Animal and Wildlife Liaison Officer

Wildlife Liaison
Wildlife Liaison

Our specialist Wildlife Liaison Officer raises awareness of wildlife and animal welfare issues within the Police Service. A crime is a crime and therefore every investigating police officer can investigate wildlife and animal crime with the specialist knowledge of the central Wildlife Liaison Officer.

The Wildlife Liaison Officer is the central point of contact within the Police Service for police officers and police staff when advice, support and assistance is required in relation to all animal welfare or wildlife crime with particular links to a suspected breach in the legislation and/or any associated queries.

The main areas of responsibilities for the Wildlife Liaison Officer include:

  • Advice and guidance for police officers and police staff in the investigation of any suspected breach in wildlife legislation including the Wildlife (NI) Order 1985 as amended by the Wildlife and Natural Environment Act (NI) 2011 otherwise known as the WANE Act (NI) 2011.   

Examples include:

  • Schedule 5 species, for example the protection of badgers and their setts (a full list of animals can be found in the legislation)
  • Introduction of non-native species (for example, grey squirrels, muntjac deer etc)
  • Protection of nests (for example, in use or being built)
  • Illegal killing or poisoning of birds of prey (for example, buzzards, red kites).
  • Illegal deer hunting (for example, out of season, at night etc)
  • Wild flowers (for example, illegal uprooting of wildflowers)
  • Bats (disturbance of habitat and roosts) as per the habitats legislation

This list provides examples and is not exhaustive. Please refer to legislation for full lists.  

The Wildlife Liaison Officer offers:

  • Advice and guidance for police officers and police staff in the investigation of a possible breach in the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011 (mainly section 8 i.e. fighting offences).
  • Advice, support and guidance to the police staff and police officers on the Control of Trade in Endangered Species (CoTES) legislation, for example selling endangered species (types of monkeys, ivory, etc.) within Northern Ireland. 
  • Support and guidance to police officers and staff when animals are on the road.
  • Liaises with statutory and non-statutory agencies through the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAWNI).  oFr more information visit the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAWNI) website.

The Wildlife Liaison Officer offers advice, support and assistance to police which will assist them in deciding if a breach of the legislation has occurred and, if so, what further action may be required. The matter is therefore investigated at local level by an assigned investigating officer. The Wildlife Liaison Officer will recommend expert witnesses to assist in wildlife or animal welfare investigations.

For general enquiries on wildlife please go to the Northern Ireland Environment Agency website.

Read the Northern Ireland Environment Agency's Wildlife Law and You booklet on the DAERA website.