New Conservation Police Academy dedicated      

Center is an example of innovative, economical renovation

[APRIL 30, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- The new Conservation Police Academy was dedicated Thursday on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. The facility is a renovated building that formerly housed Department of Corrections inmates. The renovations were completed using just $6,000 of state taxpayer money.

"These renovations were accomplished in the same way that a homeowner would do a project -- using what we had and pinching pennies at every turn," said Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Joel Brunsvold. "Not only did we do this inexpensively, but we certainly have a facility of which we can be proud."

The center includes a gymnasium, classroom, dormitories, lounge and cafeteria. The building is furnished with items from state and federal surplus. Donations from the private sector, including the Illinois Conservation Foundation, have funded improvements ranging from carpeting to bedding in the dormitories. Portions of the facility have been used by the Illinois Conservation Police Department since last July, already saving the agency $25,000 in lodging and rental costs.

"To become a conservation police officer requires an extensive amount of training and dedication," said Illinois Conservation Police Director Galen Westerfield. "We have created a facility where officers can have a quality learning experience."

The new Conservation Police Academy will be used during training of conservation police officers, as well as to house officers who are called to Springfield from other locations around Illinois for special details. It will also be used for officers receiving continuing education.

"Conservation police officers have some of the toughest jobs in the field of law enforcement," said Lt. Eric Bumgardner. "Their job requires them to go into remote locations to catch people who are breaking state conservation law. Often, they are approaching lawbreakers whom they know have guns."

There are 158 conservation police officers in the state of Illinois. To become an officer requires 400 hours of general police training and 12 weeks of training in conservation law. Conservation officers' duties include enforcing the wildlife and aquatic code, law enforcement in Illinois state parks, and safety enforcement and training for recreational activities, including boating, hunting and snowmobiling.

[Illinois Department of Natural Resources news release]