The memo below is from Tom Harelson, the DNR's Chief of Wardens.  In it, he expresses his growing alarm to DNR head George Meyer about the lagging ability of the state's wardens to protect Wisconsin's natural resources from abuse.  Highlight's from Chief Harelson's report to Sec. Meyer follow the memo.
 
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CORRESPONDENCE/MEMORANDUM

   DATE:        January 20, 1998

    TO:            George Meyer

    FROM:       Tom Harelson

    SUBJECT:  Warden Staffing Report

As you know George, I have been in my current position for a little more than eight months.  As District Warden, Regional Warden, and now as Chief, I have been involved with the statewide law enforcement management team for the past twelve years.  During all of those years, I have been seriously concerned about warden staffing and the impact that it has , not only on the resource, but also on the citizens of this state and on our employees.  As Chief, I am not responsible for the impact and feel compelled to take some action.  Along with apprising you of the magnitude of the problem, I am asking to meet with you to discuss possible dramatic measures on how to address the issue.

For the past three years, law enforcement has focused on workload reduction and how wardens can use technology to lessen the impacts of serious staffing problems.  Although we have made some progress, the overall impact has been negligible compared to the losses in enforcement efforts since 1979.  While workload is an issue for all functions of the agency, the field wardens' work is intricately woven with the public and will more directly impact the public's perception of DNR.  Last year our field wardens responded to over 20,000 citizens complaints and made over 250,000 personal contacts with citizens.  Cuts in warden staffing directly transmit into reduced service to the citizens of this state at the grass roots level.

Our wardens believe very strongly in community policing.  Achieving compliance by problems solving and community partnerships requires wardens to have minimal time available to be proactive.  Unfortunately, our wardens have become largely responsive to citizen complaints, leaving little or no time for them to work proactively.

When I started as a new recruit in 1974, I can still remember Bill Rollman (Conservation Warden Training Office) tell us that we would be part of the "thin gray line."  He told us, "That line stands squarely between the resource and those who would abuse the resource."  Training Office Rollman instilled in us that we could make a difference and that the "thin gray line" was the first line of defense for the resources and for public safety.  I am afraid today, that the "thin gray line" has changed to a thin gray dotted line and the dots are getting farther and farther apart!  Today there are gaping holes in that line that we cannot patch anymore.  George, that worries me!

I have asked my staff to put together a report detailing the problem.  I am attaching a copy of that report.

Highlights from chief Harelson's report, "Conservation Warden Staffing."