How to become a Rhode Island Environmental Police Officer

DLE officer on boat
Environmental Police Officer on board a recreational fishing boat checking that fishing regulations are being adhered to
Subscribe to be Notified of DLE Career Opportunities

Protect Rhode Island’s fish, wildlife, and marine resources. Ensure the safety and enjoyment of the public at state parks, beaches, campgrounds, and management areas through enforcement of all state laws, and search and rescue operations. Work outside from patrol vehicles, boats, ATVs, snowmobiles, and E-bikes. All Environmental Police Officers are deputized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service to enforce federal laws respective to each agency within the State.

Competitive salary, State benefits, and opportunities for growth.

Specialty Units: Rescue Swimmer, K-9, Wildlife Tranquilizer, Drone Operation and Surveillance and Crime Scene Investigation.

Specialized Training: Vessel Pursuit and Stop, Tracking and Recovery, Firearms, Use of Force, Wildlife Forensics, Boat Accident Investigation, Fish and Wildlife Undercover Techniques, Breathalyzer Operator Training, Advanced Marine Law Enforcement.  

The Rhode Island Environmental Police Officer Hiring Process

  1. Submit an application at applyri.ri.gov
  2. Pass a physical agility test. Physical fitness requirements.
  3. Pass an oral board interview. This interview tests a candidate’s background knowledge and critical thinking skills.
  4. Pass a comprehensive background investigation, psychological evaluation and additional interviews from background investigators.
  5. Receive and accept an offer of conditional employment.
  6. Graduate from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy (24 weeks).
  7. Complete an 18-week Field Training Program.

If a candidate does not meet the minimum requirement of any step of the hiring process, they will not move onto the next step.

Questions about the job or process? Contact Deputy Chief Michael Schipritt at Michael.schipritt@dem.ri.gov or (401) 222-1981.  

Environmental Police Officer checks fishing possession size and limits
Environmental Police Officer checks fishing possession size and limits
Environmental Police Officer checks small game possession size and limits

Minimum Requirements

Education: A bachelor's degree in Biology, Natural Resources or related discipline.

Experience: Such as may be gained from employment as a full time environmental police officer trainee or in a position responsible for conservation/natural resource law enforcement with powers of arrest.

Special Requirements: Rhode Island motor vehicle operator's license; meet Rhode Island's qualifications to carry weapons used on duty and must maintain such qualification requirements as a condition of employment; must pass the agility performance, the psychological evaluation, and other requirements of the Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy.

RESOURCES

  • Fit 2 Serve Testing to assess the physical readiness of public safety professionals and candidates
  • Job Description
  • Environmental Police Officer Enforcement Powers: RIGL § 20-1-8
  • RI Environmental Police Officer's Association Scholarship Application in Word or PDF

In addition to attending 10 to 12 days of in-service training annually, EPO's also attend the following:

  • Marine Law Enforcement Training: Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA
  • Advanced Marine Law Enforcement: Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA
  • National Safe Boating Instructors Training Course: US Coast Guard Training Center, Yorktown, VA
  • Living Marine Resource Training: US Coast Guard, Otis Air Force Base
  • URI Criminalistic School: State Crime Lab, Kingstown, RI
  • Breathalyzer Operator Training: RI Department of Health
  • Small Arms Course: Smith & Wesson, Springfield, MA
  • Aerobics Law Enforcement Physical Fitness Testing: Cooper Institute of Aerobics Research, Dallas, TX
  • Marine Theft Investigators Training School: International Assoc. of Marine Investigators
  • Fish and Wildlife Investigative and Undercover Techniques Training: Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, GA
  • FBI Small Arms Instructors Training: FBI Training Center
  • Boat Accident Investigation and Advanced Accident Investigation: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Training Center, Harrisburg, PA
  • Wildlife Forensics: Ross Leffler School of Conservation, Harrisburg, PA