Have you ever wondered what it took to become a Conservation Police Officer?

Department of Natural Resources CPO's have to go through incredibly rigorous training. Current DNR Conservation Officer Ray Wichus explains every aspect of the test is a pass/fail and the failure any one of the single tests eliminates the person from consideration to be a CPO.

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The physical tests include a swim test, an interview and a doctor's physical. Wichus says the tests eliminate more and more people each test that is given.

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The tests all serve a purpose in one way or another. There are a lot of aspects to being a CPO that some people may not realize. Such as working floods and various natural disasters like that. Wichus says if you can pass all the tests, chances are, you would make a good CPO.

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DNR Conservation police officers in the Central Illinois region have been working short staffed for quite some time now. Wichus says it will be nice to get some help. New CPO officers are expected by the end of the year. The trainees will have to go through 12 weeks of the Police Training Institute, then 12 more additional weeks of training in the Illinois DNR conservation police academy. Trainees then have 6 months of field training before becoming a CPO. CPO's can enforce any laws your local police officers and county Sheriff's deputies enforce. They also can enforce several federal laws as well. Wichus notes city police and county sheriff's deputies can also enforce DNR Conservation laws.