Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-1-1-.03 - Powers, Duties, Titles, Qualifications, Appointments and Other Matters Pertaining to the Department's Unit of Peace Officers

(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.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 391-1-1-.03

O.C.G.A. Secs. 12-2-24, 27-1-4, 27-1-17, 50-13-3.

Original Rule entitled "Solid Waste Plans" adopted. F. Nov. 21, 1972; eff. Dec. 12, 1972, as specified by R. 391-1-1-.07. Repealed: F. Sept. 6, 1973; eff. Sept. 26, 1973. Amended: New Rule entitled "Method of Obtaining Information From, Making Submissions to or Requests of the Department" adopted. F. July 29, 1982; eff. August 18, 1982. Amended: F. Jan. 30, 1990; eff. Feb. 19, 1990. Amended: F. Aug. 27, 1993; eff. Sept. 16, 1993. Amended: F. June 29, 1994; eff. July 19, 1994. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Powers, Duties, Titles, Qualifications, Appointments and Other Matters Pertaining to the Department's Unit of Peace Officers" adopted. F. Aug. 27, 1998; eff. Sept. 16, 1998.