Abstract:
This is the synthesis of a series of studies to evaluate perceptions of U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USFS) law enforcement and investigations (LEI). Five groups were evaluated: four groups of employees from different positions within LEI, and a group of customers of LEI, the line officers of the National Forest System (NFS). The groups responded to questions within 10 topic areas: demographics, area of responsibility, enforcement level and cooperation, roles, existing issues, priorities, customers, natural resources, success stories, and successful LEI program. There were more similarities among the groups than dissimilarities. In fact, there were similar responses among all groups to questions within each of the 10 major topic areas. There were also dissimilarities found between LEI groups and NFS line officers as well as dissimilarities within LEI groups. Findings from these studies suggest LEI and NFS have the opportunity to strengthen the law enforcement program in the USFS. By highlighting areas of similarity between the groups and building further consensus based on that beginning, they can also examine existing differences and work toward understanding the position each group has on those areas.
