Environmental Conservation Police on Patrol

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State's Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. In 1880, the first eight Game Protectors proudly began serving to protect the natural resources and people of New York State. In 2023, the Division of Law Enforcement fielded more than 101,500 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 30,932 complaints and working on cases that resulted in nearly 16,900 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.

"Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators serving in DEC's Division of Law Enforcement are working tirelessly across the state to protect natural resources and public safety while holding poachers and polluters accountable," DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. "DEC looks forward to continuing to work with our local, State, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure compliance with New York's stringent environmental conservation laws and promote the safe and responsible enjoyment of the outdoors."  

Night Patrol - New York Harbor
On June 24, ECO Pansini of the Marine Enforcement Unit, along with ECOs Rappold and Farner, conducted an overnight boat patrol throughout the New York Bight, an area between New York and New Jersey where the Hudson River enters the ocean. The New York side extends from New York City to Montauk Point on Long Island and features diverse maritime habitats, from beaches to estuaries. The bight also serves as an important seasonal aggregation area for many endangered species and features the Hudson Canyon, the largest undersea canyon on the east coast. The ECO patrol focused on both maritime fishing and navigation safety enforcement. Fortunately, no violations were observed during the patrol.

ECOs conduct overnight boat patrol in New York Harbor

Great Horned Owl Set Free - Greene County
On June 26, ECO Palmateer responded to a complaint about a great horned owl stuck in a soccer net at the Ararat Youth and Conference Center in the town of Greenville. Officer Palmateer arrived at the location and discovered the owl entangled in the net and struggling to free itself. Utilizing a pair of scissors, he cut the net from around the bird, removed it safely, and transported it to Friends of the Feathered and Furry Wildlife Center in the town of Hunter for a health evaluation. After about a week, the wildlife center informed ECO Palmateer that the owl was in good health and ready to be released. ECOs Palmateer and Smith brought the owl back to where it was originally rescued and released it back into its natural habitat. Video of the owl's release can be seen on DEC's YouTube Channel.

ECO Palmateer with a great horned owl rescued from a soccer net in Greene County

Bicycle Crash - Greene County
On June 27, ECO Smith responded to a Greene County 911 call for an unconscious bicyclist with a serious head injury after a crash on North Lake Road in the town of Hunter. Officer Smith arrived at the location and observed two off-duty DEC employees of the North-South Lake Campground tending to the injured cyclist. The patient sustained several abrasions and a large laceration to the head. ECO Smith assisted the DEC employees in caring for the head wound. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrived on scene, evaluated the patient, and transported him to an area hospital for further treatment. New York State Police, Greene County Sheriff's Office, and Town of Hunter Police Department also responded.

New York City Jet Ski Invasion - New York/Kings/Queens Counties
On June 29, Lieutenant Macropoulos and ECOs Broughton, Farner, Keegan, Rappold, and Swart assisted the U.S. Coast Guard with security patrols for the "New York City Jet Ski Invasion," an annual event drawing 600 to 800 jet-skiers who travel down the East River through New York Harbor and up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge. ECOs, the Coast Guard, and various other law enforcement agencies ensured safe passage for jet-skiers and all other vessels during the busy event.

Jet-skiers head south along the East River during the "New York City Jet Ski Invasion" event

Clams and 1,000 Crabs Seized in Jamaica Bay - Queens County
On the night of July 1 through the early morning hours of July 2, ECOs Milliron and Rappold joined New York State Park Police from Bayswater Point State Park in responding to numerous complaints of poaching in Norton Basin. The Officers encountered three crabbers in possession of nearly 1,000 crabs; 937 were undersized. The poachers also possessed 327 hard clams, which are prohibited for harvest in Jamaica Bay as all shellfish there are unfit for consumption. All undersized crabs and clams were safely returned to the water and those found in violation received tickets. Fortunately, most anglers checked by Officers during the patrol were fishing in compliance with New York's angler regulations.

Crabs and clams seized by ECOs during fishing compliance enforcement in Queens

Attempted Rideshare Getaway - Greene County
A routine fishing compliance check in Greene County ended with a man facing several charges. On July 2, ECOs Smith and Palmateer observed a man and woman fishing along Catskill Creek in the town of Durham. The Officers ticketed the woman for failing to possess a valid New York State fishing license. The man did not have identification but provided a name and date of birth that came back to an active fishing license. ECOs attempting to confirm the male angler's identity ran the license plate on a motorcycle in the parking lot and learned the plate was reported stolen to the Schodack Police Department and did not match the type of motorcycle at the location.

ECOs contacted Schodack Police who reported a male subject matching the description of the fisherman recently fled from police during a pursuit. They also informed ECOs that the same individual violated the terms of his probation and had active bench warrants out of the towns of Schodack and East Greenbush.

ECOs Smith and Palmateer returned to the creek to investigate further and discovered the subject fled on foot. They requested assistance from a Greene County Sheriff's K-9 unit which responded immediately and helped the ECOs track the man through the woods to a waiting vehicle. The subject apparently ordered a rideshare for transportation out of the area.

ECOs took the subject into custody, transported him to the New York State Police barracks in Greenville, and charged him with two counts of bail jumping, one count of criminal impersonation, one count of obstructing governmental administration, and fishing without a freshwater fishing license.

Officers seized the motorcycle as evidence and turned the subject over to Schodack Police pursuant to his outstanding warrants. ECOs were assisted by the New York State Police, Greene County Sheriff's Office, and the town of Durham Police Department.

Intentional Killing of Timber Rattlesnake - Delaware County
On July 4, ECOs Doig and Osborne received an anonymous tip that a subject intentionally killed a timber rattlesnake in the town of Hancock. The Officers gathered additional information and discovered the subject also skinned and butchered the snake with a plan to eat it.

A few days later, on July 7, ECO Osborne interviewed the subject and recovered the remains of a three-foot timber rattlesnake killed by a BB gun on the fourth of July. The Officer confiscated the remains and ticketed the individual for unlawfully killing protected wildlife.

Timber rattlesnakes are venomous pit vipers, native to New York State. They are considered a threatened species and are protected by State law. Timber rattlesnakes seldom display aggression unless defending themselves. The public is reminded to leave the snakes alone and observe from a safe distance.

Timber rattlesnake illegally killed and skinned in Delaware County

Independence Day Fireworks - Hudson River
On July 4, ECOs in New York City once again assisted with security at the Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks display. DEC's Division of Law Enforcement sent one vessel piloted by ECO Broughton and crewed by ECO Ableson and Lieutenant Levanway, and another piloted by ECO Kortz and crewed by Officer Rappold to help ensure the safety of spectators. Both vessels also had members of the U.S. Coast Guard and FBI on board. In addition to preventing any boats from entering a safety perimeter, the Coast Guard and FBI personnel enforced a temporary flight restriction to keep drones from creating a safety hazard, either accidentally or intentionally.

ECOs provide security during annual Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks display in New York City

Inclusive Fishing Event - Onondaga County
On July 9, DEC hosted a lean-to-fishing event for all ages and abilities at Onondaga Lake Park in Salina, Geddes, and Syracuse. The family-friendly event designed to help guests explore the world of fishing, included adaptive tools for beginners. ECOs Thomas and Prentice attended the event, which was held at the new accessible fishing jetty in the Willow Bay section of the park. Several families attended the event and caught some fish in the process.

Young anglers participate in family-friendly fishing event in Onondaga County

Vessel in Distress - Atlantic Ocean
On July 8, ECOs Broughton, Milliron, and Rappold responded to a distress call made to the U.S. Coast Guard while conducting marine fishing enforcement on the Atlantic Ocean. A recreational vessel struck a submerged log about a mile off the coast of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and began taking on water. The nearby ECOs were the first to arrive at the location. They assessed the situation and determined that the recreational vessel's bilge pumps, which remove water from the hull, was able to sustain the incoming water. ECOs escorted the vessel back to a nearby marina in New Jersey and all six people on board made it safely back to land.

ECOs assist a vessel in distress on the Atlantic Ocean

ECO Exam - Apply Today
Do you or someone you know want to become an Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO)?

The application period is now open for New York State's entry-level law enforcement civil service exam. The exam is for interested, qualified applicants seeking positions with DEC, the Office of State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the State University of New York.

Qualified candidates can apply online until 11:59 p.m. EST on Aug. 14, 2024, to take the exam. There is no cost to take the exam as all state exam application fees are waived through December 2025. The exam is scheduled for Sept. 28.

To contact an ECO to report an environmental crime or to report an incident, call 1-844-DEC-ECOS for 24-hour dispatch or email (for non-urgent violations).

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.