A. The Director, when he deems it necessary, may request the Governor to commission an individual designated by the Director to act as a conservation officer of the Commonwealth. Upon concurring with the Director's request, the Governor shall direct the Secretary of the Commonwealth to issue a conservation officer commission to the designated individual. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall deliver a copy of the commission to the Director. Any individual so commissioned shall hold his commission during his term of employment with the Department, subject to the provisions of § 10.1-118.
B. The Director, upon the request of the Breaks Interstate Park Commission, may request the Governor to commission an individual who meets the requirements of § 10.1-120 and is designated by the Director to act as a conservation officer of the Commonwealth. Upon concurring with the Director's request, the Governor shall direct the Secretary of the Commonwealth to issue a conservation officer commission to the designated individual. The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall deliver a copy of the commission to the Director.
C. To be qualified to receive a conservation officer commission, a person shall (i) be at least 21 years of age and (ii) have graduated from high school or obtained an equivalent diploma.
D. Each conservation officer shall qualify before the clerk of the circuit court of the city or county in which he resides, or in which he first is assigned duty, by taking the oaths prescribed by law. An employee of the Breaks Interstate Park Commission shall qualify before the clerk of the circuit court of Dickenson County.
E. The Director may designate certain conservation officers to be special conservation officers. Special conservation officers shall have the same authority and power as sheriffs throughout the Commonwealth to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth.
1994, c. 205; 2015, cc. 64, 489.
Structure Code of Virginia
Chapter 1 - General Provisions
§ 10.1-101. Department continued; appointment of Director
§ 10.1-102. Powers and duties of Director
§ 10.1-103. Organization of the Department
§ 10.1-104. Powers of the Department
§ 10.1-104.1. Department to assist in the nonpoint source pollution management program
§ 10.1-104.2. Voluntary nutrient management training and certification program
§ 10.1-104.2:1. Nitrogen application rates; regulations
§ 10.1-104.3. Clean Water Farm Award Program
§ 10.1-104.4. Nutrient management plans required for state lands; review of plans
§ 10.1-104.5. Nutrient management plans required for golf courses; penalty
§ 10.1-104.6. Supplemental environmental projects
§ 10.1-104.6:1. ConserveVirginia program established
§ 10.1-104.7. Resource management plans; effect of implementation; exclusions
§ 10.1-104.8. Resource management plans; criteria
§ 10.1-104.9. Regulations under this article
§ 10.1-105. Board of Conservation and Recreation
§ 10.1-106. Officers; meetings; quorum
§ 10.1-107. General powers and duties of the Board
§ 10.1-109. Lease of lands and other properties
§ 10.1-110. Easements to governmental agencies and public service corporations
§ 10.1-111. Removal of minerals
§ 10.1-112. Capital improvement projects
§ 10.1-114. Commemorative facilities and historic sites management; duties of Director
§ 10.1-114.1. Directory of cultural heritage sites
§ 10.1-115. Appointment of conservation officers; qualifications; oath
§ 10.1-116. Jurisdiction of conservation officers
§ 10.1-117. Powers and duties of conservation officers
§ 10.1-118. Decommissioning of conservation officers
§ 10.1-119. Defense of conservation officer of the Department prosecuted on criminal charges
§ 10.1-120. Commissioning of Breaks Interstate Park Commission employees as conservation officers