California Fish and Game Warden Expose' Update

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Update Update

California’s Game Wardens delivered an explosive Exposé toGovernor Schwarzenegger and others in March 2006. Learn whathappened to the Wardens and California’s wildlife.

2007 California Fish & Game Warden2007 California Fish & Game Warden

e x p o s É e x p o s É

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To All Californians . . .

California State Game Wardens protect and preserve California’s naturalresources through effective and professional law enforcement. Wardens regularlyencounter dangerous, armed criminals who have no regard for human safety, andpoachers who are nothing more than wildlife thieves. Poachers’ actions adverselyaffect California’s fish and wildlife populations, and threaten the future ofoutdoor opportunities.In addition to protecting the public safety, supporting homeland security, andenforcing the laws regarding our fish and wildlife, Wardens stand as guardians ofCalifornia waters, protecting them from polluters who would indiscriminatelycontaminate our waterways, affecting everyone’s well-being.But Wardens face a threat from another direction. Efforts to trim the state’sbudget have hit Game Wardens directly through staff cuts, salary shortfalls andequipment reductions, effecting the safety of all Californians – including themost defenseless – our fish and wildlife. All inhabitants, those with fins, feathersor fur as well as humans, fall victim to these cuts – wildlife and water belong tous all. Today, California has fewer Wardens than 30 years ago while ourpopulation has nearly quadrupled. Fewer than 200 field Wardens patrol theentire State of California. We patrol 159,000 square miles of land, more than29,000 miles of streams and rivers, and 220,000 square miles of ocean from theshore to 200 miles out, serving more than 36 million people with a staffing levelequal to the 1950s. Reduced law enforcement results in irreparable harm to fish and wildlife populations, theenvironment, local economies, and people’s confidence in the ability of the state to protect the publictrust.Game Wardens and the natural resources they are sworn to protect need your help.The Department of Fish and Game no longer has the ability to recruit and retain qualified Game Wardens.The dangers of the job, the long hours without overtime compensation coupled with some of the lowestsalaries as compared to other law enforcement agencies around the state makes the noble career of a GameWarden unattractive. Recruitment and retention of officers is at a historic low, applications have droppedsignificantly despite how the state’s population has increased. The crisis now leaves the Department withmany Warden vacancies, and our state without the officers needed to protect its natural resources.There is no exaggeration in this. The situation must be remedied, but to date, no significant action has yetstopped or reversed this tragic trend. The solution to properly manage and appropriately protect ourresources and the human population now and for the future is to hire more Game Wardens. Many people ask“Why? Why has this happened and why does it continue?”The state must pay competitive wages – like pay for like work. All law enforcement work is dangerous, butas a Game Warden, the remote area patrols without backup places us at the top for risk.Five years ago, the California Legislature supported a request for salary and benefit parity with other lawenforcement agencies because of significant recruitment problems. Yet, over that 5-year period, theDepartment literally lost one-third of its entire Warden force. In 2006, Wardens testified before theLegislature, explaining our situation and they listened. The Legislature acted by including money in thebudget to specifically address the dire situation and fix the Warden recruitment and retention crisis. TheLegislature instructed the situation be fixed, but through the state bargaining process and otherbureaucratic issues, the contract offer failed to meet the Legislature’s intent. Many of the issues were notaddressed, and the Department lost more Wardens. Where do the Wardens go? Some retire, but others arewooed away by better offers from other law enforcement agencies where the pay is higher, the hoursshorter, and staffing stronger. Meanwhile, the poaching escalates.

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The California Fish and Game Warden’s Association assembled the “Game Warden Exposé” in 2006 to educategovernment leaders and Californians about this serious problem. Created with the utmost care to present factsand truth, the Exposé has been embraced enthusiastically. This 2007 edition includes updated materials andinformation. The Wardens would ask that you take time to consider all of the information we have assembled inour best effort to provide the facts about our situation.The Game Wardens want to thank all who support us and offer help. As individuals come to understand ourplight, we find support growing. The people of California truly feel it is important to have their fish, wildlife,landscapes, and drinking water protected. We ask you for help, guidance, and leadership to remedy a wrongthat for too long has been ignored, bypassed, or dismissed. This situation threatens our citizens, our familiesand our future. It is in everyone’s power to stand up and lead the change. We encourage you to follow your heartto endorse all that is necessary to protect what is yours.Sincerely,Jerry Karnow, Jr.Legislative LiaisonCFGWA

*FACTS:

40%

of those wardens from the last police academy in 2006 quit and have been lost to other jobs.

60%

fewer people even applied to be wardens in 2006 compared to last year. About

50%

fewer candidates were even placed on a hire listthan last year. The state is expected to lose

40%

of its Wardens over the next 3 years to retirement.Of calls from the public to our 24-hour dispatch centers and CalTIP,

only 1 out of 3 calls

even get answered. Many

toxic pollution

cases do not get investigated. Many new

unfunded mandates

continue to be placed upon California for Wardens to enforce, placing more restrictions upon outdoor pursuit opportunities. California has less than

1/3

the number of wardens as Florida (750) and less than that of Texas (500). Both states have fewer people and less wildlife diversity than California.Over1,100 miles of coast, 220,000 square miles of Ocean, and 159,000 square miles of California land mass are safeguarded by a mere 190 Wardens. From toxic spills into our waterways, drug interdiction, homeland security, search & rescue,natural resource management, vehicles stops, stakeouts, undercover investigations, Game Wardens are there.Because of the dangers and complex responsibilities of working this specialized law enforcement field coupled with the current pay scale, the Department of Fish and Game no longer has the ability to effectively recruit and retain qualified Wardens –

having a direct negative impact on public safety, our natural resources, fish and wildlife,and our water quality.

“This is for our children and our outdoor heritage; for a wholesome life and healthy environment.”