Since graduating in December from the DNR’s 23-week Conservation Officer Recruit School No. 9 in Lansing, the officers have traveled the state completing their field training program and gaining diverse experience as probationary officers.

Statewide, 23 officers have been assigned, including eight in the Upper Peninsula.

“My love for hunting and fishing started at an early age, influenced by my father and brothers,” said Ariel Corr, who will work in Dickinson County. “I am dedicated to everything that I hold close to my heart, and confident that I will be able help teach others about all of the great things Michigan has to offer.”

Anna Viau, who was assigned to Iron County, said she looks forward to working with the people in the community who are passionate about natural resources. “Conservation officers can’t be everywhere, so it’s important to share our knowledge with the people we meet, so they can help advocate for natural resources, too,” she said.

ANNA VIAU

The new conservation officers received their permanent county assignments before graduating from the academy. After graduation, conservation officers must complete three phases of probationary training before they move into their permanent county assignments.

“We want to ensure that our new officers are able to apply what they learned in the academy and use those skills in real-life scenarios, in addition to learning new skills from the field training officers they are partnered with,” said F/Lt. Jason Wicklund.

The academy involved off-road training to operate specialized vehicles, such as four-wheel-drive trucks, ORVs, snowmobiles and patrol boats — everyday tools used by conservation officers to patrol Michigan’s natural resources. Recruits took several trips to specialized training locations throughout Michigan, including the Camp Grayling Training Center, the GM Proving Grounds in Milford and the Ingham County Jail, in addition to completing scenario testing at several parks.

The new conservation officers will be available to provide policing assistance in small communities across the Upper Peninsula, said Lt. Ryan Aho, DNR Law Enforcement Division supervisor in the western U.P. “An added benefit to local law enforcement agencies,” he said.

While their primary mission is to enforce fish, game and natural resource protection laws, conservation officers serve a unique role as certified peace officers with authority to enforce all of Michigan’s criminal laws. Because of their specialized training and equipment, conservation officers often are first responders to situations involving medical emergencies, missing persons and public safety threats.

Founded in 1887, the DNR Law Enforcement Division is Michigan’s oldest statewide law enforcement agency.