Official Site of The State of New Jersey
The Bureau of Law Enforcement’s primary responsibility is enforcing laws and regulations that protect wildlife and its habitat. Highly trained Conservation Police Officers patrol the state and its waters using the latest in law enforcement technology as well as traditional methods.
New Jersey’s Wildlife Law Enforcement – A History
Officers Lost In the Line of Duty
New Jersey has benefitted from fish and wildlife law enforcement since 1871; the origins of today’s Bureau of Law Enforcement was in 1892 when the commission form of wildlife administration was initiated. Three commissioners were appointed, and the first salaried Fish and Game Protector was hired. Fish and Wildlife now employs 55-60 Conservation Police Officers (CPOs) statewide as New Jersey’s professional law enforcement agency dedicated to the wise use of the state’s natural resources.
Conservation Police Officers are uniquely qualified to enforce wildlife laws and regulations, educating and informing the public in the process regarding the rules, laws, procedures and management practices involving the recreational and commercial uses of fish and wildlife resources to ensure the protection of the environment. As sworn law enforcement officers, CPOs have authority to enforce all of the laws of the state and the federal government enacted for the protection and management of natural resources and other related environmental enforcement activities (see below). Their primary responsibilities are enforcing laws that protect New Jersey’s wildlife and its habitat.
Uniformed CPOs are DEP Fish and Wildlife’s most visible representatives and contact thousands of resources users annually. Officers serve the citizens of NJ by informing, educating, and redirecting the actions of wildlife users ensuring compliance with state, federal natural resource laws as well as the policies of DEP Fish and Wildlife. Conservation Police Officers spend countless hours in the field in order to safeguard the health and well being of the state’s precious natural resources.
Inland and Marine units serve to prevent abuses to the environment and help people maximize their enjoyment and benefits of wildlife in a safe and ethical manner. Conservation Police Officers’ proactive approach to enforcement helps maintain a healthy balance within the ecosystem. Officers actively patrol the natural areas of the most densely populated state by vehicle, boat, ATV and foot to help balance the lawful harvest of fish and game animals with public safety.
While there has been continued development and suburban sprawl in New Jersey, along with more comprehensive laws and regulations enacted addressing the legal taking of fish and wildlife, the CPO’s responsibilities have remained constant for more than 100 years. Conservation Police Officers, in addition to being members of the oldest law enforcement agency in the New Jersey, are regarded as some of the best trained, most knowledgeable and highly dedicated law enforcement officers in the state.
Each month, CPOs average about 7,000 hours of duty time, conduct 3,500 inspections and initiate 315 enforcement actions. This equates to approximately 84,000 hourrs, 42,000 inspections and 3,780 enforcement actions per year.
For information on becoming a CPO in NJ, see the Employment Page; see the NJ Civil Service Commission website for the Conservation Police Officer Recruit Job Specification.
New Jersey Fish and wildlife regulations are based on Permanent Statute Titles 23, 39, 50, 58, 2C-Code of Criminal Justice, and the Administrative Code N.J.A.C. 7:25 et. seq.
Revising Hunting and Fishing Regulations
Fish and Wildlife Violations Information
License Restoration Petition Form (pdf, 145kb)
The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact
ORVs Impounded For Illegal Use In WMA
CPO Wes Kille Receives “Wildlife Officer of the Year” Award
CPO Tracy Stites Receives Lifesaving Award from North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association
CPO Jordan Holmes Receives “Wildlife Officer of the Year” Award from Shikar-Safari Club International Division Conservation Officer Receives Award – 3/17/16
Division CO Assists In Rescue of Dolphin Trapped in NJ Creek – NBC10 Philadelphia, 8/8/16
Division Conservation Officer Receives Command Citation– 4/29/14
CO Kille Receives 2012 National Wild Turkey Federation Award– 4/29/14
Conservation Officers Arrest Two for Destroying Agricultural Property on State WMA – DEP News Release, 11/25/13
Marine Fisheries Administrator, Enforcement Staff, Receive Awards – 5/24/13
Conservation Officers Recognized for Outstanding Service – 4/24/13
Conservation Officers Net Three in Illegal Eel Harvesting Operation in Atlantic County – DEP News Release, 3/18/13
NJ Conservation Officers Net Eight Anglers for Illegally Taking and Selling River Herring – 5/7/09
Conservation Officers Receive Ice Rescue Training – 2/11/09
Major Discipline Reporting Form – 2020 – 6/15/20 – 12/31/20 (xlsx, 21kb)
Major Discipline Reporting Form – 2021 – 01/01/21 – 12/31/21 (pdf, 138kb)
Annual Internal Affairs Summary (pdf, 155kb)
