SOUTH CHARELSTON, W.Va. — Anyone interested in a career of varied law enforcement work is encouraged to consider employment with the West Virginia Natural Resources Police. The agency is in need of about 17 officers and hoped to recruit the next cadet class to fit into those positions of the future this month.
“There are field positions and there are going to be some promotions, so as people move up in rank we need to back fill those positions,” said Captain Ed. Goodson, Education and Training Coordinator for the West Virginia Natural Resources Police.
Unlike past years, the DNR is travelling around the state to help find interested applicants and make the process a little more convenient. Step one in the process is the physical agility test. Two of those have already been held and two more are scheduled. The next will be at the Mylan Park Aquatics Center in Morgantown on Saturday, February 5th at 10:30 a.m. and the Romney Wellness Center in Romney on Saturday February 12th. Anyone interested can show up with no appointment, but bring a change of clothes and wear something you don’t mind getting wet.
The minimum physical requirements are 18 pushups in a minute, 28 sit-ups in a minute, run 1.5 miles in a minimum of 14 minutes 36 seconds, and swim 37.5 yards fully clothed. Prospective candidates are graded on how well they perform those physical tests. Those successful in the Physical Agility phase go on to a written test and the next evolution is a sit down interview with veteran officers and a background check.
“That’s where we lose a lot of folks. Those youthful indiscretions can come back to bite you,” said Goodson.
Trying to widen the field of potential candidates, the NRPO section has made changes to the qualifications.
“I don’t say we’ve reduced, but we’ve adjusted. our qualifications.” Goodson explained.
The qualifications have always been a four-year degree or four-years prior law enforcement experience. But now, the agency will accept a two year associates degree with two years of active military service or two years of active law enforcement. A candidate with four-yeas of active duty military service is also qualified.
“We want to capture as many people as we can,” he added.
Once selected, candidates will be required to go through the basic law enforcement training class at the West Virginia State Police Academy. After graduation, they’ll have a six month field training with a veteran officer.
“That’s where we teach you how to be a game warden,” Goodson said. “We want self starters and folks who take direction, but don’t always need it because you’re going to be out there on your own handling complaints and following up. It’s up to you. You’re going to be on your own doing what you need to do.”
It’s non-traditional law enforcement. Although the officers have full police powers, the focus is on hunting and fishing regulations, boating regulations enforcement, and environmental enforcement.
“The outdoors is your office,'” Goodson said.