Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 391 - RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES › Chapter 391-1 - ADMINISTRATION › Subject 391-1-1 - ORGANIZATION AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION › Rule 391-1-1-.03 - Powers, Duties, Titles, Qualifications, Appointments and Other Matters Pertaining to the Department's Unit of Peace Officers

Current
				through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1)By O.C.G.A.
				27-1-16 there is established
				within the Department of Natural Resources a unit of peace officers known as
				conservation rangers. The Commissioner of Natural Resources appoints such
				number of conservation rangers of the state at large as are necessary to carry
				out the law enforcement responsibilities pertaining to the Department.
(2)A conservation ranger of the
				state at large appointed by the Commissioner of Natural Resources is an
				employee of the Department and holds either the title of Conservation Ranger or
				of Class I Deputy Conservation Ranger, depending upon whether law enforcement
				duties are primary function of athe conservation ranger's employment
				(Conservation Ranger) or if additional duties, such as that of a park manager,
				wildlife technician or biologist are the primary functions of the conservation
				ranger's employment (Class I Deputy Conservation Ranger). However, regardless
				of their title, Conservation Rangers and Class I Deputy Conservation Rangers
				are conservation rangers of the state at large.
(3) By O.C.G.A. §
									27-1-17 the Board of Natural
				Resources is also authorized to appoint deputy conservation rangers, however,
				that authority is delegated by the Board by this rule to the Commissioner of
				Natural Resources except to the extent set forth in this rule. Deputy
				conservation rangers appointed by the Commissioner as Class I Deputy
				Conservation Rangers pursuant to O.C.G.A. §
									27-1-16 and this delegation are
				assigned all of the qualifications, powers and duties of conservation rangers
				of the state at large, shall take the same oath, and shall adhere to all of the
				laws, rules, policies and guidelines which govern the Department's law
				enforcement unit. The badge of a Class I Deputy Conservation Ranger shall be
				inscribed with the State Seal, the name of the Department, and such other
				information as may be appropriate.
(4) The Board of Natural Resources reserves
				the exclusive power to appoint deputy conservation rangers who are not
				currently employees of the Department. They will normally either be retired
				Department employees who were formally conservation rangers or persons, such as
				marshals of county magistrate courts, who assist the Department's law
				enforcement unit by enforcing certain aspects of the environmental and wildlife
				laws such as waste control and hunter safety. Deputy conservation rangers
				appointed by the Board of Natural Resources must have actual duties relating to
				the protection of natural resources and post the bond required by O.C.G.A.
				§
									27-1-17(c).
(5) A deputy conservation ranger appointed by
				the Board of Natural Resources holds the title of Class II Deputy Conservation
				Ranger and by this rule is assigned by the Board of Natural Resources all of
				the powers and duties of a conservation ranger. Class II Deputy Conservation
				Rangers must be certified peace officers pursuant to the requirements of the
				Peace Officers Standards and Training Council. They shall take the same oath as
				a conservation ranger and shall adhere to all of the laws, rules, policies and
				guidelines which govern the Department's law enforcement unit. The badge of a
				Class II Deputy Conservation Ranger shall be inscribed with the State Seal, the
				name of the Department, and such other information as may be
				appropriate.
(6) Class I and Class
				II Deputy Conservation Rangers are authorized by the Board of Natural Resources
				to arrest persons accused of violating any law or regulation which such
				officers are empowered to enforce by the issuance of a citation pursuant to
				O.C.G.A. §
									27-1-19.
(7) The appointments of all deputy
				conservation rangers holding that status on the effective date of this rule,
				regardless of whether their title is Class I Deputy Conservation Ranger or
				Class II Deputy Conservation Ranger and regardless of whether they were
				appointed initially by the Board of Natural Resources or by the Commissioner of
				Natural Resources are hereby ratified.
O.C.G.A. Secs.
				  12-2-24,
				  27-1-4,
				  27-1-17,
				  50-13-3.