Government outlines plan to issue sidearms to conservation officers

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today that government will provide sidearms to the province�s conservation officers. Minister Byrne was joined in making the announcement by Larry Kinden, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Conservation Officers Association.

In Budget 2005, government allocated $584,500 for implementation costs associated with this initiative including officer training and education, psychological testing, the purchase of sidearms and administrative requirements.

"After a series of meetings over the past year with the conservation officers association, this government became more fully aware of the extent of the potential hazards our conservation officers face in their line of duty," said Minister Byrne. "In fact, the threatening situations they are often confronted with have been identified as a serious occupational health and safety concern. After a thorough review of the information presented, government has decided to take the necessary action to provide a safer and more secure work environment for its conservation officers."

Minister Byrne stated that sidearms will only be provided to those conservation officers who perform enforcement-related activities after these officers have successfully completed psychological testing and sidearms training.

"Conservation officers are already trained in the use of rifles and shotguns which assists them in carrying out their responsibility in the area of wildlife management," said Minister Byrne. "This decision is about ensuring our conservation officers have a sense of security and safety protecting our natural resources on behalf of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."

Mr. Kinden applauded government for making this vital policy decision that will provide greater safety for the province�s conservation officers. "The Newfoundland and Labrador Conservation Officers Association is pleased with the manner in which this government has worked with us to bring a conclusion to this long-standing issue," said Mr. Kinden. "Providing a safer work environment will improve the ability of conservation officers to perform their duties while providing greater peace of mind for their families. We look forward to the implementation process and enhancing our working relationship with government on this and future issues."

Mr. Kinden said he anticipates a smooth transition to armed conservation enforcement. "Information from other jurisdictions demonstrates that providing enforcement officers with a safer working environment through the issuance of sidearms has improved the quality of enforcement activity."

The decision to arm conservation officers is also significant since it now means natural resources enforcement activity here will be consistent with other all provincial conservation enforcement agencies across Canada which have previously issued sidearms to enforcement staff.

Minister Byrne commended Mr. Kinden and his association members for their effort in assisting government reach this decision and for the work performed by all conservation officers throughout the province.

"We are all fortunate to have a team of such highly-skilled and dedicated professionals working on behalf of government and the public," said Minister Byrne. "Government remains committed to helping ensure the safety of our conservation officers which will enhance their ability to effectively perform their duties and deter potential violators from engaging in illegal activity that threatens our valuable natural resources."

• Backgrounder - Archive of Threats and Assaults on Conservation Officers in Newfoundland and Labrador

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709)729-5282, (709) 685-4624

2005 03 23                   10:45 a.m.