Law Enforcement and Investigations - Enforcement

Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Darren Schiedel conducting a traffic stop — U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement and Investigations at work on the Uinta Wasatch Cache National Forest near Salt Lake City. Here, Law Enforcement Officer Darren Schiedel makes a traffic stop. (*U.S. Forest Service photo by Preston Keres*)

Law Enforcement on National Forest Lands

Uniformed Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) protect public lands, visitors, and Forest Service employees. To do this, they patrol roads, public lands, and recreation sites daily.

LEOs enforce Federal laws and regulations, including:

36 CFR Part 261: General rules for all National Forest System lands nationwide.
36 CFR Part 242: Subsistence hunting and fishing rules (Alaska only).
Titles 18 and 21: United States Code sections on federal crimes and drugs.

To enforce these laws, officers can:

Carry firearms and defensive equipment.
Issue citations and make arrests.
Execute search warrants.
Write reports and testify in court.

Below are the specific duties involved in their work

Core Duties

Protecting resources: Guarding archeological sites.
Enforcing resource laws: Checking fish and wildlife compliance.
Investigating theft: Tracking stolen timber.
Investigating fires: Finding wildfire causes.
Handling drugs: Stopping controlled substance use, distribution, and manufacturing.
Managing traffic: Enforcing laws on forest roads.

Public Safety and Community Outreach

Providing medical aid: Responding to medical emergencies.
Investigating crashes: Documenting vehicle accidents.
Educating the public: Running informational programs.

Agency Collaboration

Partnering locally: Working with Federal, State, and local police.
Saving lives: Cooperating on search and rescue missions.
Assisting special agents: Supporting complex criminal investigations.
Sharing global practices: Exchanging law enforcement techniques through Forest Service International Programs.