The Minnesota DNR will host a virtual open house on March 17 for those without law enforcement experience to learn about the Conservation Officer Prep (COP) program. The session will be livestreamed on the Enforcement Division’s Facebook page at noon. Applicants will hear a presentation about conservation officer careers and the hiring process.
Each session includes an opportunity for attendees to ask questions. The application period for the COP is open from March 2 to March 31. The COP hiring process is one way the DNR creates a workforce that more closely resembles the diverse communities conservation officers serve. As part of this process, the DNR’s Enforcement Division will hold two virtual open house sessions for applicants.
The COP hiring process is one way the DNR creates a workforce that more closely resembles the diverse communities conservation officers serve. As part of this process, the DNR’s Enforcement Division will hold two virtual open house sessions for applicants.
To qualify for COP, candidates need at least a two-year degree but no law enforcement background. The program includes 22 weeks at Hennepin Technical College (late November 2026–late April 2027), 16 weeks at the Conservation Officer Academy at Camp Ripley (May–late August 2027), and about four months of field training (late August–mid-December 2027).
In early summer, the DNR will seek applications for the 2027 CO Academy from individuals who have law enforcement experience.
Minnesota Conservation Officers are licensed law enforcement officers, but their “office” is the state’s vast wilderness. Their duties are diverse and change significantly with the seasons in Minnesota.
COs ensure sustainable and legal use of Minnesota’s natural resources. Their duties include checking hunting and fishing licenses, enforcing bag limits and safety regulations, and inspecting commercial game farms, minnow dealers, and timber harvests.
COs are the main law enforcement on lakes and trails, patrolling waterways, and monitoring snowmobile and ATV use. Using specialized equipment, they often respond first to remote emergencies, such as missing hikers or accidents.
A significant part of the CO’s job is preventing violations through education. They oversee volunteer instructors for Firearms Safety, Snowmobile Safety, and ATV Safety programs.
Sometimes they’ll attend local lake association meetings, school events, and sportsmen’s clubs to explain new regulations and conservation goals.
While their focus is on the outdoors, Minnesota COs have full peace officer authority. They frequently assist County Sheriffs and State Patrol with traffic accidents, domestic calls in rural areas, or high-priority criminal investigations.
The COP program is unique because it targets people with no law enforcement background. If you or someone you know is looking for a new career and has a strong interest in the outdoors, consider this program.
Additional information, including a link to the application, is on the DNR website (mndnr.gov/enforcement/careers).
