The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs) are law enforcement officers that are specially trained in conservation, watercraft safety, and environmental protection. As such, each year, WCOs work hard to protect Pennsylvania’s aquatic resources for the anglers and boaters that rely on them for outdoor recreational activities. However, despite the vital role of WCOs, these officers earn lower salaries than their counterparts in other states, as well as their fellow law enforcement officers in Pennsylvania.
 
We believe that since WCOs serve such an important function in the Commonwealth, they should be compensated fairly for their work. That is why we plan to introduce legislation that would require that full-time WCOs are compensated on the same pay scale as that of Pennsylvania State Police Officers. We believe that our bi-partisan legislative effort to resolve this problem will show our appreciation for our state’s WCOs and assist in incentivizing qualified individuals to apply and eventually serve in these roles.
 
The men and women that enforce our laws governing Pennsylvania’s aquatic species, habitats, and watercraft should be recognized and compensated as much as any other law enforcement officers, so please join us in support of this important legislation.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0600: 30-304