Bill Would Increase DNR Law Enforcement by $500,000 per year

[netcoyote]

Maybe its just me, but something just doesn't smell right about this.

[SCRUBS]

Just to show how much of an impact this would have. In the 2011 fiscal year DNR's LE budget was $754,000. In 2012 it is $833,000.

If DNR was to use this money solely for DNR LEOs they would probably hire 4-5 new officers. No DNR Officers do not make 100K a year. You need to figure in the fact DNR would need to purchase 4-5 brand new patrol vehicles, outfit them with all equipment, buy gear for the actual officer, etc. DNR LEOs are actually the lowest paid state LEOs (they make right about the same as Park Rangers).

DNR sometimes provides funding to county sheriffs to patrol DNR lands so they could also use some of this funding for that as well.

Key words in that paragraph. Real meaning, one new officer (if we are lucky), two new managers to supervise the new officer, the rest will go to new office furniture for the two new managers. Then claim they still have to lock the land up because of lack of officers.

[bigtex]

Just to show how much of an impact this would have. In the 2011 fiscal year DNR's LE budget was $754,000. In 2012 it is $833,000.

If DNR was to use this money solely for DNR LEOs they would probably hire 4-5 new officers. No DNR Officers do not make 100K a year. You need to figure in the fact DNR would need to purchase 4-5 brand new patrol vehicles, outfit them with all equipment, buy gear for the actual officer, etc. DNR LEOs are actually the lowest paid state LEOs (they make right about the same as Park Rangers).

DNR sometimes provides funding to county sheriffs to patrol DNR lands so they could also use some of this funding for that as well.

Key words in that paragraph. Real meaning, one new officer (if we are lucky), two new managers to supervise the new officer, the rest will go to new office furniture for the two new managers. Then claim they still have to lock the land up because of lack of officers.

You are reading my explanation, not the bill!
The bill says the $ MUST be spent on OFFICERS.
I was explaining how many officers DNR could gain.
DNR Law Enforcement only has one manager, the LE Chief.

[SCRUBS]

Just to show how much of an impact this would have. In the 2011 fiscal year DNR's LE budget was $754,000. In 2012 it is $833,000.

If DNR was to use this money solely for DNR LEOs they would probably hire 4-5 new officers. No DNR Officers do not make 100K a year. You need to figure in the fact DNR would need to purchase 4-5 brand new patrol vehicles, outfit them with all equipment, buy gear for the actual officer, etc. DNR LEOs are actually the lowest paid state LEOs (they make right about the same as Park Rangers).

DNR sometimes provides funding to county sheriffs to patrol DNR lands so they could also use some of this funding for that as well.

Key words in that paragraph. Real meaning, one new officer (if we are lucky), two new managers to supervise the new officer, the rest will go to new office furniture for the two new managers. Then claim they still have to lock the land up because of lack of officers.

You are reading my explanation, not the bill!
The bill says the $ MUST be spent on OFFICERS.
I was explaining how many officers DNR could gain.
DNR Law Enforcement only has one manager, the LE Chief.

 You are right, they "could" add officers to prevent the lock up of land. It does not say they "will" add officers to prevent the lock up of the land. Like you said above, officers they "could" gain,not "will" gain. That`s if they don`t mismanage the money, then still lock it up, which is more likely to happen.

[bigtex]

Just to show how much of an impact this would have. In the 2011 fiscal year DNR's LE budget was $754,000. In 2012 it is $833,000.

If DNR was to use this money solely for DNR LEOs they would probably hire 4-5 new officers. No DNR Officers do not make 100K a year. You need to figure in the fact DNR would need to purchase 4-5 brand new patrol vehicles, outfit them with all equipment, buy gear for the actual officer, etc. DNR LEOs are actually the lowest paid state LEOs (they make right about the same as Park Rangers).

DNR sometimes provides funding to county sheriffs to patrol DNR lands so they could also use some of this funding for that as well.

Key words in that paragraph. Real meaning, one new officer (if we are lucky), two new managers to supervise the new officer, the rest will go to new office furniture for the two new managers. Then claim they still have to lock the land up because of lack of officers.

You are reading my explanation, not the bill!
The bill says the $ MUST be spent on OFFICERS.
I was explaining how many officers DNR could gain.
DNR Law Enforcement only has one manager, the LE Chief.

 You are right, they "could" add officers to prevent the lock up of land. It does not say they "will" add officers to prevent the lock up of the land. Like you said above, officers they "could" gain,not "will" gain. That`s if they don`t mismanage the money, then still lock it up, which is more likely to happen.

DNR can use the money to increase LE in two ways:
-Hire more DNR LEOs
-Give sheriff's money to patrol DNR lands which they very rarely do right now. BLM, Forest Service, and State Parks already do this all the time.

By saying "could" I was meaning they "could" hire officers, or they "could" give it to sheriff's. The bill does not say DNR Officers are the ones that need to be the ones patrolling. You are taking my words out of context.

[bigtex]

The bill has a hearing before the Senate Ways & Means (budget/fiscal) Committee tomorrow.

[bigtex]

Hate bringing up a "dead" topic. However, I should bring up that while this bill did not pass. The 2013-15 budget did include an additional $500,000 for DNR Law Enforcement. This was simply a cash "gift" and not a personnel increase. Looks more like DNR will be using it to bring on more contracted law enforcement rather than DNR Officers.

[Button Nubbs]

Hate bringing up a "dead" topic. However, I should bring up that while this bill did not pass. The 2013-15 budget did include an additional $500,000 for DNR Law Enforcement. This was simply a cash "gift" and not a personnel increase. Looks more like DNR will be using it to bring on more contracted law enforcement rather than DNR Officers.

I know of an area that could use a full time officer. Getting hammered by poachers. Glad to see you guys got some extra ribcage.

[Special T]

BigTex i actually like how you follow up on posts you make. I think it helps us see what the depts are doing and their history / follow though.

[Jack Diamond]

Must be just me, but every time I hear someone say that we in this state need more Leo's , I cringe.  The cops we have are doing a hell of a good job, its the damn judges and prosecutor's that need to be increased in number , or replaced.I would rather increase funding and enlargement of our current correctional facility's or more private contracted prisons ,for felonious criminals. and a redo of the ignorant state sentencing guidelines , involving repeat offenders.

[bobcat]

I definitely see the need for more law enforcement on state land. I was out hunting Sunday on some nearby state land, and saw piles of garbage dumped everywhere. One pile was right in the middle of the road! 

So we had to park there and walk up the road.  Come on people, it's not that expensive to take it to the dump!   

[Bean Counter]

Would this create DNR cops or just give OT for currently patrolling depts to step it up?

[blackdog]

DNR is currently negotiating tribal agreements for vehicle access behind locked gates.

[bobcat]

DNR is currently negotiating tribal agreements for vehicle access behind locked gates.

Why am I not surprised?          

[bigtex]

Would this create DNR cops or just give OT for currently patrolling depts to step it up?

DNR already has about 10 law enforcement officers which can enforce all state laws on DNR lands. Some officers, or all DNR officers can also enforce laws countywide in 25 counties which have commissioned them as county deputies.

What this did was essentially give DNR $500,000, not actually more positions. So there will still be 10 DNR Officers (unless they receive positions from another source), but it will allow for DNR Officers to work more OT, DNR contracts with several other LE agencies in the state so it will give those agencies more money, and DNR could even create new contracts in areas where they don't have them