Robert Farrell, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ new chief of enforcement, pledged to work on improving efficiency and providing more resources to staff as he takes the reins as helm of DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement. The former Hilo conservation officer started his new job Wednesday.
Farrell, 55, retired in 2015 as assistant chief of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, where at one point he managed about 110 officers. Other duties as assistant chief included overseeing the department’s covert operations and maritime enforcement division, he said.
Born on Oahu and raised in Hawaii and California, Farrell has more than 20 years of experience in fish and wildlife enforcement and holds a master’s degree in emergency services administration from California State University, Long Beach, according to DLNR. After leaving California, Farrell worked for about a year as a DOCARE officer patrolling the Hilo area for natural-resource and state parks violations.
“It’s always been my goal to come back home … and live the rest of my life in Hawaii,” Farrell said Thursday. “I thought to myself, with the knowledge that I had gained in California and also my knowledge working in (DOCARE) on the front lines, I thought I should really step up.”
Farrell said he applied for the chief’s position a few years ago but was not selected. Now as chief, he said developing more efficient enforcement strategies, such as assigning officers to handle specific issues, could help in directing resources.
In a statement, DLNR Chairwoman Suzanne Case on Thursday described Farrell as “a leader who has extensive conservation enforcement experience both within our own agency and with other organizations tasked with protecting natural and cultural resources.”
DOCARE has more than 100 officers statewide who enforce DLNR’s rules and regulations as well as monitor parks, historic and cultural sites, forests, sanctuaries and public fishing areas. The division is also tasked with enforcing rules for ocean and recreational programs, game management and natural area reserves. Thomas Friel led the division for six months until June. Jason Redulla had been serving as acting enforcement chief.
