Bureau of Law Enforcement
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) Waterways Conservation Officers (WCOs) are police officers who are also specially trained in fisheries conservation and watercraft safety. WCOs enforce fishing, boating and environmental laws and regulations. The officers patrol streams, rivers and lakes on foot, in vehicles and on boats. Our officers engage with the public in outreach events like stocking waterways with fish, leading fishing programs and boating safety courses.
Our WCOs also investigate the illegal commercialization of native species, illicit trafficking of wildlife, and work to stop practices that cause damage to the environment. Our bureau of law enforcement partners with other wildlife agencies in investigations that fall outside of the PFBC jurisdiction to support conservation protection in neighboring states and across the country.