The Puerto Rico Natural Resources Ranger Corps (Spanish: 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.[1]
| Puerto Rico Natural Resources Ranger Corps | |
|---|---|
| Motto | Protect, Conserve |
| Agency overview | |
| Formed | June 29, 1979 |
| Employees | 310 (2021) |
| Jurisdictional structure | |
| Operations jurisdiction | Puerto Rico, United States |
| Size | 5,324 square miles (13,790 km2) |
| Population | 3,994,259 (2007 estimate) |
| Constituting instrument |
|
| General nature | |
| Operational structure | |
| Headquarters | Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent agency | Department of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico |
| Units | Aerial Patrol Marine Patrol Ground Patrol |
| Regional Offices | List
|
| Website | |
| [1] | |
Its headquarters are located at State Road PR-8838, Km. 6.3, El Cinco neighborhood, in San Juan.
History
editGuards Corps was created on June 29, 1977 by Act No.1 SE.[2] 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.[3] The rangers of the agency are represented by the Servidores Públicos Unidos de Puerto Rico (United Public Servants of Puerto Rico).[4] Since 2020 the union has requested raises in the salaries of its members.[5] In 2021 the union condemned the inhumane working conditions for workers stationed on Isla de Mona.[6]
References
edit- ^ Puerto Rico Natural Resources Ranger Corps Act (PDF) (1) (in Spanish). 1977. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-16. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
- ^ "Cuerpo de Vigilantes". DRNA. 2017-05-26. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
- ^ Rico, Sofía. "Desde el 2004 la agencia no ha graduado a vigilantes". www.noticel.com. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
- ^ Rico, Ed Microjuris com Puerto (2012-05-16). "Servidores Públicos Unidos firma nuevo convenio colectivo en el DRNA". Microjuris al Día (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-08-22.
- ^ "Vigilantes del DRNA reclaman aumentos salariales | Gobierno | elvocero.com". www.elvocero.com. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
- ^ Caraballo, Harry Rodríguez. "Denuncian pésimas condiciones de salud y seguridad para vigilantes en Isla de Mona". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-08-22.