Puerto Rico Natural Resources Ranger Corps

Last updated
Puerto Rico Natural Resources Ranger Corps
MottoProtect, Conserve
Agency overview
FormedJune 29, 1979
Employees310 (2021)
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionPuerto Rico, United States
Size5,324 square miles (13,790 km2)
Population3,994,259 (2007 estimate)
Constituting instrument
  • Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
General nature
Operational structure
Headquarters Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
Agency executive
  • Félix Salas, Commissioner
Parent agencyDepartment of Natural and Environmental Resources of Puerto Rico
UnitsAerial Patrol
Marine Patrol
Ground Patrol
Regional Offices
List
  • San Juan
  • Arecibo
  • Aguadilla
  • Mayaguez
  • Ponce
  • Guayama
  • Humacao
Website

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]

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. [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]

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References

  1. "Puerto Rico Natural Resources Ranger Corps Act". Act No. 1 of 1977 (PDF) (in Spanish). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-16. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  2. "Cuerpo de Vigilantes". DRNA. 2017-05-26. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  3. Rico, Sofía. "Desde el 2004 la agencia no ha graduado a vigilantes". www.noticel.com. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  4. 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.
  5. "Vigilantes del DRNA reclaman aumentos salariales | Gobierno | elvocero.com". www.elvocero.com. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
  6. Caraballo, Harry Rodríguez. "Denuncian pésimas condiciones de salud y seguridad para vigilantes en Isla de Mona". Metro (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-08-22.