WI Game Warden Lodge 18
Our Story:
The Wisconsin Conservation Warden Association (WCWA) Board of Directors chartered a Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge – WI Game Warden Lodge 18 - in the spring of 2018. Our biggest reason for doing this was because in the summer of 2017, the WCWA was informed by DOJ that Wardens in an Officer Involved Shooting should have their own legal representation for the post shooting investigation. The State of Wisconsin/DNR would not be providing this legal protection since it would be a conflict of interest to have a State employee (DCI) investigating the shooting while another State employee (DOJ attorney) represented the warden involved.
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This realization came as a shock to many current wardens, so the WCWA looked into several ways to offer access to this necessary legal protection. Ultimately, the WCWA Board voted to create a Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge to provide wardens access to legal protection. All active, retired, and former law enforcement officers who are currently WCWA members are eligible to become WI Game Warden Lodge 18 members. Those who want the FOP’s legal protection can purchase it at their own cost. The WI Game Warden Lodge 18 exists to make it easier for our members to access excellent legal protection. This lodge does not participate in the labor services that are offered by the National FOP.
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