The Pennsylvania Game Commission is ending its Deputy Game Warden Program within law enforcement.
According to our news parters at WPXI TV, the program is scheduled to end officially on September 1st.
Agency officials said the change reflects a focus on maintaining an efficient full-time professional workforce to serve as guardians of state wildlife resources. Full-time game wardens hold broad law enforcement authority, with power to enforce Title 18 Crimes Code violations and any other violation of Pennsylvania statute classified as a misdemeanor or above.
In contrast, deputy game wardens served as a volunteer workforce recruited locally on an as-needed basis. Their legal authority was limited strictly to enforcing the Title 34 Game and Wildlife Code.
The commission expressed gratitude to the volunteers who provided services to the agency and the state.
