British Columbia Conservation Officer Service
Encyclopedia
British Columbia Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) is responsible for protecting the environment and natural resources
in British Columbia
. Conservation Officers are peace officer
s, armed, and enforce 6 federal statutes and 25 provincial statutes, including the Species at Risk Act, Liquor Control and Licensing Act, Wildlife Act and Environmental Management Act.
COS is headquartered at Victoria and operates out of 44 office locations. COS is involved in outreach and education, compliance monitoring and verification, public reporting, investigations and enforcement actions.
From 1918-1929, Game Wardens were abolished and the British Columbia Provincial Police
took over the responsibility to enforce wildlife legislations.
In 1961, Game Wardens were officially renamed to Conservation Officer.
In 1980, Conservation Officer Services became a distinct part of the Ministry.
In 1983, Conservation Officers are appointed as special provincial constable. Up until 1987, all COs were males.
Between the years of 1997-2000, COs were given a much wider authority in their law enforcement duties, including the ability to conduct surveillance
, seize property and to arrest
and detain.
In 2002, the Chief Conservation Officer became a legislated position and was placed in charge of BCCOS. He can now designate anyone to become conservation officers, auxiliary conservation officers or special conservation officers, depending on the needs of the agency.
July 1, 2005 marked the 100th Anniversary since the first appointment of Game Warden.
Natural Resources
Natural Resources is a soul album released by Motown girl group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas in 1970 on the Gordy label. The album is significant for the Vietnam War ballad "I Should Be Proud" and the slow jam, "Love Guess Who"...
in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Conservation Officers are peace officer
Peace officer
A law enforcement officer , in North America, is any public-sector employee or agent whose duties involve the enforcement of laws. The phrase can include police officers, prison officers, customs officers, immigration officers, bailiffs, probation officers, parole officers, auxiliary officers, and...
s, armed, and enforce 6 federal statutes and 25 provincial statutes, including the Species at Risk Act, Liquor Control and Licensing Act, Wildlife Act and Environmental Management Act.
COS is headquartered at Victoria and operates out of 44 office locations. COS is involved in outreach and education, compliance monitoring and verification, public reporting, investigations and enforcement actions.
History/Hightlights
On July 1, 1905, British Columbia established the Department for the Protection of Game and Forests, hired the first Game and Forest Warden which eventually grew into the BCCOS today.From 1918-1929, Game Wardens were abolished and the British Columbia Provincial Police
British Columbia Provincial Police
The British Columbia Provincial Police was the policing body for the Canadian province of British Columbia until 1950. The force is usually dated from the appointment of Chartres Brew in 1858 with the formation of the Colony of British Columbia and associated appointments...
took over the responsibility to enforce wildlife legislations.
In 1961, Game Wardens were officially renamed to Conservation Officer.
In 1980, Conservation Officer Services became a distinct part of the Ministry.
In 1983, Conservation Officers are appointed as special provincial constable. Up until 1987, all COs were males.
Between the years of 1997-2000, COs were given a much wider authority in their law enforcement duties, including the ability to conduct surveillance
Surveillance
Surveillance is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people. It is sometimes done in a surreptitious manner...
, seize property and to arrest
Arrest
An arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the purported investigation and prevention of crime and presenting into the criminal justice system or harm to oneself or others...
and detain.
In 2002, the Chief Conservation Officer became a legislated position and was placed in charge of BCCOS. He can now designate anyone to become conservation officers, auxiliary conservation officers or special conservation officers, depending on the needs of the agency.
July 1, 2005 marked the 100th Anniversary since the first appointment of Game Warden.