On March 3, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first agency in the United States to receive accreditation from the North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation Program.
The formal review by assessors took place on January 14-15, 2025. This process included interviews and observations at a static display featuring FWC law enforcement officers and their equipment. The North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (NAWLEA) is responsible for developing standards that promote professionalism and effectiveness in conservation law enforcement. By meeting NAWLEA’s approximately 70 rigorous standards, the FWC Division of Law Enforcement aims to enhance its commitment to high service standards in conserving Florida’s fish and wildlife resources and protecting its residents.
“This milestone is a great honor that reflects the professional excellence of our accreditation team and the entire FWC Division of Law Enforcement,” said Col. Brian Smith, Director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement. “Meeting the standards and goals set by NAWLEA enhances our wildlife conservation efforts and strengthens the profession as a whole.”
Some examples of the NAWLEA standards met by FWC include increasing effectiveness and efficiency in natural resource law enforcement services, promoting cooperation within criminal justice systems, ensuring appropriate training for personnel, boosting public confidence in natural resource law enforcement, and elevating professionalism among agencies involved with NAWLEA.
The North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation program plays an essential role in advancing natural resources law enforcement across North America by establishing rigorous standards that ensure best practices are followed.
For more information about NAWLEA, visit NAWLEA.org/Projects. Additional news related to FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement can be found at MyFWC.com/About under “Law Enforcement” then “Law Enforcement Media Resources.”
