"Game Wardens" in Virginia Are No More

Instead, they're called "conservation police officers," or CPOs, as I learned while reviewing a copy of "The Outdoor Report" yesterday. It's been that way, too, since July 1, 2007, when the Virginia General Assembly approved this name change.

The history of game wardens, as we used to know them, dates back to 1903, when the Virginia General Assembly established a statewide system of them to enforce wildlife laws. In fact, they predated the creation of Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), which wasn't established until 1916.

The name change was a result of more and more game-warden work often intersecting with mainstream law enforcement. In the course of performing duties related to the agency mission (e.g., enforcing wildlife, fisheries and boating laws), game wardens were dealing with situations requiring immediate police intervention. These situations included driving under the influence, reckless driving, drug and gang activities, homeland-security issues, and frequent assistance to other law-enforcement agencies.

As noted by the then-chief of the Law Enforcement Division, Col. Mike Bise, "We are on the waters, in the woods, and on the roadways every day, encountering all the same public-safety issues as other police officers. In these situations, the public expects the person with a gun and a badge to act. Frequently, however, VDGIF officers find themselves dealing with people who do not understand their law-enforcement authority."

Bise went on to say, "To the people we routinely interact with, we will be game wardens for the next 25 years, and we think that's great. This name change is so folks who don't know who we are will better understand our law-enforcement role. It does not mean we are changing our mission focus."

The name change from "game warden" to "conservation police officer" only involved changes to badges, uniform patches, and patrol-vehicle door decals.

Perhaps if I had had a personal encounter with one of today's CPOs, I would have noticed the name change. As it is, though, the change came as news to me.

Many years ago, when I was friends with a local agent, she often would come alongside if she saw me on the water and chat a while, but as of this writing, it has been years since I talked to an agent. I occasionally see one around West Neck during the summer months, but that's the extent of it.

I understand there are two regional offices that serve the local area today. One is the headquarters office in Richmond, phone 804-367-1000, and the other is the Charles City office, phone 804-829-6580. Violations are best reported using the VDGIF Wildlife Crime Line at 1-800-237-5712, or email WildCrime@dgif.virginia.gov. In cases of an emergency situation, you're urged to contact the local conservation police officer immediately through the local sheriff's office or police department.

It's entirely possible I'm the only one who wasn't aware of the name change discussed here. If so, I apologize to all for boring you with these details.

(Photos and content provided courtesy of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.)