Expert: Lee Meyer - 10/20/2008

Question
Hi, I live in Tallahassee, FL (I may go back to my hometown, Tampa), and a career I have seriously been considering (I'm a first-time college student) becoming a HLE officer, but I do not know what I need to do, nor how to go about becoming an HLE officer. May you please point me in the right direction. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for your time.

-Jennifer M.-

Answer
Hi,

generally you have to figure out in the county/city you are in, who is in charge of humane officers.  Sometimes it's the sheriff, sometimes it's a local police thing.  Generally it helps to have a knowledge of your state's laws as they relate to animals.

The law enforcement office in charge of humane officers can tell you what their requirements are.  Generally they are officers that specialize in dealing with abuse/neglect cases of animals.  They are especially versed in the laws dealing with animals, confiscations of animals, can determine the difference between neglect, abuse, or owner's bad decisions that are not breaking the law.  You will want to be very up on where the lines are as they can be a fine line.

But generally, start with the law enforcement folks in your area nad ask them who's in charge of it.  If they have nobody, ask if you became an officer if they'd consider you filling such a spot.  You would work with the area animal shelters and rescues.

Often you can find some of this info out on the websites of these law agencies.

Lee