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 2024, the Division of Law Enforcement fielded more than 105,717 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 30,109 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 15,755 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.
“Whether solving environmental crimes, safeguarding New York’s natural resources and wildlife, or connecting with communities and inspiring the next generation of conservationists, Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators have an historic legacy of protecting New York’s air, land, water, and public safety every day and in every corner of the state,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “I am proud of their tireless efforts to enforce New York’s stringent Environmental Conservation Law by holding polluters accountable and promoting the safe, sustainable, and responsible use of the great outdoors, and encourage all New Yorkers interested in joining our ranks to learn how to become the next Environmental Conservation Police Officers.”
No Hunting Allowed – Suffolk County
On Jan. 20, ECOs DeRose and Francis responded to a call from a complainant who reported two subjects had harvested a deer at Southaven County Park in Yaphank where deer hunting is prohibited. The Officers observed footprints and fresh blood near tire tracks where the suspected vehicle had reportedly parked.
The next day, ECOs DeRose, Francis, Paschke, Perkins, and two Suffolk County Park Rangers followed the footprints through the park and found evidence consistent with an animal being killed. Officers DeRose and Francis conducted interviews of two subjects identified during the investigation. The first subject admitted to carrying a bow in the park and failing to have a hunting license and the second subject admitted to shooting the deer in the park. DEC issued Notices of Violation for trespassing, unlawful take of deer, hunting without a license, and additional charges for hunting in a park closed to deer hunting.
Allegedly Ridin’ Dirty – Nassau County
On Jan. 27, ECOs Franz, Kochanowski, and Pabes partnered with the Port Washington Police Department’s Motor Safety Unit for an inspection detail focused on heavy-duty diesel vehicles. Officers pulled over a truck spilling waste into the roadway and escorted the vehicle safely off the road for inspection. The driver advised he was hauling excavated fill to a nearby building materials supplier.
ECOs, along with staff from DEC’s Division of Materials Management, determined the truck hauling the load contained solid waste not authorized for transport or acceptance. Officers Franz, Kochanowski, and Pabes also visited the facility on West Shore Road in Port Washington, searched the property, and observed mounds of unclean fill, along with processing machinery.
The Port Washington Motor Safety Unit issued the transporter 14 Department of Transportation violations and ECOs issued several tickets, including the release of a noisome substance on a highway (unclassified misdemeanor), illegal transport of uncovered solid waste, transport of waste without required registration, and failure to display a registration number and transporter name as required. Fines range from $6,000 to $60,000 and all tickets are returnable to Nassau County First District Court.
The owner of the building materials supplier faces $3,000 to $30,000 in fines and received two Notices of Violation for operating a solid waste facility without a permit or registration and the unlawful acceptance of solid waste, both returnable to DEC.
Animal Abuse Investigation – Jefferson County
On Jan. 30, Environmental Crimes Investigator Jackson responded to a call from a concerned resident who reported finding the carcass of an animal believed to be a coyote near Skinner Road in the town of Ellisburg. Investigator Jackson arrived at the location and determined it was a domestic dog that had been shot from the roadway. The next day, while following up with neighbors in the area, Investigator Jackson observed a small black and white puppy wandering near the area where the deceased dog was found. An investigation led Officers to the owner of both dogs and determined that the subject had been traveling through Jefferson County to either abandon the dogs or leave them with a friend when the larger of the two dogs jumped into his lap, causing him to crash his vehicle into a guard rail. Investigators say the subject then allegedly shot and killed the larger dog out of anger. The subject was arrested and charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle (misdemeanor), discharging a firearm over a public highway (misdemeanor), abandonment of animals (misdemeanor), and aggravated animal cruelty (felony). He was arraigned in Jefferson County Criminal Appearance Court and is being held in the Jefferson County Jail until a future court date in March. Investigator Jackson managed to rescue the puppy found wandering in the area, and safely transported it to Jefferson County Animal Control office for a check-up and eventual rehoming.
Investigator Jackson with puppy found in Jefferson County
Puppy rescued from roadway in Jefferson County
Long Haul – Sullivan County
On Feb. 3, ECO Heckler and Lieutenant Bello observed a tractor trailer hauling what appeared to be dirt waste on Route 17 in the town of Bethel. The tractor trailer had a registration number displayed, which typically indicates a truck is hauling regulated waste, but the registration failed to note a company name or regulated waste haul number as required in New York State.
Officers followed the tractor trailer from a distance and observed it enter a previously registered solid waste management facility where it dumped its dirt load. While at the facility, ECOs observed a second tractor trailer tandem truck dumping similar fill material. The Officers investigated and determined both trucks were carrying dirt waste documented as restricted-use fill on their waste tracking documents. DEC’s Division of Materials Management and Office of General Counsel confirmed the Sullivan County facility was not, nor was it ever, permitted to accept restricted-use fill. ECOs ticketed both drivers and the transportation company for both trucks for failing to produce regulated waste registrations, failure to display regulated waste permit numbers on two sides of a trailer, and transporting waste to an unauthorized facility.
ECO Heckler explains violations to drivers hauling restricted-use fill unlawfully in Sullivan County
Great American Outdoor Show – Harrisburg, PA
In early February, Lieutenants Rigoli and Lochner, along with ECOs Grisolini and Scalisi, attended the 2025 Great American Outdoor Show at the Pennsylvania Farm Complex in Harrisburg, PA, the largest outdoor show in the world. The Officers are all members of the New York State DEC Police recruitment team and engaged thousands of attendees from across the U.S. The nine-day show annually draws more than 200,000 attendees to celebrate traditional outdoor activities including hunting, fishing, camping, and boating and provides ECOs with an opportunity to inform the public about the DEC Division of Law Enforcement’s crucial role in protecting New York’s public health and natural resources. For more information on becoming an ECO, visit the DEC website.
ECO Scalisi (left) and Lieutenant Lochner (right) speak to attendees at the 2025 Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA
ECOs Visit Our Lady of the Hamptons – Suffolk County
On Feb. 5, ECOs Dickerson, Maxwell, McGhee, and Zullo spoke to third through fifth grade classes at Our Lady of the Hamptons school in Southampton. The students recently learned about the different habitat types and biodiversity on Long Island. ECOs discussed various animal species found on Long Island and the importance of protecting natural resources for future generations. The students participated enthusiastically and demonstrated their best renditions of a turkey call during a “gobble-off.” The presentation concluded with ECOs Dickerson and Maxwell demonstrating a few drills learned during training at ECO Basic School, with a special student commander shouting the calls.
ECOs visit elementary school students at Our Lady of the Hamptons school in Suffolk County
Joint Ice fishing Detail – Oneida Lake
On Feb. 8, ECOs in two DEC regions teamed up to conduct ice fishing compliance checks on Oneida Lake in Oneida and Oswego counties. Region 6 ECOs Starczek and Lakeman joined Region 7 ECOs Grisolini, Burdick, Prentice, Plows, Wing, Kostuk, and Bonilla in checking hundreds of anglers for compliance with New York’s fishing regulations. Officers checked for fishing licenses, catch size and limits, and compliance with New York State recreational vehicle laws.
ECOs issued 32 tickets and four written warnings for fishing without a license, catching undersized walleye, unregistered and uninsured snowmobiles, unregistered All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), and failure to wear approved helmets. For more information on ice fishing rules and regulations in New York, as well as important safety information, visit the DEC website.
Ice fishing shanties spread out across Oneida Lake
Undersized walleye seized during joint ice fishing detail on Oneida Lake
Youth Ice Fishing Derby – Ulster County
On Feb. 8, ECOs Falkengren, Frano, Heckler, and Walraven attended a Youth Fishing Derby in Woodstock. The derby was organized by the Wittenberg Sportsmen’s Club and drew approximately 70 children and parents/guardians who learned about ice fishing safety and techniques for fishing success before getting an opportunity to give ice fishing a try. ECOs assisted participants and stressed the importance of checking ice thickness before venturing out onto the ice and the general benefits that come along with outdoor recreation. Officers also spoke to attendees about their roles as protectors of New York’s natural resources. For more information on ice fishing safety, visit the DEC website.
ECOs attend Youth Ice Fishing Derby in Ulster County
ATV Enforcement – Nassau County
On Feb. 9, ECOs Dickson and Seabury patrolled areas surrounding Bethpage State Park to help prevent unlawful All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) users on biking and running trails. Two ATV operators attempted to cross a main road during the patrol, which led them directly into the path of the ECOs. Both operators attempted to flee once they saw the Officers, but ECOs caught up to one of them, interviewed the subject, and checked the ATV he was riding. Officers determined the ATV had no license plates, registration, or insurance. Officers charged the operator under New York State Park regulations for unreasonable operation in a State Park, and offenses under the vehicle and traffic law for failure to display plates on an ATV and unlawful operation on public lands.
ECOs inspect ATV stopped during enforcement detail in Nassau County
Ice Fishing Fun – Washington County
On Feb. 15, ECOs Dewey, Thibodeau, and Krug, Investigator Goodrich, and Lieutenant Gonyeau participated in two outreach events focused on ice fishing safety. More than 100 people attended the events held during DEC’s first Free Fishing Weekend of 2025. ECOs at Sly Pond assisted Boy Scouts and their chaperones at Camp Wakpominee in the town of Fort Ann while Lieutenant Gonyeau organized a successful youth and adult ice fishing event at DEC’s Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in the town of Greenwich. The Washington County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs provided ice fishing equipment and bait to the public for the event. Attendees learned how to jig and use tip-up techniques to catch fish and many of the anglers were successful. For more information on ice fishing safety, visit the DEC website.
ECO Thibodeau assists Boy Scout with removing a fish from a hook during ice fishing event in Washington County
Lieutenant Gonyeau speaks to attendees at DEC ice fishing event at Carters Pond WMA in Washington County
Deer Dilemma – Nassau County
On Feb. 15, ECOs Brussell and Francis responded to reports of two deer struck in brush in the hamlet of Glen Head, town of Oyster Bay. The Officers arrived at the location and observed the deer locked together by their antlers and entangled in brambles and pink string. ECOs worked quickly to cut through the vegetation and string to successfully free the deer.
Deer locked together by antlers and entangled in brush and pink string in Nassau County
Joint Snowmobile Patrol – Niagara County
On Feb. 18, ECOs Powers and Scheer partnered with the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office for a snowmobile compliance detail. Officers patrolled along snowmobile trails in the towns of Cambria, Lewiston, Wheatfield, and Lockport. The Officers checked riders for compliance with New York State Snowmobile and Vehicle and Traffic Law, including required registration and safety equipment; most riders were in full compliance. Law enforcement issued one ticket to a rider for operating an unregistered snowmobile, returnable to the Town of Lockport Court.
ECO Powers speaks to snowmobile rider during a compliance check in Niagara County
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).
