Anyone interested in a career as an ICO should first read “Becoming a Conservation Officer” at dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor and complete the pre-screening test at dnr.IN.gov/lawenfor/9801.htm. Completion of the pre-screening test by midnight Feb. 28 is required to be considered for the 2020 hiring process, which starts in early March.
To be qualified to pass the pre-screening test, you must be a U.S. citizen; be 21 years old by April 16, 2021; and have an associate’s degree from an accredited college or completed 60 hours toward a bachelor’s degree, or have four years full time active military service with an honorable discharge by Sept. 21, 2020. You must be able to pass minimum Indiana Law Enforcement Academy physical fitness requirements as listed at ilea.IN.gov/2338.htm.
Conservation officers comprise Indiana’s oldest state law enforcement agency. ICOs are fully recognized Indiana police officers who enforce and uphold all DNR rules and regulations as well as all other Indiana state laws. ICOs spend the majority of their time enforcing fishing and hunting regulations, conducting marine boat patrol on Indiana’s waterways, and patrolling DNR properties to keep them safe and family friendly.
In addition to traditional law enforcement work, ICOs also engage in many specialty areas, including Scuba, K-9, search and rescue, swift water rescue and many more.