Modernization Blueprint
Law Enforcement Modernization Blueprint
DOI Access Version - Public Version
Law Enforcement Blueprint Comments/Resolution
Law Presentation
Reports
View: Supporting Reports
Background
From the NPS Park Police 
controlling crowds at a demonstration to FWS officers protecting endangered species from illegal hunting, law enforcement is part of the mission of many bureaus.
|
Bureau
| Description of Law Enforcement Functions |
| Bureau of Land Management (BLM) | The BLM Law Enforcement Program is responsible for the detection, investigation, and enforcement of laws and regulations related to the use, occupancy, and development of the Public Lands. This includes resource protection and public safety. There are two types of BLM law enforcement officers, Rangers and Special Agents. Rangers are uniformed employees with responsibility to patrol public lands to deter, detect, investigate, and enforce resource protection laws and regulations. They also assist with search and rescue activities and coordinate with local, state, and federal land management and law enforcement agencies. The Special Agents are responsible for the investigation of all types of resource related crimes including cultural and natural resources, and mineral materials. There are approximately 250 total law enforcement officers in the BLM. |
| Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) | Bureau of Reclamation Law Enforcement activities are restricted to safe guarding the dams, powerplants, and canals under its control. BOR has constructed more than 600 dams and reservoirs including Hoover Dam on the Colorado River and Grand Coulee on the Columbia River. BOR is also the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United States with 58 powerplants which must be safe guarded against potential threats. |
| Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) | The BIA’s Law Enforcement mission is to uphold the constitutional sovereignty and customs of Tribes, while protecting the rights of all people; to protect life and property; ensure employment suitability and to promote and preserve peace within Indian country. The BIA’s Law Enforcement responsibilities extend to over 170 reservations in 31 states. The BIA operates jails, performs patrolling activities on tribal lands, and performs investigations on tribal lands. The BIA Branch of Criminal Investigations has investigative responsibilities for crimes committed on, or involving, Indian country. This includes major federal crimes and state crimes assimilated into the Federal statues under Title 18 U.S.C. 1153. Indian Country jails incarcerate over 2000 individuals. The BIA processes as much as 12,000 individuals through their law enforcement system in a single month[1]. |
| National Park Service (NPS) | The NPS’s has Law Enforcement responsibilities for the 370 NPS sites across the United States and in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. There are approximately 1,500 full-time and 500 seasonal NPS Law Enforcement personnel. NPS law enforcement rangers patrol NPS lands; safe guard historic assets; respond to citizen reports of resource violations; issue citations, serves arrest warrants; participate in search and rescue; and sometimes coordinate activities with other local, state and federal land management and law enforcement agencies. The specific scope of NPS law enforcement varies from park to park. |
| Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) | FWS OLE efforts focus on threats to wildlife resource-illegal trade, unlawful commercial exploitation, habitat destruction, and environmental contaminants. The Law Enforcement Division of the FWS investigates wildlife crimes, regulates wildlife trade, and works in partnership with international, state, and tribal counterparts to conserve wildlife resources. Business functions include: Protecting wildlife from environmental hazards and safeguarding critical habitat for endangered species; protecting game species from illegal take and preserving legitimate hunting opportunities; inspecting wildlife shipments to ensure compliance with laws and treaties and detect illegal trade; working with international counterparts to combat illegal trafficking in protected species; and using forensic science to analyze evidence and solve wildlife crimes. The Division includes 252 special agents and 93 wildlife inspectors. |
| Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) | The FWS NWRS manages 545 refuges and 47 wetland management areas across the United States and in Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The refuge law enforcement program provides protection of trust species on and off Service lands as well as protection for natural and cultural resources, visitor protection, and protection of government property and employees. There are approximately 200 full-time and 200 dual function Law Enforcement personnel. NWRS law enforcement officers patrol Service lands; safe guard historic assets; respond to citizen reports of resource violations; issue citations, serves arrest warrants; participate in search and rescue; and sometimes coordinate activities with other local, state and federal land management and law enforcement agencies. The specific scope of law enforcement varies from refuge to refuge and may include easement violations. |