Refuge Law Enforcement

The National Wildlife Refuge System is responsible for protecting refuge resources and providing a safe environment for our employees and visitors.  The Refuge System's law enforcement program is a critical tool in protecting trust resources, habitat, public facilities, our dedicated employees, and the visiting public. 

At the core of the Service's charge to be stewards of more than 95 million acres of public land is the responsibility to maintain the habitat and protect the public land investment that includes the National Wildlife Refuge System. Inherent in protecting the habitat is a strong law enforcement program. Through education and enforcement, it is the mission of the Refuge Law Enforcement program to protect our employees and visitors, safeguard the public's investment in facilities and equipment, and protect the integrity of the habitat in furtherance of the Service's conservation mission.

There are more than 375 refuge law enforcement officers deployed across the Nation. Refuge Law Enforcement Officers have Federal jurisdiction to enforce Federal conservation laws throughout the United States. The officers’ primary enforcement activities are conducted on Service lands. Each officer receives the highest quality law enforcement training during a 17-week Land Management Police Training Academy held at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA .

Officers perform a wide variety of law enforcement duties and responsibilities. They conduct patrols, surveillance, short-term investigations, apprehensions, detentions, seizures, and arrests and interact with the judicial system. Officers also deal with a wide variety of crimes, including but not limited to: natural resource violations, traffic violations, crimes against persons, crimes against property, homeland security issues, and alien and drug smuggling. Through memoranda of understanding, the program provides law enforcement assistance to other Federal and local law enforcement agencies. Officers participate in joint routine law enforcement patrol work, investigations, and intelligence.

In addition, the Division of Refuge Law Enforcement is assigned the responsibility for Service-wide physical security and emergency management. This responsibility includes overall management of programs and developing policy and guidance for the Service in physical security, emergency management, continuity of operations, and national security.

Office of Refuge Law Enforcement Contacts: