In a move that has some park’s friends groups up in arms, Iowa is ending “park rangers.” Not that the state is “terminating” park rangers; rather, they’ll now be “conservation officers.” It’s not the name change that’s causing alarm, it’s what the nomenclature change will mean for the parks. Instead of having a park ranger on hand when things get out of hand—you’ll have to call for help and hope it comes in time.
Rangers no longer assigned to a park
Over time, Iowa’s state park rangers will take on the new classification of conservation officers. And instead of being housed directly at an assigned park, the new conservation officers will be reassigned to handle duties in one, or even more, counties. This is where the park advocacy groups see a problem. “Anywhere there is alcohol, law enforcement presence needs to be known. Especially when you’re out in the middle of nowhere,” said Dawn Bill, president of Friends of Pilot Knob, a group that supports Pilot Knob State Park in north-central Iowa.
Bill’s comments come from a story carried by The Gazette, a Cedar Rapids newspaper. The story points out that park rangers wear a variety of hats, from maintenance supervisors to invasive weed controllers. But as sworn law officers, they’re also ready and able to handle the seamier side of park guests who may need a little legal realignment.
State has a workaround
The state’s park department says there shouldn’t be a problem. The reclassification and relocation plan is all part of a bigger scheme of things. Last year, Iowa’s governor got approval to reorganize state agencies to “eliminate redundancies,” and streamline Hawkeye State business. The plan is to cut down the number of state agencies and slash 500 employees from the state payroll.
Concerning the plan for park rangers, “The final vision is for all Law Enforcement staff to be classified as Conservation Officers,” Pete Hildreth wrote in a March 22 email to park employees. Hildreth is the park agency’s Conservation and Recreation Division Administrator. “They will be responsible for enforcing all fish and game laws, boating and OHV (off-highway vehicle) laws, and other outdoor recreational laws, including in state parks, forests, and preserves.” In essence, says Dawn Bill, the Pilot Knob friends group head, if you need law enforcement help, it will be 20 minutes away.
But the state has a workaround for that. During high-use seasons, “temporary officers” will be available. Who will these be? Other park staff, like park technicians and night security officers. What kind of training will help them be sworn peace officers? They’ll get a minimum of 24 hours of training. A third of that will be riding around with a fulltime law enforcement officer.
For some, it’s like this: Shades of the Old West—put your hand on the Bible and put on this tin “deputy” star. Iowa is ending park rangers.
##RVT1151b
Well, good for Iowa looking at ways to reduce redundancy in government. Sounds like a good move more states and especially the Feds should adopt.
There is no “in the middle of nowhere” in Iowa. If there’s an issue and a person dials 911, it will be directed to the nearest officer, which might be from the sheriff, highway patrol, or fish & game.
People complain about camping costs going up. Having a full-time ranger at each park is probably not the best use of those officers. Cost/benefit analysis can help from having to raise costs, especially when risk is low.
Well said Mikal – I was going to type something similar – I like yours better.
I think the move is silly. Look at Woodbury County. Stone State Park to the Correctionville area is about a 40 minute drive. Brown’s lake is about 30 minutes from Stone State park. If that officer has two counties the time gets crazy. I do not like this.
Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Well, that certainly is an interesting development. I guess they’ll need to call Matt Dillon, Hec Ramsey, and Palladin to help out now and again. 🤔😯 Well, thanks again and safe travels! 🙂
A lot can happen in 20 minutes, sad.
10-4 on that. we just had two chemical spills in Iowa rivers. I’ve worked in power plants, chemical plants, pipelines, wind tower’s. There should be run away stops On all The chemical tanks and holding ponds. This is something for pipe fitters Welders. The men and women are tested all the time. welders fitters. There can be no leaks. That means I’ve never seen such a lack of understanding. I would have been fired for doing this type of shoddy work. I’m retired and disabled from all the long hours. Shutting down the big plants. Working holidays. When I could of been home with my children. Sorry never fixes anything. Farmers are not trained to maintain or repair piping leaks spills. Do what you do. Peace out.
You get what you vote for.
Several times over the years I’ve been in parks with unpleasant (easiest term) people. When you need help it is needed NOW…Seems as if this is a very stupid move.
At least I know I will never be in Iowa.
There are other States that don’t have a Park Ranger at each State Park. Seems to be a bit alarmist.
I for one welcome not having bored cop rangers aggressively roaming the campground enforcing parking on the grass and searching campers’ coolers for illicit beers. Let them do law enforcement where its really needed.