Natural Resources
In January 2009, Governor Christine Gregoire proposed the idea of moving Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Officers employed by the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) and Law Enforcement Officers currently employed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to the State Patrol as a budget saving measure. This idea was fiercely opposed by outdoorsmen, WDFW, DNR and the state sheriff's association and never gained any ground by state legislators.
In September 2009, Governor Gregoire again proposed the merging of the WDFW and DNR law enforcement officers and either putting them under control of the State Patrol or making a separate Natural Resources Police Department. This was once again proposed as a budget saving measure as part of the governor's Natural Resource Reform program. This proposal was once again fiercely opposed by outdoorsmen, WDFW, DNR and the state sheriff's association and never gained any support.
State legislators have continued in later legislative sessions to pursue moving WDFW and DNR law enforcement personnel to the WSP, however this move continues to get fiercely opposed by outdoorsmen, WDFW, DNR and the state sheriff's association
Oregon and Alaska are the only states who have their natural resource enforcement officers part of the state patrol.
Read more about this topic: Washington State Patrol
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