48 2020 Annual Report
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Law Enforcement and Public Safety
O F F I C E R S S E A R C H A N D
R E S C U E
Search, rescue and recovery operations were conducted day and
night, weekends and holidays, on everything from missing persons
to searching for evidence in a 20-year-old cold case. Our response to
accident investigations involving lost or missing persons consumed
more than 762 officer hours and more than 8,000 miles during
2020. Highly trained conservation officers used underwater sonar
equipment. This tool and associated skills proved to be a valuable
resource for other law enforcement agencies in the recovery of
evidence for various crimes.
H I D D E N H I L L S O U T F I T T E R S
P O A C H I N G C A S E
2020 saw the near conclusion of a poaching case involving
Hidden Hills Outfitters that uncovered the most egregious abuse
of natural resources in Nebraska's history. An intensive, multiyear
investigation led to the prosecution of more than 32 people involved
in the illegal take of our state's wildlife. Public outcry has expressed
support for our efforts and the court that has levied more than
$570,453 in fines and restitution, more than 53 years of hunting and
fishing permits being forfeited and 30 months in jail time. This case
is not an isolated incident, as we continue to investigate several
similar abuses of our natural resources.
Law Enforcement
and Public Safety
P R O T E C T I N G A N D S E R V I N G
Nebraska conservation officers fill an integral niche supporting a
range of law enforcement functions statewide. As fully certified and
trained enforcement officers, their knowledge of rural and remote
areas, ability to function in difficult conditions and specialized
equipment support our public safety and law enforcement needs
beyond the protection of the state's natural resources. In 2020,
pandemic, protests and a deteriorating view of law enforcement
– combined with a record number of outdoor users – kept our law
enforcement personnel busy and stressed. Our officers remained
essential and fully functional despite the pandemic. Officers
assisted other law enforcement agencies when protests broke out.
JUSTIN
HAAG,
NEBRASKALAND
MAGAZINE
