Puerto Rico Natural Resources Ranger Corps Explained

Agencyname:Puerto Rico Natural Resources Ranger Corps
Mottotranslated:Protect, Conserve
Formedyear:1979
Formedmonthday:June 29
Employees:310 (2021)
Country:United States
Divtype:Commonwealth
Divname:Puerto Rico
Sizearea:5324sqmi
Sizepopulation:3,994,259 (2007 estimate)
Constitution1:Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Police:yes
Speciality1:Natural Resources
Speciality2:Fishing and hunting
Speciality3:Waterways
Speciality4:Homeland security
Headquarters:Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Sworntype:Law enforcement officer/Natural Reasources Vigilantie
Chief1name:Félix Salas
Chief1position:Commissioner
Parentagency:Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico
Unittype:Units
Unitname:Aerial Patrol
Marine Patrol
Ground Patrol
Officetype:Regional Office
Website:http://www.drna.gobierno.pr/oficinas/cuerpo-de-vigilantes

The Puerto Rico Natural Resources Ranger Corps (Spanish; Castilian: Cuerpo de Vigilantes de Recursos Naturales) is the law enforcement conservation officers for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Its primary mission is to protect endemic plants and animals of Puerto Rico, prevent the introduction of invasive animals and plants and prosecute any person who violates environmental laws.

Its headquarters are located at State Road PR-8838, Km. 6.3, El Cinco neighborhood, in San Juan.

History

Guards Corps was created on June 29, 1977 by Act No.1 SE.[1] The Corps or Rangers are responsible for ensuring the protection of natural resources, monitoring the observance of the laws and regulations that protect the environment, and preventing pollution of the environment. The Corps also serves as the police in all areas under the jurisdiction of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Since 2004 the agency has had 310 rangers and has been unable to train new members due to lack of funds.[2] The rangers of the agency are represented by the Servidores Públicos Unidos de Puerto Rico (United Public Servants of Puerto Rico).[3] Since 2020 the union has requested raises in the salaries of its members.[4] In 2021 the union condemned the inhumane working conditions for workers stationed on Isla de Mona.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2017-05-26. Cuerpo de Vigilantes. 2021-08-22. DRNA. en-US.
  2. Web site: Rico. Sofía. Desde el 2004 la agencia no ha graduado a vigilantes. 2021-08-22. www.noticel.com. en-US.
  3. Web site: Rico. Ed Microjuris com Puerto. 2012-05-16. Servidores Públicos Unidos firma nuevo convenio colectivo en el DRNA. 2021-08-22. Microjuris al Día. es.
  4. Web site: Vigilantes del DRNA reclaman aumentos salariales Gobierno elvocero.com. 2021-08-22. www.elvocero.com.
  5. Web site: Caraballo. Harry Rodríguez. Denuncian pésimas condiciones de salud y seguridad para vigilantes en Isla de Mona. 2021-08-22. Metro. es.