Shawn-
You touched on a larger problem facing law enforcement, and that is the shortage of recruits in general.
So many of our police, sheriff, and CHP officers are approaching or have reached retirement age. Statewide, there are insufficient recruits to fill all the law enforcement officer positions in the cities, counties and state agencies. In San Francisco, our Sheriff's Dept has a low retention rate, because of their pay. They send recruits to the academies, and when they graduate other jurisdictions entice them away with higher pay and benefits.
Everybody wants to hire Iraq war soldiers, but our federal government won't let them go, but thats another issue...
Same problem with game wardens, but even more acute. DF&G is competing with local law enforcement agencies in addition to the CHP. I'd be willing to bet that the State and National Park rangers (other POST certified officers) get paid more than the game wardens.
If outdoors people want more wardens, somebody will have to speak up for them at the legislature.
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