ complaints (989).


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TRIBAL Michigan has a legacy of Native American history and culture. There are numerous Native American tribes residing in Michigan. Some of these tribes have entered into consent decrees with the State of Michigan and the United States government. These decrees contain provisions related to the exercise of treaty-reserved rights for all hunting, trapping, fishing on both inland and Great Lakes waters, and gathering activities that occur inland within the specified treaty-ceded areas. Michigan Conservation Officers (COs) work closely with tribal authorities to ensure that the rights and regulations set forth in the decrees are honored and enforced.

In addition to field COs, the Law Enforcement

Division (LED) has a number of dedicated Great Lakes Enforcement Specialists (GLES). These GLESs are housed within the Wildlife Resource Protection Section of the LED. CFSs enforce laws that regulate commercial and wholesale fish regulations. GLESs carry out their duties on each of our Great Lakes. They enforce regulations on both commercial and tribal fishers, and work closely with Michigan COs and Tribal Enforcement officers. Responsibilities may include: responding to complaints of lost, abandoned, and illegal fishing nets, removing illegal nets, inspecting commercial fishing vessels, and inspecting wholesale and commercial fish houses.

Statistical data for this area is combined in other sections within this report.

Referrals to Tribal Enforcement

Tribal Inspections

25 456


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SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS Detectives assigned to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) are highly trained and skilled investigators that come from the ranks of uniformed field Conservation Officers. They receive additional training such as interview and interrogation, evidence handling, and covert investigations.

Detectives work in a plain clothes capacity and have a range of responsibilities. Priorities for SIU are investigating complaints of illegal commercialization of fish, wildlife or natural resources, syndicated poaching organizations, and threatened or endangered species. They are also called upon to assist field COs with other cases such as internet investigations, privately owned cervid facilities, unlicensed charter fishing guides, and wildland arson investigations. SIU also works closely with the Great Lakes Enforcement Unit (GLEU) to support efforts in fisheries enforcement and to prevent aquatic invasive species from entering Michigan’s waters.

Depending on the specifics of the case, detectives may investigate in an overt manner or take on an undercover role to infiltrate a poaching organization. It is common for SIU detectives to work in conjunction with investigators from other states to gather evidence of violations being committed by suspects who travel across state lines.

This unique work necessitates the use of specialized equipment. Detectives use unmarked vehicles, high powered surveillance optics, audio recording devices, and covert extended-use surveillance cameras.



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COMMERCIAL FISH LED’s Great Lakes Enforcement Unit (GLEU) is staffed by highly specialized officers. The Great Lakes Enforcement Specialists (GLES) and the Commercial Fish Investigator (CFI) of the GLEU are responsible for enforcement of regulations pertaining to both the state-licensed and tribal-licensed commercial fisheries on Michigan’s four Great Lakes. The GLEU has a fleet of four vessels ranging from 28 to 40 feet stationed strategically around the lakes to accomplish its mission of industry oversight. GLES conducts on-water patrols to board commercial fishing vessels and inspect the gear used to take fish. They also conduct onshore patrols to conduct inspections of vessels while dockside and of commercial fishing facilities.

In addition to checking commercial fishers on the Great Lakes, the GLES enforces regulations pertaining to the wholesale fish industry. These duties include inspections to check compliance of retained fish quantities and species as well as proper record keeping and reporting. The GLEU focuses on issues and complaints regarding the illegal take of fish by unlawful gear, closed seasons, unlawful species, size limits, and quota limits. GLES also conducts investigations on illegal syndicated commercialization of fish and improperly marked, lost, or abandoned nets. These nets often pose hazards to navigation. The GLEU is also the primary unit responsible for enforcing and monitoring the movement of aquatic invasive species.

The GLEU works closely with officers from neighboring Great Lakes states, the tribes, federal agencies, and Canada on joint patrols and investigations and is involved in homeland security and other maritime issues.


Commercial Fish Inspections

905


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AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES Law Enforcement Division (LED) has put a major emphasis on protecting Michigan’s Great Lakes and inland waters from the continual emerging threats from aquatic invasive species (AIS). LED has partnered with other DNR divisions, the United States Fish and Wildlife service, and other federal agencies to combine efforts and resources to combat these threats.

Efforts have been focused on enforcement and education to prevent of the spread of AIS. The Michigan State Police, Motor Carrier Division has also been enlisted and trained to detect prohibited species during their normal enforcement duties.

The Great Lakes Enforcement Unit (GLEU) routinely conducts inspections on businesses that are likely to possess and commercialize various invasive species. In a recent initiative, GLEU officers worked with US Customs and Border Patrol Agents and US Fish and Wildlife Service to conduct inspections at Detroit Metro Airport of 27 shipping containers of exotic fish arriving on a flight from the Philippines. Another recent investigation resulted in the identification and seizure of over 400 pounds of live, highly invasive, Red Swamp Crayfish that was being shipped from Texas to markets in Michigan.


Bait/Invasive Inspections

Public Outreach/ Presentations

789 22


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TRAINING Michigan Conservation Officers (COs) are highly trained peace officers. COs receive the basic law enforcement training that is required by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES). Due to the diversity of their responsibilities, COs receive advanced and specialized training. This training assists the COs with performing the routine tasks and duties that are expected on a daily basis. Some of the training may include: firearms, use of force, survival tactics, first aid, waterfowl enforcement, advanced marine enforcement, interview and interrogation, and emergency vehicle operation. Many of these training sessions are required on a periodic basis in order to maintain MCOLES certification.

Hours Worked

71,167.47


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ADMINISTRATION Michigan Conservation Officers (COs) perform many duties not solely related to a specific program. The hours spent on these activities are charged to administration. Examples of administrative duties are: biweekly paperwork, payroll entry, radio repairs, ticket audits, truck and equipment maintenance, and firearms and equipment cleaning.

In addition to COs, dispatch and civilian personnel devote time to administrative functions also. Much of this time is spent in general program support services, including: accounting, purchasing, timekeeping, and human resource responsibilities.

*RAP – communications staff hours arefigured into the Administration totals.

Hours Worked

*105,044.47


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EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS The Law Enforcement Division (LED) serves as the lead for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC). As such, all emergency responses provided from the DNR are coordinated through LED’s Emergency Management and Homeland Security Section.

Conservation Officers (COs) participate in numerous emergency management exercises and attend several training sessions and workshops sponsored through our state and federal emergency management and homeland security partners.

COs are routinely called upon to respond to national, state, and local emergencies on short notice. Officers have provided on-the-water security for critical infrastructure and international boundary waters when national security alert ratings were at high levels. COs routinely provide security at Department functions, including Natural Resources Commission meetings and DNR gas and mineral lease auctions.

Hours Worked Security Missions

4,423.9 113


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GENERAL CRIMINAL Michigan Conservation Officers (COs) patrol the state’s forests, roads, waters, and trails on a routine basis. Sometimes, during contacts with the public, an officer is faced with taking enforcement action on general criminal law violations. Often times, these violations occur on state lands and property, such as state parks and state forest campgrounds. Some of these law violations may include: illegal narcotics possession, weapons contraband, operating under the influence, driving while license suspended, and domestic/felonious assaults. The necessity to immediately stop the action to protect public safety mandates an immediate action from the CO. In addition to primary violations, COs often encounter fugitives that are wanted on outstanding arrest warrants. Court order mandates the CO to take action on those warrants.

In similar situations, the environment itself dictates who must handle general law enforcement duties. COs travel through remote and rugged areas during daily patrols that many outside law enforcement agencies cannot. Examples of this includes: lands only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles; waters accessible only by boat, canoe, or kayak; and trails or frozen lakes accessible only by off-road vehicles (ORV) or snowmobiles. In all of these situations, the Department may be held criminally and/or civilly responsible for not taking appropriate and timely action.

Conservation Officers are often requested by other agencies to assist with search and rescue operations. These requests are the result of department specialized training and equipment. Lost hunters, ice rescues, escaped prisoners, and stranded snowmobile and off-road vehicle operators are some examples.

Hours Worked

Assist other Agencies Arrests

25,623.1 2,083 *1,163

* This figure does not include 406 warrants.


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ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS SECTION The Environmental Investigations Section (EIS) provides investigative services for the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The EIS is funded by DEQ but managed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. Detectives assigned to EIS are highly trained investigators that come from both the ranks of traditional law enforcement agencies and the ranks of uniformed Conservation Officers. The detectives receive additional training in environmental law and investigation techniques. The complexity of cases involving environmental violations requires detectives to have highly advanced skills and be able to manage and present the cases to local county prosecutors as well as the Michigan Attorney General’s office in a manner so they may be clearly understood and successfully prosecuted.

Detectives are DEQ employees and are housed in various DEQ offices throughout the state in order to provide guidance and assistance to DEQ staff. Detectives provide site security for staff when conducting investigations but focus on conducting criminal investigations into violations of environmental law. Detectives also respond to scenes of major environmental incidents, assist local jurisdictions with environmental issues, and aid in environmental investigations that are often initiated by uniformed Conservation Officers. Additionally, detectives provide the mandatory environmental law training, set by the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, at all police academies and colleges within the state.

Due to the nature of environmental law violations, times, locations, and conditions present unique challenges to the investigators. Often times, nontraditional techniques must be used. EIS Detectives use specialized equipment such as covert tracking devices, night vision, covert cameras, and unmarked vehicles. EIS is instrumental in assuring egregious environmental violations are investigated. Often times, EIS investigations result in substantial criminal and civil fines and also ensure restoration to the environment.



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CONCLUSION This Annual Report identifies and documents LED’s accomplishments for 2016 which are directly related to the goals and objectives established in our Strategic Plan.

As we move forward, we will continue to analyze our annual accomplishments with specific measures and metrics. This will ensure we maintain sustained momentum and success in meeting the missions of both the Department and the Division.

LED 2017 Annual Programs Report - SOM - State of … Enforcement Division 2017 ANNUAL PROGRAMS...

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