What is a NC Wildlife Officer Worth?

In 1984, I recall sitting in a classroom at the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill, NC.  I was surrounding by classmates all anxious to become wildlife officers.  At some point during those first couple of days Major Ray Johnson came in and asked us a question.

“Is there anyone here who wants to be a state trooper?  If you do, let me know.  I have contacts over there and can probably get you hired if that is what you want.”

No one spoke a word.

“If you don’t want to be troopers, then I don’t expect to hear any comparisons to troopers.”

Major Johnson went on to tell us that we shouldn’t be concerned about what troopers are paid because in his experience, when troopers are taken care of, wildlife officers are as well. 

Major Ray Johnson (L) presents a plaque to the parents of slain wildlife officer Neal Mayes
from Wildlife in North Carolina 1984

Governor Pat McCrory’s proposed budget for 2015-2017 brings that into question.  In that budget, he proposes that 700 NC State Highway Patrol troopers who are not at top pay have their 5% step raises reinstated.  NCSHP had those steps in place for many years, but the steps were eliminated during the recent economic downturn.  The proposed budget also includes requests for raises for teachers and correctional officers.  As was pointed out in a recent article, the governor seems to be moving away from across the board pay increases for state employees and instead targeting specific groups.

Page 174 of Gov. McCrory's proposed budget

In all fairness, both the NCSHP and the Division of Adult Corrections have experienced substantial cuts in recent years.  Several prisons have closed and numerous correctional officers lost their jobs.  This is not about devaluing what troopers or correctional officers do or their worth to the citizens of North Carolina.  But, the governor’s budget does bring into question how much he values other state employees in general and specifically other state law enforcement officers.

During the recent declared state of emergency situations, wildlife officers worked around the clock ensuring that no motorists were stranded and forced to spend the night in their vehicles.  Every day, there are wildlife officers providing “law enforcement off the payment,” patrolling our state’s woodlands and waterways.  While their primary duties are to enforce the hunting, fishing, trapping and boating laws, their presence in these areas provides safety and security to those who enjoy quality of life activities such hiking, walking their dogs, canoeing, and a multitude of other non-hunting and fishing activities.

from www.wnct.com

The disparities between various staff of the NCSHP and other state law enforcement officers, including wildlife officers, is often a point of contention.  A comparison of various ranks through the News and Observer data base reveals how wide those differences can be.  The proposed step increases will only widen that gap.

So, what can be done?  The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) has struggled to hold onto funding since 2008.  Appropriated funds have decreased by 50% during that period.  The NCWRC can’t request increases – the commission is trying to hold onto what they have.  The Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) is just one division within the NCWRC.  DLE can’t request increases without alienating the rest of the commsission.

The best of course of action is for citizens to make their legislators aware of the value of wildlife officers and their desire to see them compensated at the same rate as NC State Highway Patrol troopers.  Each have a different, but valuable role in maintaining a safe environment for the citizens of North Carolina.  In a recent news conference, both Governor McCrory and Donald van der Vaart, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, discussed the value of state parks and our wild places to North Carolina's economic recovery.  Specifically, Governor McCrory told the group that “we need to develop a strategy for the future” to manage these areas.  That strategy should include adequate compensation for the services wildlife officers provide to everyone in North Carolina.

What can we do?  The contact information for your legislative members can be found at this site.  An email can express your opinion.  A phone call carries much weight.  Oddly enough the most effective communication to your legislator is a handwritten note or letter.

Major Johnson was a great story and joke teller.  I recall one he told was from the days when troopers and wildlife officers both trained there at the Institute.  The story goes that a trooper and wildlife officer both finished their business in the restroom and the wildlife officer failed to wash his hands.  As the trooper washed his hands he asked the wildlife officer,

“Don’t they teach you in wildlife school to wash your hands after you piss?”

As the wildlife officer walked through the door, he answered over his shoulder, “Nah, they teach us not to piss on our hands.”

In this case, wildlife officers can’t “dirty their hands” by making these contacts.  Friends and supporters have to take this step for the officers.