Hi, my name is Kyle Morrison.
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| Holding Enforcement Branch Flag used in parade as part of the annual Peace Officer Memorial ceremony on Parliament Hill, Ottawa. |
I am a Conservation Officer with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) stationed in Timmins.
When I was in high school I had decided that I wanted to pursue a career in law enforcement. I was most interested in policing or natural resources law enforcement. I decided to take the Forestry Technician program from Fleming College to keep more options open for me.
While in college I was able to get experience in law enforcement as a Provincial Park Warden with Ontario Parks. I continued to work as a Park Warden after college in a number of provincial parks around the province. By then I had decided that I was going to pursue a career as a Conservation Officer.
Growing up in a Conservation Officer household I was very familiar with the lifestyle and duties of the job. I was raised hunting and fishing and was always taught the importance of natural resources.
I jumped on any opportunity that would help improve my resume with natural resources related work and volunteer experience. This included a temporary contract working on commercial fishery management and working for a black bear hunting outfitter.
I was lucky enough to obtain a Deputy Conservation Officer appointment and volunteered a number of ride-a-long hours with Conservation Officers throughout much of the province.
I really got my foot in the door when I was successful at getting an Enforcement Intern position with MNR in Parry Sound. I completed my 20 month term as an intern learning from my coach officer.
The door opened wider for me when I became a contract Conservation Officer in Sudbury and then Thunder Bay after my internship had ended. While in Thunder Bay I was finally successful at obtaining a permanent Conservation Officer position in Timmins.
It can be a long and sometimes frustrating road trying to land a permanent Conservation Officer position, but once you have it definitely all pays off. You have to be persistent because as a Conservation Officer you will be part of an elite group of law enforcement officers unlike any other. I really believe that I have the best job in the world. No two days are ever the same and there is a wide variety of duties associated with the job.
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| Checking ice fishing lines during a remote helicopter patrol along the west boundary of Algonquin Park in Parry Sound District. |
It is a lifestyle not a job. It is suited for people that love the outdoors and are passionate about the natural world and protecting it. It is not a Monday to Friday job. You are required to work weekends, holidays and at all hours. This can be an advantage as scheduling can be flexible for your personal life as well.
On any given day I may find myself patrolling by truck, snowmobile, all-terrain vehicle, boat and helicopter. I have had the opportunities to patrol all regions of the province from land based to the Great Lakes.
I may find myself enforcing public safety laws, investigating complaints of poaching, providing backup for one of our MNR Canine Units, working joint patrols with other law enforcement agencies and teaching school kids about the importance of fish and wildlife management and protecting our natural resources.
Every time I put my uniform on I look forward to what the day (or night) might bring.
