DES MOINES, Iowa – Today, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Bureau named Jeff Swearngin as the new Chief to lead the bureau.
Swearngin has been serving as the interim chief since Mark Sedlmayr’s retirement in April. The Law Enforcement Bureau has 90 Conservation Officers, including six supervisors, six recreational safety officers, and 78 field officers. All Conservation Officers are certified state peace officers with the authority to enforce all Iowa laws. The Conservation Officers enforce laws related to hunting, trapping, fishing, navigation, commercial fishing, snowmobiling, and all-terrain vehicles. They also investigate any incidents related to outdoor recreation.
(Learn more about the DNR’s Conservation Officers)
“Jeff Swearngin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table as he leads our Law Enforcement Bureau,” said DNR Director Chuck Gipp. “We are glad to have him lead the Bureau forward and help us further the mission of the DNR.”
“I am honored to lead and serve with the dedicated, professional Conservation Officers of the Iowa DNR,” Swearngin said. “Together I know we will accomplish the goals set forth and continue to serve the people of our great state the best we can.”
Swearngin was born in Jackson, Mississippi and moved to Iowa in 1974. He attended both the University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University. He graduated from ISU in 1984 with a degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. Swearngin began his career as a Natural Resource Technician with the Polk County Conservation Board before he was promoted to a Park Ranger in 1990. He was a graduate of the 121st class of ILEA, where he also served as the class president.
In 2005, Swearngin began his career with the Iowa DNR as a sworn Conservation Officer and was assigned to Polk County. Since then, he’s served as a District Supervisor and most recently the Deputy Chief since January 2015.
Swearngin serves as the Iowa representative on the Mississippi Flyway Council Law Enforcement Committee.
Swearngin is an avid deer, turkey, duck, pheasant, and dove hunter and also enjoys spending time on his boat fishing. He spends a great deal of his free time hunting and fishing with his son and grandkids.
Swearngin lives in Des Moines with his wife, Elaine. They have one son and two step-sons, and five grandchildren.