Park rangers who work for the city of Pawnee have a variety of law enforcement roles in addition to their activities that help to educate the public.  The duties of these officers range from routine patrols to giving talks to neighborhood organizations and block clubs.  They work closely with other law enforcement agencies and have received training in such areas as documenting crime scenes.

Although the minimum requirement to become a park ranger for Indianapolis is to have a high school education, the competition to obtain this type of position is fierce.  Many candidates obtain formal education in forestry, park management, or criminal justice such as an associate’s degree to enhance their chances of being selected for the position.

Basic requirements:

• At least 21 years old

• Younger than 70 by their appointment date

• Being a resident U.S. citizen

• A background free of the following:

  • A felony arrest or charge
  • A misdemeanor domestic violence conviction

• A valid driver’s license

• Being a resident of Marion County or one of the 7 adjoining counties at the time of their appointment

• Not having a dishonorable discharge from the military

• Passing a drug screening test

Types of in-service training these park rangers receive:

• Firearms
• Defensive driving

Indiana’s State Park System

With its 34 state parks and reservoirs, along with 26 fish and wildlife areas, Indiana has been successful in preserving a great deal of its natural beauty and critical wildlife habitat.

Park rangers are found in various municipalities within Indiana.  Indianapolis is a prime example of this with its 20 park rangers.  These law enforcement officers patrol the following areas in Indianapolis and other parts of Marion County:

• 207 parks
• 13 golf courses
• 65 miles of greenways and trails
• Eagle Creek Park
  • One of the nation’s largest parks in a city
  • Over 3,900 acres of land, along with a 1,400 acre lake

These professionals also provide security for all events that occur in the parks.