VDGIF graduated 19 new CPO's on June 26, 2008. http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/law-enforcement/academy/4th/graduation/

Four of them are being assigned to the Franklin, Henry, Patrick County area which means we will see a lot of them along the Smith River. They still have to go through "field training" but I expect most of that will also be in their assigned areas.

Conservation Police Officers newly assigned to our area are:

Nicholas Farmer - Henry County

William Barnhart - Franklin County

Eric Dotterer, Jr. - Franklin County

Joseph Williams - Franklin County

Chase Meredith - Patrick County


Two others are also being assigned to nearby Roanoke and Spotsylvania county.

We should all have the DGIF Dispatch Center (804) 367-1258 programmed into the speed dial of our cell phones. I can attest to the fact that this is a reliable way to contact the nearest CPO. (This number may also be utilized to report wildlife, fish, or boating crimes in progress if they are observed on the Smith or anywhere else in the Commonwealth.) The Henry County Sheriff's Office dispatch center (911) is also knowledgeable on how to reach Conservation Police Officers. Sheriff's deputies or any other sworn law enforcement officer also have the authority to make game, fish, or boat arrests within their own jurisdictions.

With all these additional law enforcement eyes checking out our area it is imperative that us folks who have been very vocal in the past about the lack of enforcement presence have our own ducks in order and conduct ourselves in a manner that is beyond reproach. Don't be tempted to cut a corner or hedge on a regulation because the odds are now in favor of your being called on it. Check the expiration date on your license - easy to forget when it is due for renewal now that it goes from one year of date of purchase.

Like I said up in the subject line - Help is on the way!