New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police

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]

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police
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
New York map showing DEC regions
Legal jurisdictionNew York
Constituting instrument
  • Chapter 591 of the Laws of 1880
General nature
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Environment, parks, and-or heritage property.
Operational structure
HeadquartersAlbany, New York
Environmental Conservation Officers330
Agency executive
  • Bernard Rivers, Director
Parent agencyNew York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Website
Division of Law Enforcement

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 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 his or her 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]

Officer Date of Death Details
Conservation Officer William Becker
March 11, 1981
 Drowning
Game Protector Benning De La Mater
June 24, 1961
 Drowning
Game Protector Clarence J. Webster
November 16, 1944
 Automobile Accident
Game Protector Paul J. De Cuennois
October 16, 1932
 Drowning
Game Protector William T. Cramer
September 22, 1929
 Gunfire
Game Protector Harvey B. Cruikshank
June 8, 1926
 Weather/Natural Disaster
Game Protector John H. Woodruff
November 27, 1919
 Assault
Deputy Game Protector Frederick T. Schmidt
November 10, 1919
 Gunfire
Game Protector Samuel S. Taylor
April 6, 1914
 Gunfire
Special Game Protector William H. Jackson
September 17, 1897
 Assault

See also

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


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