Guardians of the wild: The impact of judicial interactions on game wardens’ well-being

• In Event: Prosecutorial Discretion in Context: Organizational, Interpersonal, and Situational Dimensions

Abstract

This study investigates the interactions between game wardens and prosecutors and their impact on game wardens’ occupational well-being, including job satisfaction, motivation, stress, and frustrations. As law enforcement officers enforcing wildlife conservation laws, game wardens regularly collaborate with prosecutors, yet little is known about how these interactions affect them. The primary focus is to bridge the significant knowledge gap in criminology regarding game wardens, an overlooked population despite their unique role at the intersection of environmental protection and law enforcement. This research addresses the scarcity of studies on their occupational experiences and the influence of the judicial system, expanding our understanding of their professional challenges and contributions. Using a mixed methods approach, data will be gathered through snowball sampling, surveys, and potential interviews. Surveys will measure quantitative factors like stress and satisfaction, while interviews will offer qualitative insights into wardens’ perceptions of prosecutor interactions. By combining these methods, the study aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on game wardens’ occupational realities. The findings could guide policies to enhance judicial collaboration, improving wardens’ well-being and shedding light on their critical yet understudied role in criminology.

Author

• Kierston Viramontes, California State University, San Bernardino