ADCNR Law Enforcement Section To Pursue NAWLEA Accreditation

The Law Enforcement Section of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division has announced it will pursue accreditation through the North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation (NAWLEA) program. Alabama joins Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina and Virginia as one of the first five conservation departments in the country to pursue NAWLEA accreditation. “NAWLEA’s mission mirrors our own objectives by focusing on the development of professional standards. The formal mechanism they provide will enable us to better evaluate our law enforcement efforts,” Col. Michael Weathers, chief of the section, said. NAWLEA aims to develop and establish standards for professionalism and effectiveness in natural resources law enforcement to foster a culture of excellence and accountability. Law Enforcement Section goals, which include increasing effectiveness and efficiency, promoting cooperation and coordination, ensuring appropriate training, promoting public confidence and elevating the professionalism of participating law enforcement agencies, align with those of NAWLEA.