Career in Law Enforcement

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Minimum Requirements

Education: High school graduate.

Experience: None.

Education Substitution: None.

Experience Substitution: None.

Salary: (MIN-MID) $31,461.36-$46,607.04 Conservation Officer Recruit candidates who are Peace Officer Professional Standard certified upon hiring, and maintain POPS certification, will receive a monthly training stipend totaling $4300 annually.

Non-certified Recruit candidates will begin receiving the same monthly training stipend upon completion of the Peace Officer Professional Standards requirements and graduation from the Department of Criminal Justice Training Academy.

Grade: 12

Special Requirements: Must be at least 21 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license

Hiring Process

Submit an online employment application to State Personnel Cabinet’s website http://careers.ky.gov
When a position is POSTED, you must self nominate (apply) to the POSTED job of interest. (you can not apply until a position has been posted)
The balance of the hiring process is as follows:

POPS fitness test and KDFWR Law Enforcement swim test
Background Investigation
Interview Board
Polygraph Examination, Drug Screen
Psychological Assessment, Medical Examination
Applicants will be notified of those chosen to become a Conservation Officer Recruit by the KDFWR

POPS Physical Requirements:

Must be able to bench press 64% of his or her body weight
Must be able to complete 18 sit-ups in one minute
Must run for 300 meters in 65 seconds or less
Must complete 20 push-ups with no time limit
Must run a mile and a half in 17 minutes and 12 seconds or less
Must complete a 100 yard swim using the following techniques or any combination thereof: freestyle, breast stroke or side stroke followed by a 10 minute tread immediately followed by retrieving an object from 7 feet of water.

Conservation Officer Recruit Pre-Academy PT Program

Conservation Officer Recruit Pre-Academy Swimming Program

DOCJT (Department of Criminal Justice Training) (20 weeks)

Basic police officer training in fire arms, defensive tactics, search and seizure, and arrest

Fish and Wildlife Academy (14 weeks):

Firearms
Drug Identification
Hazardous Devices
ASP (Expandable Baton)
ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) Patrol
4-wheel Operations
Waterfowl Training
Krav Maga Self Defense
Wildlife Forensics
Water Survival
Emergency Vessel Operations

Boat Accident Investigations
Fish Identification
Marine Theft
Commercial Fishing
Trapping
Reptile Identification
Media Relations
Land Navigation
KRS
Chapters 150 and 235

Upon completion of the academies the cadet will then spend 16 weeks of field training with a primary and a secondary Field Training Officer.

Examples of duties and responsibilities

Receives required training of general law enforcement, firearms, emergency driving, boating, and fish and wildlife enforcement and management practices including closely supervised field training
Patrols fields, forest lands, streams, lakes and rivers
Interprets and enforces state and federal wildlife and boating laws and regulations administered by the agency and other criminal laws of the Commonwealth
Observes activities and prevents violations of law
Issues citations to violators and assist senior officers in apprehending violators and making arrests
Investigates complaints of violations of wildlife and boating laws
Investigates and reconstructs boating accidents, conduct drowning investigations and perform rescue duties
Collects and preserves evidence
Assimilates, analyzes and records data which aid in the identification, apprehension and prosecution of offenders and the recovery of property
Prepares cases, presents evidence and serve as a witness at hearings and trials
Prepares material, conducts and participates in meetings for adult and youth organizations and civic clubs, schools, and other places for the purpose of educating people on fish and wildlife and boating laws in Kentucky
Assists in other agency programs including fish and wildlife censuses, surveys and studies
Investigates wildlife damage complaints, habitat maintenance and improvement, and assist with educational activities, as well as public relations and other informational activities
Prepares and maintains records and report on daily, weekly and monthly activity reports
Operates various types of law enforcement equipment that includes boats, motors, firearms, cameras, binoculars, two-way radios, vehicles and has responsibility for the basic maintenance and repair of such equipment

Typical working conditions and unique physical requirements:

Majority of time is spent outside. Conditions are consistent with other law enforcement officers. Must have the ability to run, swim, bend, stoop, lift, push and pull heavy objects and individuals. Must be able to be trained in the use of weapons and defensive tactics and in the use of other law enforcement related equipment.