The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Police is headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland. Their responsibilities include enforcing fish and wildlife laws and regulations. The DNR patrols 500,000 acres that they own or control, and that land is visited and used by 12 million residents and visitors annually. Maryland DNR also protects Maryland’s recreational boating community from Deep Creek Lake to the Atlantic Ocean through education, enforcement, and outreach. The agency aids boaters in distress and conducts search and rescue on all state waterways, and investigates boating accidents and emergencies. Lastly, they oversee the state’s maritime homeland security efforts, including daily patrols of critical waterfront infrastructure. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Police is comprised of a total of 275 sworn personnel and 55 non-sworn personnel.

This webpage was updated on 11/22/24.

Focus Areas

Through this engagement, the COPS Office has established the following 5 focus areas in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Police. For each focus area, the objectives are to provide a comprehensive assessment and assist in the planning and implementation of sustainable organizational improvements.

Focus Area 1: Community Policing

Focus Area 2: Workforce Development

Focus Area 3: Strategic Planning

Focus Area 4: Employee Wellness

Focus Area 5: Technology, Data, and Organizational Learning

Project Status 

Assessment Underway

Contact Information

Feedback and inquiries on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Police Organizational Assessment can be submitted via email crioa+mdnrp@cna.org. Please use the subject line “Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Police OA.”