Louisiana -(Ammoland.com)- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ (LDWF) Law Enforcement Division will begin training up to 24 cadets in December of 2015 to bolster the ranks of agents in the field.
The cadets will train at the department’s training facility housed within the Waddill Outdoor Education Center in Baton Rouge. Successful completion of six months of intensive physical and academic training is required to graduate.
The opening dates that applications will be accepted for the “Wildlife Enforcement Cadet” position will be from Aug. 24 to Sept. 9.
“An LDWF enforcement agent has a tremendous responsibility, protecting Louisiana’s rich natural resources, and those who enjoy those resources, whether in the field or on the water,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham. “And those responsibilities extend to response efforts during natural disasters when citizens need assistance in impacted areas.”
At the academy, cadets train to enforce the state’s recreational boating laws, the state and federal wildlife and fisheries laws, and general law enforcement work on the state’s many wildlife management areas. The academy also covers general law enforcement training required for all state law enforcement officers.
Agents are additionally trained for search and rescue and serve as the lead responders in search and rescue coordination under the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
“We are looking for men and women who have a love for the outdoors, want to enforce conservation laws and can make it through a demanding six months of training,” said LDWF Col. Joey Broussard, head of the Law Enforcement Division.
This class of graduating agents will fill field office vacancies around the state. Each cadet is assigned to a parish and must reside in that parish upon completion of the academy.
Interested applicants can apply online through the Department of Civil Service website and must complete the LEAPS test to qualify for consideration. Please visit the civil service website at http://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/ for “Wildlife Enforcement Cadet” position and LEAPS testing application information.
For more information including a video about becoming an LDWF agent, please visit www.wlf.louisiana.gov/enforcement/becoming-agent.
LDWF is charged with managing, conserving, and promoting wise utilization of Louisiana’s renewable fish and wildlife resources and their supporting habitats through replenishment, protection, enhancement, research, development, and education for the social and economic benefit of current and future generations; to provide opportunities for knowledge of and use and enjoyment of these resources; and to promote a safe and healthy environment for the users of the resources.
For more information, contact Adam Einck at 225-765-2465 or aeinck@wlf.la.gov.