The California Fish & Game Wardens Association (CFGWA) was founded almost 70 years ago by Department Game Wardens who saw the need for an employees' association. Still going strong with over 200 members and offers the following services to its members:
Legal advice/representation; The FGWA is knowledgeable regarding contract issues, working conditions, and adverse actions, A number of wardens are trained as Job Stewards and are familiar with issues involving internal affairs investigations and disciplinary proceedings.
Legislative representation; The CFGWA is actively monitors and becomes involved with legislation that either positively or negatively impacts the environment, wildlife, and peace officers and/or game wardens.
Quarterly newsletter; The CFGWA produces a newsletter 4 times a year for its members.
Death Benefit; The CFGWA provides a cash death benefit to the designated beneficiary of a member who dies.
This letter was written to Govenor Arnold Schwarzenegger by Cicada Productions after their exposure to the Warden Crisis while filming "Crime Scene Wild with the California Fish and Game Wardens. Watch your local listings and this site for more information about "Crime Scene Wild" air dates.
Please click on the letter image to download the pdf version of this letter of support.
Protecting California's natural resources and serving California Residents since 1871
Fish and Game wardens are sworn Law enforcement officers. They primarily protect California's fish, wildlife and habitat from criminal behavior including: poaching, pollution, and wanton destruction of natural lands, but provide public safety, homeland security, and disaster response to all Californians
Fish and Game arrests often include drug confiscation and the seizure of weapons
Recruitment efforts suffer as Fish and Game wardens receive only 60 percent of the pay and benefits offerred to other law enforment agencies, like the California Highway Patrol. The disparity is even greater when compared to local law enforcement.
Unlike most law enforcement, Fish and Game Warden applicants must have a minimum of two years college education due to the technical diversity of the job. Many Wardens hold Bachelor Degrees and several have Masters.
Fewer Fish and Game Wardens has resulted in higher case loads and slower response or no response to public calls for service. Active patrols have decreased. With the increase in people living California, calls for service have also increased while the Fisha nd Game Warden ranks have decreased
Fish and Game Wardens face additional dangers in the field including patrolling alone in remote locations with limited back up, regular exposure to poison oak, rattlesnakes, West Nile Virus, hazardous materials (response and sampling), animal bites, and regularly armed suspects and citizenry
Fish and Game Wardens annually rescue many hunters, anglers, accident victims, and locate missing or abducted persons. In rural and rigges areas, they are often the only law enforcement nearby.
Wardens initiate complex investigations, surveillances and covert operations that put a stop to many types of criminal activity, in addition to poaching
Fish and Game Wardens are issued specialized weaponry and training in those weapons: High capacity handguns, shotgun and military rifles
Fish and Game Wardens serve as representatives for local government task forces and intelligence networks involving multiple law enforcement agencies, such as CAMP.
Wardens are now in great need of public support and understanding to continue to safely and effectively protect Californians and their natural resources
Donate to the California Fish and Game Wardens Association
The California Fish & Game Wardens Association (CFGWA) was founded almost 70 years ago by Department Game Wardens who saw the need for an employees' association. Still going strong with over 200 members.
Please help us to protect and preserve California's fisheries and wildlife.
With less than 200 Game Wardens in our state, California has the lowest ratio of wardens per capita of all 50 states and provinces of Canada.
The CFGWA is struggling to turn this around, but we desperately need your help. Please make a donation to our cause through Pay Pal on this site. The CFGWA is a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization.
Help Us Stop Polluters and Poachers.
Please give wildlife a voice by donating today to the only organization that works 24/7 to protect the natural resources of the State of California.
We do make a difference, and with your help, we can make more and more of an impact each day.
Thank you.
Below is a document, signed by the majority of the California Legislature in support of California Game Wardens
%20135.png)
© 2007-2009