Conservation officers dedicated, efficient

Utah's conservation officers suffer many of the same problems as other law enforcement officers, such as an inflated divorce rate, lower pay and job-related physical and mental stress. We have officers with 15 years of service making about $16 an hour. They work part-time jobs just to keep their families off food stamps and state-funded school lunch. They are church leaders, foster parents and everything else that a contributing, positive member of society is.

Why do Utah's conservation officers work long hours, weekends and holidays? Why do they accommodate people who show up at their house during Sunday dinner to tag a cougar? Why do they tirelessly respond to spotlighters at 1 a.m.? Because they are dedicated.

Regarding the report of widespread resentment, wildlife officers depend on the cooperation of the citizens of Utah. Our success is critically linked to the information we receive from the public. For the past 10 years, we have seen an increase in the number of calls to the Help-Stop-Poaching hotline. This is our lifeblood.

Our officers are professionals. They are educated and work their guts out. When people are prosecuted, complaints surface. This is typical of all law enforcement agencies. Considering the high number of contacts annually, the complaint rate is extremely low. The concerns that came to the surface in the transition team report were all dealt with individually and thoroughly by both the Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Wildlife Resources.

Every officer in the Division of Wildlife is committed to improving customer service skills and increasing the educational aspect of wildlife law enforcement. We recognize we have room to improve, as all state employees do. The great thing is we are aware of the problems — perceived and real. We have the support of the director of the Department of Natural Resources, Mike Styler, and of our division director, Jim Karpowitz, in addressing and improving all aspects of wildlife law enforcement.

Utah's conservation officers are committed to a professional, courteous and efficient matter of doing business. They are extremely appreciative of the citizens in Utah who increasingly come forward to support our efforts and assist in the never-ending challenge of protecting Utah's most valuable resource.

We encourage everyone — sportsmen and nonconsumptive users — to get to know your local conservation officer. You just might find a new fishing hole or sage grouse viewing site.

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Stacey Jones is president of the Utah Conservation Officers Association.