Environmental Conservation Police Officer

The first step toward becoming an ECO is successfully passing the Civil Service exam. The NYS Department of Civil Service holds the exam on a recurring basis, typically every two to four years. The next exam will be given on September 28, 2024. The application deadline for the exam has passed.

Candidates must meet basic educational requirements to qualify for the exam. They include either a bachelor’s or higher-level degree, or an associate degree and one additional year of qualifying experience. There is no age requirement to sit for the exam; however, candidates must be at least 21 years old at the time of appointment. There is no maximum age limit for hiring. Check out the Civil Service website for more information on hiring requirements and qualifying experience, and to be notified of exam announcements. 

Physical Ability Test (PAT) 

Upon passing the Civil Service exam, qualified candidates will be invited to participate in standardized physical ability testing consisting of timed sit-ups, untimed pushups, a timed 1.5-mile run, and an untimed 100-yard swim. Candidates must meet a minimum standard to proceed to the next phase in the hiring process. Learn more about the physical ability exams by viewing clips on how to conduct the one-minute sit-up, push-ups, and 1.5 mile timed run. The swim is a continuous 100-yards of any stroke (four laps). Candidates will be informed of the fitness standards they are required to meet when they are invited to participate in the PAT.  

Background Investigation and Medical Examination 

Candidates who successfully pass the PAT will undergo a rigorous background investigation, followed by psychological and medical exams.  

The background investigation is very thorough and can take several weeks to complete. The psychological exam is given to all candidates at one time and will be administered by a licensed psychologist. Candidates complete this exam at their own pace with an average completion time of approximately five hours. The medical exam is administered by a practitioner from NY State Employee Health Services. 

Interview Board 

The interview board is conducted in one or two locations across the state and allows for the candidates to be interviewed by command officers in the Division of Law Enforcement. 

These phases take several months to complete and applicants who successfully complete all aspects will be eligible for placement in the next Basic School for Uniformed Officers. 

Recruit Officers attend the Basic School for Uniformed Officers at the NYSDEC Division of Law Enforcement Training Academy, located in Pulaski, Oswego County. The Basic School is a 29-week residential paramilitary training program. The recruit officers report to the Training Academy each Sunday and are dismissed each Friday evening over the course of the training program.  

Recruits are immersed in training ranging from conventional areas of law enforcement such as Criminal Procedure Law, Penal Law, and Vehicle and Traffic Law, to specialized courses in Environmental Conservation Law, wildlife identification, and wildlife forensics. They also engage in physical training, defensive tactics, firearms training, and emergency vehicle operations training, among other courses. 

Marine Enforcement Unit 

The Marine Enforcement Unit is a full-time assignment in the Marine and Coastal District of NYS (DEC Regions 1 & 2). Members assigned to this unit spend most days aboard DLE vessels conducting enforcement operations in support of recreational and commercial fishing regulations, but also assist other DEC Divisions with their respective work as needed. This unit also has several maritime security roles it fulfills - ranging from participation in the Secure The Cities program to patrolling marine waters during the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.  

Special Operations Group 

The Special Operations Group (SOG) is a specially trained and equipped unit that responds to critical incidents in support of DLE, or partner agency, operations. SOG members train to operate in woodland, maritime, and hazardous material environments; places where traditional law enforcement are not often encountered.