Virginia is sending 21 conservation police officers to Louisiana in response to Hurricane Ike, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced yesterday.

The officers from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries were scheduled to deploy yesterday to Jennings, La., west of Baton Rouge, to provide maritime law-enforcement support.

Kaine activated the Emergency Management Assistance Compact and authorization for the deployment.

"We are always ready to help other states in these types of emergencies," Kaine said. "We will share our resources and help in any way we can."

The officers, who volunteered for the assignment, are expected to be in Louisiana until Sept. 22.