SCDNR Director Tom Mullikin praises officers as “the best in the world” as agency joins an exclusive group of nationally accredited conservation law-enforcement organizations
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Law Enforcement Division has earned national accreditation through the North American Wildlife Law Enforcement Accreditation (NAWLEA) program, becoming only the fourth conservation law enforcement agency in the United States to receive the distinction.
The accreditation was formally presented during the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, Oct. 28.
S.C. now joins Florida, Alabama and Louisiana as the only state conservation law enforcement agencies to achieve this recognition.
“Our officers are simply the best in the world,” said Dr. Tom Mullikin, SCDNR director. “Operating in one of the fastest-growing states in the nation, protecting our natural resources is more critical than ever. That responsibility demands professional, reasonable, and fair enforcement grounded in integrity, sound judgment, and respect for the people we serve.”
National accreditation through NAWLEA represents an independent evaluation of an agency’s policies, operational practices, professional training, investigations, evidence management, officer safety and administrative accountability. SCDNR began its accreditation initiative in 2024, undertaking an extensive review of its law enforcement operations and procedures. The process culminated in an on-site assessment earlier in October, during which evaluators recognized the professionalism and dedication of SCDNR personnel.
“This is a tremendous accomplishment that reflects the dedication and professionalism of our officers and staff across the agency,” said Col. Chisolm Frampton, SCDNR Law Enforcement deputy director. “I am incredibly proud of our accreditation team and everyone who contributed to this achievement.”
SCDNR officers serve communities throughout the state, protecting wildlife, waterways, fisheries and public lands. Their responsibilities include investigating boating and hunting accidents, conducting search-and-rescue operations, enforcing recreational and commercial fishing laws, protecting wildlife from illegal exploitation and assisting other law enforcement agencies.
From remote swamps and expansive reservoirs to coastal waters and dense forests, officers frequently work independently in challenging environments where conditions can make routine duties dangerous. Their work requires a unique combination of law enforcement expertise, conservation knowledge, emergency response capabilities and sound judgment.
Mullikin emphasized that conservation law enforcement extends beyond citations and arrests. It requires protecting lives and natural resources while building public trust through fairness, education and respectful interactions.
“Great law enforcement is not measured simply by the number of citations written or arrests made,” Mullikin said. “It is measured by the lives protected, the resources conserved, the public trust earned, and the professionalism demonstrated in every interaction.”
In addition to his directorship responsibilities, Mullikin is himself a Class I law enforcement officer.
– For more information, visit https://www.dnr.sc.gov/divisions/law.html.
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