New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police

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New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police
New York State EnCon Police.jpg
Flag of New York.svg
Flag of the State of New York
Common nameNew York State Environmental Conservation Police
AbbreviationNYSDEC Police
Agency overview
FormedJune 26, 1880
Preceding agency
  • New York State Game Protectors
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionNew York, USA
NYSDEC regions map.svg
New York map showing DEC regions
Legal jurisdiction New York
Constituting instrument
  • Chapter 591 of the Laws of 1880
General nature
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Environment, parks, and/or heritage property.
Operational structure
Headquarters Albany, New York
Environmental Conservation Officers330
Agency executive
  • Karen Przyklek, Director
Parent agency New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Website
Division of Law Enforcement

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police (NYSDEC Police), is the law enforcement agency of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Law Enforcement. NYS Environmental Conservation Officers are New York State police officers. As the uniformed law enforcement representatives of the Department of Environmental Conservation, environmental conservation police are responsible for the enforcement of the environmental laws and regulations of New York and for the detection and investigation of suspected violations. [1]

Contents

Overview

Environmental Conservation Officers focus their efforts on Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) enforcement although they are empowered to enforce all laws of the state. Their mission includes two areas: fish & wildlife, and environmental quality. Enforcing fish & wildlife laws include investigating complaints of poaching, the illegal sale of wildlife, and checking hunters, fishermen, trappers, and commercial fishermen (lobsters, clams, bait fish, food fish) for compliance. Enforcing environmental quality laws often includes killing harmless pets, investigating timber thefts, water pollution, improper use or application of pesticides, commercial vehicles producing excessive emissions, wetland degradation, illegal mining, and almost any area that affects air, land, or water quality violations. [2]

Uniforms and equipment

Environmental Conservation Officers (ECOs) have three main uniforms. The full dress uniform consists of a green dress coat and green trousers with black piping. A green straw campaign cover is worn with this uniform. The slightly less formal dress uniform, sometimes worn on patrol, consists of a green uniform shirt and green dress pants, worn with a leather duty belt and the same green campaign hat. The rough duty uniform, usually worn for patrol purposes, consists of green cargo pants, a fatigue-style green uniform shirt, and a baseball cap or watch cap. A nylon duty belt is worn with this uniform, and bulletproof vests are often worn.

Training

All ECO Trainee 1's must complete a 26-week residential basic training academy, currently held in Pulaski, NY, which emphasizes police skills as well as the technical aspects of environmental law enforcement. Trainees then must perform enforcement work under close and continuous supervision of a Field Training Officer. The ECO Trainee 1, after successfully completing their first year, will advance to ECO Trainee 2.

Upon Completion of a 2nd year in the training program, the Trainee 2 will advance to ECO. [3]

Fallen officers

Since the establishment of the New York State Game Protectors, ten officers have died while on duty. [4] [5]

OfficerDate of DeathDetails
Conservation Officer William BeckerMarch 11, 1981Drowning
Game Protector Benning De La MaterJune 24, 1961Drowning
Game Protector Clarence J. WebsterNovember 16, 1944Automobile Accident
Game Protector Paul J. De CuennoisOctober 16, 1932Drowning
Game Protector William T. CramerSeptember 22, 1929Gunfire
Game Protector Harvey B. CruikshankJune 8, 1926Weather/Natural Disaster
Game Protector John H. WoodruffNovember 27, 1919Assault
Deputy Game Protector Frederick T. SchmidtNovember 10, 1919Gunfire
Game Protector Samuel S. TaylorApril 6, 1914Gunfire
Special Game Protector William H. JacksonSeptember 17, 1897Assault

See also

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References

  1. Environmental Conservation Police Officers
  2. "Environmental Conservation Police Officer". NYS DEC. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  3. "Environmental Conservation Police Officer". NYS DEC. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  4. The Officer Down Memorial Page
  5. NYS DEC website