Forest Service Law Enforcement

This is the synthesis of a series of studies to evaluate perceptions of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) law enforcement and investigations (LEI). Five groups were evaluated: four groups of employees from different positions within LEI, and a group of customers of LEI, the line officers of the National Forest System (NFS). The groups responded to questions within 10 topic areas: demographics, area of responsibility, enforcement level and cooperation, roles, existing issues, priorities, customers, natural resources, success stories, and successful LEI program. There were more similarities among the groups than dissimilarities. In fact, there were similar responses among all groups to questions within each of the 10 major topic areas. There were also dissimilarities found between LEI groups and NFS line officers as well as dissimilarities within LEI groups. Findings from these studies suggest LEI and NFS have the opportunity to strengthen the law enforcement program in the USFS. By highlighting areas of similarity between the groups and building further consensus based on that beginning, they can also examine existing differences and work toward understanding the position each group has on those areas.

This is the fifth in a series of studies to evaluate perceptions of the roles, responsibilities, and issues entailed in the jobs of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service law enforcement and investigations (LEI) personnel. An e-mail survey was administered to the 537 Forest Service forest supervisors and district rangers (National Forest System [NFS] line officers) across the United States. Two-hundred and seventy-six completed and returned the questionnaire. Interaction, collaboration, and teamwork were important to the NFS line officer respondents--they reported the need for frequent interactions and had general agreement on priorities with LEI. Budget was a major concern for the NFS line officer respondents as was the shortage of law enforcement officers and forest protection officers. Natural resource protection was seen as important and was thought to be a priority, along with budget and safety. A successful LEI program was characterized as one that is understood by those engaged in or affected by the program and that has sufficient personnel and good communication.