Law Enforcement
Conservation Officers hold Special Provincial Constable status and enforce 33 federal and provincial statutes including the Wildlife Act, Environmental Management Act, and Fisheries Act.
Wildlife Conflict Response
COs respond to human-wildlife conflicts 24/7 — from bears in garbage to cougars near schools. They assess risk, educate the public, and intervene when public safety is at stake.
Investigation & Compliance
Officers investigate poaching, illegal hunting, environmental violations, and commercial natural resource offences. They work alongside RCMP, DFO, and First Nations guardians.
Community Education
COs partner with WildSafeBC coordinators to deliver public education on attractant management, coexistence practices, and wildlife legislation to reduce preventable conflicts.
Reporting Guide
When Should You Call the COS?
Call Immediately (911 + RAPP)
- Wildlife threatening human safety
- Animal attack in progress
- Injured or aggressive wildlife
- Bear inside a building or vehicle
- Cougar stalking people or livestock
Report via RAPP (Non-Emergency)
- Poaching or illegal hunting
- Wildlife in unsecured garbage
- Habituated or food-conditioned animals
- Environmental violations
- Orphaned or injured wildlife
Note: Bylaw officers handle local attractant bylaw violations (unsecured garbage, compost, bird feeders). Contact your municipality first for non-emergency attractant issues.
Lower Sunshine Coast
Communities Served
Traditional Territories
shíshálh Nation · Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation
Sgt. Dean Miller
Sergeant — Field Supervisor, Sunshine Coast Zone
Zone supervisor responsible for overseeing all COS operations on the Lower Sunshine Coast. Frequently quoted in local media on bear conflict trends and attractant management.
RAPP Line: 1-877-952-7277
CO Riley Lafferty
Conservation Officer
Front-line officer responding to wildlife conflict calls across the Lower Sunshine Coast communities.
RAPP Line: 1-877-952-7277
CO Murray Smith
Conservation Officer
Front-line officer covering wildlife enforcement and human-wildlife conflict response in the Lower Sunshine Coast region.
RAPP Line: 1-877-952-7277
Field Note: Bear call volume typically spikes in late summer when natural food sources are scarce. Unsecured garbage is the leading cause of bear conflicts in this zone.
Upper Sunshine Coast
Communities Served
Traditional Territories
Tla'amin Nation (ɬaʔamɩn)
CO Leyland Klassen
Conservation Officer (Powell River)
Senior officer for the qathet region with extensive local knowledge. Regularly issues public advisories on bear activity and has responded to notable incidents including grizzly bear sightings on Texada Island and in the Lang Bay area.
RAPP Line: 1-877-952-7277
CO Jacob Clausen
Conservation Officer (Powell River)
Front-line officer covering wildlife conflict response and natural resource law enforcement across the qathet Regional District.
RAPP Line: 1-877-952-7277
Field Note: The qathet region sees bear activity extend later into autumn than many BC regions. Leyland Klassen has noted that year-round attractant management — not just seasonal — is critical in this area.
Community Education Partner
WildSafeBC Sunshine Coast
WildSafeBC Community Coordinators work alongside the COS to deliver public education, community outreach, and attractant management programs. For the 2025 season, the Sunshine Coast coordinator is Mackenzie, operating from May through November.
WildSafeBC is a program of the BC Conservation Foundation, funded in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Regional District and the Province of BC.
Local Bylaw Contacts
Expanding Nationally
More Regions Coming Soon
Wildlife Wise Canada is building officer profiles for every region of BC and across Canada. If you are a Conservation Officer, WildSafeBC coordinator, or regional wildlife authority who would like to be featured, please reach out.
Contact Gerald to Add Your Region