Current through Public Act 149 of the 2024 Legislative Session
Section 324.1607 - Volunteer conservation officers(1) The department may appoint persons to function as volunteer conservation officers. A volunteer conservation officer shall be appointed to assist a conservation officer in the performance of the conservation officer's duties. While a volunteer conservation officer is assisting a conservation officer, the volunteer conservation officer has the same immunity from civil liability as a conservation officer, and shall be treated in the same manner as an officer or employee under section 8 of Act No. 170 of the Public Acts of 1964, being section 691.1408 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. The volunteer conservation officer shall not carry a firearm while functioning as a volunteer conservation officer.(2) As used in this section, "volunteer" means a person who provides his or her service as a conservation officer without pay.(3) To qualify as a volunteer conservation officer, a person shall meet all of the following qualifications: (a) Have no felony convictions. In determining whether the person has a felony conviction, the person shall present documentation to the department that a criminal record check through the law enforcement information network has been conducted by a law enforcement agency.(b) Have completed 10 hours of training conducted by the law enforcement division of the department. (4) Upon compliance with subsection (3) and upon recommendation by the department, a person may be appointed as a volunteer conservation officer. An appointment shall be valid for 3 years. At the completion of the 3 years, the volunteer conservation officer shall comply with the requirements of this section in order to be reappointed as a volunteer conservation officer.(5) A volunteer conservation officer's appointment is valid only if the volunteer conservation officer is on assignment with, and in the company of, a conservation officer.Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. 5/24/1995.