There is a new law in Manitoba that governs Conservation Officers. The government proclaimed the Conservation Officer Act into law October 1st. Jack Harrigan is the province's chief Conservation Officer. He says the act formalizes their duties and responsibilities, spells out training requirements and includes standards of conduct as well as ensuring accountability.

"For the last ten or 12 years, we've been conducting training of new recruits and of officers very similar to any other professional enforcement agency, including qualifications and typical standards you'd see, for example , in police forces, that are applied in the same way in working toward being professional and also accountable."

Harrigan says the process and how things are done are now put into law which ensures there can be no discrepancies and that things are carried out professionally.

"The new Act establishes how the duties and responsibilities of Conservation Officers are done. It oversees the training of Conservation Officers and ensures that standards are adhered to for the training and also puts some other things in place for things like conduct to ensure there is accountability."

Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Tom Nevakshonoff says it's important legislation.

"The protection of people and the environment is a big responsibility, and conservation officers deserve to have their jobs clearly defined. The proclamation of this legislation will support officers in their work across the province."