$11 Million for Conservation Police Officers
In 2008, the Department of Natural Resources paid 154 conservation police officers almost $12 Million in wages
by Mark Cavers
Following up on a blog about wages at the Department of National Resources, I found that the DNR employed 154 Conservation Police Officers and Sergeants who were paid a combined total of $11,733,280.14 in wages in 2008. 66 Conservation police officers made over $80,000 and 11 made over $100,000. The highest paid employee was a conservation police sergeant, who was paid $132,916.68 in 2008.
Upon hiring CPOs make $3,127 per month and after one year of work and a certification, they receive a 33% pay increase to $4,136 per month ($49,632 per year). Additionally, CPOs receive annual pay increases regardless of performance, paid vacation days, sick days, and personal days, and holidays, overtime , uniforms, equipment, and vehicles, as well as life and hospitalization insurance.
Conservation police officers have full police authority. They “focus upon those laws and activities associated with natural resource protection and recreational safety.” In addition to their role as the enforcers of state hunting, fishing, criminal, drug, and vehicle laws in state parks, CPOs are responsible for protecting ginseng, doves, and salmon.
You can find this information by going to IllinoisOpenGov.org, clicking on “Payroll” and searching for “Conservation Police Officers” and “Conservation Police Sergeants” under the “Position” heading.