Proposed Legislation: Increase Authority of DNR Law Enforcement

[bobcat]

Big Tex,

a good idea to have more authority with DNR, but would this require extra funding, and if so I know we are not getting enough from the discovery pass, so where would the cash come from?

     That would also be my concern.

[ICEMAN]

We already have enough Barney fife's out there that because the y have a badge period they think they can enforce the laws anywhere I think if they are employed but eh Parks that is their sole jurisdiction same goes for city wanna be cops their jurisdiction should be limited to the city/ town limits where they are employed . To the best of My knowledge we don't live in a police state and don't need every badge toting cop wanna be cop trying to enforce the laws.
Average response time for a 911 call 11 minutes average speed of a 357 Mag 1400 ft per second PIck up the body when the coroner is finished

Give me a break. 

[bigtex]

It serves one purpose and only one purpose, and that is to enable them to write more citations.......create/generate revenue for the poor mismanaged state.  They cant afford to increase man power so they are attemptimg to maximize the man power they have.  I personally prefer game wardens to focus on fish and wildlife.....not be out there looking for any and every type violation they can.  They imparticularly need to focus on their primary job description.  Same goes for DNR and any other agency.......the stinkin state just wants something for nothing from everyone.  Why not enlist a bunch of folks to serve as eyes in the woods but let them run around town and anywhere else they want and squeal like pigs about everything.  All that costs them is an occassional special permit or some points......

So if your out on your local DNR Forest and run into an underage kegger how would you feel if you heard the DNR Officer standing right next to you has no authority to cite those violators? Because right now under state law DNR cannot enforce RCW 66 (liquor laws) and many other laws which are commonly violated in state forests.

[ICEMAN]

This is exactly what I was going to ask, to post up a few scenarios which they would have to walk away on.

I could see supporting this legislation if there are minimal costs associated with it.

[seth30]

Big Tex, can they enforce other crimes, such as people cooking meth, and pot growing ops, or do we still need to call normal LEO?

[Knocker of rocks]

We already have enough Barney fife's out there that because the y have a badge period they think they can enforce the laws anywhere I think if they are employed but eh Parks that is their sole jurisdiction same goes for city wanna be cops their jurisdiction should be limited to the city/ town limits where they are employed . To the best of My knowledge we don't live in a police state and don't need every badge toting cop wanna be cop trying to enforce the laws.
Average response time for a 911 call 11 minutes average speed of a 357 Mag 1400 ft per second PIck up the body when the coroner is finished

I don't think any DNR, Wa State Parks or WDFW LEO should ever be refered to as a Barney Fife.  You clearly have a huge chip on your shoulder and a jaundiced view of law enforcement.  Maybe they caught you with a load of moonshine in your Model T?

[JimmyHoffa]

Big Tex,

a good idea to have more authority with DNR, but would this require extra funding, and if so I know we are not getting enough from the discovery pass, so where would the cash come from?

     That would also be my concern.

They just let a bunch of rangers go from state parks, citing the law enforcement trained ones cost more than interpretive rangers.  But, I would like to see them get more jurisdiction in the woods to get more poachers/druggies out of the woods.

[bigtex]

This is exactly what I was going to ask, to post up a few scenarios which they would have to walk away on.

It's alot easier to see what they can actually enforce currently under state law:

RCW 77 (Fish and Wildlife)
RCW 46 (Traffic, including ORV/ATV and Snowmobile)
RCW 76 which are DNR land rules, forest product regs and and timber cutting regs.

That is it gentlemen. So the only time DNR can enforce other laws is if they get authority from the sheriff. If the sheriff says no then they can only enforce the laws I listed above.

[bigtex]

Big Tex, can they enforce other crimes, such as people cooking meth, and pot growing ops, or do we still need to call normal LEO?

I just posted what few laws DNR can enforce under their state authority. Drugs is not included in that. DNR would definitely respond and help remove those issues, but they couldn't make the arrest. So if DNR is driving down the road and Joe Blo is doin meth and this county doesn't have an agreement with DNR then the DNR Officer has no authority. Now if DNR and this county have an agreement then that is a different story.

[bobcat]

It serves one purpose and only one purpose, and that is to enable them to write more citations.......create/generate revenue for the poor mismanaged state.  They cant afford to increase man power so they are attemptimg to maximize the man power they have.  I personally prefer game wardens to focus on fish and wildlife.....not be out there looking for any and every type violation they can.  They imparticularly need to focus on their primary job description.  Same goes for DNR and any other agency.......the stinkin state just wants something for nothing from everyone.  Why not enlist a bunch of folks to serve as eyes in the woods but let them run around town and anywhere else they want and squeal like pigs about everything.  All that costs them is an occassional special permit or some points......

So if your out on your local DNR Forest and run into an underage kegger how would you feel if you heard the DNR Officer standing right next to you has no authority to cite those violators? Because right now under state law DNR cannot enforce RCW 66 (liquor laws) and many other laws which are commonly violated in state forests.

I bet they could write a lot of citations for no Discover Pass!

[buckfvr]

It serves one purpose and only one purpose, and that is to enable them to write more citations.......create/generate revenue for the poor mismanaged state.  They cant afford to increase man power so they are attemptimg to maximize the man power they have.  I personally prefer game wardens to focus on fish and wildlife.....not be out there looking for any and every type violation they can.  They imparticularly need to focus on their primary job description.  Same goes for DNR and any other agency.......the stinkin state just wants something for nothing from everyone.  Why not enlist a bunch of folks to serve as eyes in the woods but let them run around town and anywhere else they want and squeal like pigs about everything.  All that costs them is an occassional special permit or some points......

So if your out on your local DNR Forest and run into an underage kegger how would you feel if you heard the DNR Officer standing right next to you has no authority to cite those violators? Because right now under state law DNR cannot enforce RCW 66 (liquor laws) and many other laws which are commonly violated in state forests.

I would hope a professional DNR Officer would use his radio......  Kids havin a bit of fun.....lets hang them.....somebody call the cops.....ARE YOU SERIOUS ?

[bigtex]

Big Tex, can they enforce other crimes, such as people cooking meth, and pot growing ops, or do we still need to call normal LEO?

Matters not what agency the chicken *censored* cop is from if he sees someone cooking meth or a pot grow he can make the arrest Hell
JOhn Q Public can make the arrest if he has any balls called citizens arrest

Sir,
You may want to study up on your state law enforcement authority. Under this situation all DNR could do is hold the suspect for a general authority agency to respond. DNR could not arrest the violator.

[bigtex]

It serves one purpose and only one purpose, and that is to enable them to write more citations.......create/generate revenue for the poor mismanaged state.  They cant afford to increase man power so they are attemptimg to maximize the man power they have.  I personally prefer game wardens to focus on fish and wildlife.....not be out there looking for any and every type violation they can.  They imparticularly need to focus on their primary job description.  Same goes for DNR and any other agency.......the stinkin state just wants something for nothing from everyone.  Why not enlist a bunch of folks to serve as eyes in the woods but let them run around town and anywhere else they want and squeal like pigs about everything.  All that costs them is an occassional special permit or some points......

So if your out on your local DNR Forest and run into an underage kegger how would you feel if you heard the DNR Officer standing right next to you has no authority to cite those violators? Because right now under state law DNR cannot enforce RCW 66 (liquor laws) and many other laws which are commonly violated in state forests.

I would hope a professional DNR Officer would use his radio......

And hope somebody responds? So now you are tying up multiple officers from multiple agencies instead of just letting one officer handle it himself.

[ICEMAN]

Jingles, we show a bit more respect for law enforcement around here, maybe you could try?

[JimmyHoffa]

The way I understand it, a citizen's arrest in WA is more likely to get the arrestor in more trouble than the criminal--both in criminal and civil court.  I wish it weren't so as I'd be all up for a tweeker round up.