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 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.

"DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators protect New York's air, water, wildlife, and public safety, while also working to connect New Yorkers with the outdoors," Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. "As we tackle environmental threats on all fronts, I applaud the critical work DEC's ECOs and Investigators are undertaking to enforce New York's Environmental Conservation Law and ensure a cleaner, greener, safer, and more resilient New York State."  

Heavy-Duty Trouble - Bronx County
On April 4, ECO Bieber pulled over a Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicle (HDDV) in the Bronx that raised emissions suspicions. Heavy-duty trucks registered in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland counties must pass a diesel emissions inspection each year to comply with New York State air quality regulations. During the traffic stop, Officer Bieber saw that the truck had not been inspected as required and that the operator of the vehicle had a suspended license. The ECO issued two tickets to the owner of the truck for failing to get it inspected and arrested the driver for aggravated unlicensed operation in the first degree, a class E felony. ECOs Barrett and Noble assisted with the arrest and processing.

Injured Hawk - Bronx County
On April 22, a red-tailed hawk, reported injured in the Bronx and rescued by ECOs, was set free after making a full recovery.

On Feb. 28, ECOs Ableson and Baldwin responded to reports of an injured hawk behind The Children's Learning Center. The bird was able to walk slowly but had trouble flying. The ECOs safely captured the hawk with a net, placed it in a blanket, and transported it to the Wild Bird Fund rehabilitation center in Manhattan.

A week later, the hawk was transported to The Raptor Trust, a bird rehabilitation and education center in New Jersey, for further treatment. DEC recently learned the male bird was set free from the facility after several weeks of rehab and a normal x-ray.

ECO Baldwin with red-tailed hawk discovered injured in the Bronx on Feb. 28

Youth Turkey Hunt - Oswego County
On the weekend of April 26 and 27, ECOs and volunteer mentors assisted three youth hunters during the second annual Oswego County Youth Turkey Hunt in West Monroe. The young hunters headed afield in pursuit of the eastern wild turkey and all three were successful despite rainy weather conditions. The New York Conservation Officers Association (NYCOA), National Wild Turkey Federation, North Sportsman's Club, local businesses, and property owners who offered their land for the hunt also graciously assisted.

Left to Right: Carter Rhode, Cyrus Vrooman, and Hoyt Dorrett participate in 2^nd Annual Youth Turkey Hunt in Oswego County

Cops N' Bobbers - Ulster County
On April 26, ECOs Chomicki and Radomski assisted the Town of Loyd Police Department with its fourth annual "Cops N' Bobbers Youth Fishing Tournament" organized by the Police Benevolent Association of New York State. Approximately 500 brown, brook, golden, and rainbow trout were stocked days before the tournament, which had decent attendance despite the rainy forecast. ECO Radomski's wife, Samantha, sons Gunner and Reed, and nephew Jonathan were among the attendees.

ECO Radomski attends Cops N' Bobbers youth fishing event with Samantha and Gunner

Sick Bear - Fulton County
On April 28, ECOs and DEC Division of Wildlife employees responded to reports of a sick bear in the village of Northville. DEC personnel observed the adult female bear appearing to suffer from advanced mange that caused severe weight and hair loss. Due to the bear's poor physical condition, DEC experts determined rehabilitation and release were unlikely and humanely euthanized the animal.

DEC reminds New Yorkers that throughout the spring and early summer months, black bears have depleted fat reserves and will search extensively for easily obtainable, calorie-dense foods, which can lead to an increase in the potential for human-bear conflicts near homes and residential areas, especially before the spring green-up when natural food sources for bears are scarce. DEC advises New Yorkers to reduce the potential for human-bear conflicts to protect bears and themselves by practicing the BearWise basics, which includes securing or storing garbage and recycling cans in a sturdy building, cleaning and removing residual grease and food from grills and smokers, and keeping pets and livestock food indoors.

Earth Week 2025 Patrols and Enforcement
ECOs marked Earth Week 2025 (April 21-25) with stepped up patrols, enforcement, and education in every corner of the state focused on a variety of environmental regulations:

Boat Speed Enforcement - New York City/Long Island

• ECOs in New York City and Long Island conducted separate details enforcing North Atlantic right whale speed zones in the New York Bight and Jones Inlet. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) assisted with the Long Island detail. Officers monitored boat speeds to help protect North Atlantic right whales, which are currently on the endangered species list. Vessels colliding with whales can cause death or serious injuries to the animals. Under the law, vessels 65 feet or larger, traveling during the Mid Atlantic seasonal management area (Nov. 1 - April 30) must travel at 10 knots or less. To report any vessel strikes of sea mammals in the Northeast, contact (866) 755-NOAA (866-755-6622).

Pesticide Details - New York City/Long Island

• During Earth Week, ECOs in New York City and Long Island inspected pesticide applicators to ensure compliance with State rules and regulations. In Queens County, Officers partnered with DEC Pesticides specialists and inspected 20 contractors in one day. They issued a handful of tickets for offenses related to the application of pesticides. ECOs in New York City also partnered with regional DEC Petroleum Bulk Storage employees to inspect service stations in the Bronx and Manhattan. All documented bulk storage offenses are being handled administratively with DEC's Office of General Counsel.

  On Long Island, ECOs participated in their annual "Spring Fling," an expansive inspection of pesticide applicators to ensure the protection of Long Island sole-source aquifer.

  Long Island has the largest use of pesticides throughout the state. Officers partnered with employees from DEC's Bureau of Pesticides Management to inspect dozens of landscapers, lawn care companies, and pest control companies throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. They issued tickets for a variety of violations including possession of pesticides not in the original container, failure to register a pesticides business with New York State, and failure to maintain records. The misuse or mishandling of pesticide products can be harmful to groundwater, surface water, and air quality.

ECOs conduct pesticide enforcement detail in East Hampton, Suffolk County

Highway Cleanup - Erie County

• On April 19, ECOs Koepf, Machnica, Powers, and Scheer joined the Erie County Trappers Association for their 27^th Annual Adopt-A-Highway cleanup in Springville ahead of Earth Day. Volunteers of all ages braved high winds along a two-mile stretch of NY-39 and cleaned up enough garbage to fill 26 large garbage bags. The Adopt-A-Highway event was designed to demonstrate how New York residents who hunt, fish, and trap are some of the biggest stewards of our environment.

ECOs join Erie County Trappers Association for Adopt-A-Highway cleanup efforts

Earth Week Outreach

• On April 22, Investigator Eyler and ECO Radomski attended an Earth Day event at the Dover Plains Junior High School in Dutchess County. Students and faculty stopped by a DEC display to discuss environmental awareness, the illegal trade of exotic or endangered species, and the different types of enforcement cases ECOs encounter statewide. The Officers handed out prizes to students who could identify native furbearer species on display. Students also took pictures on the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) ECOs brought in for the Earth Day event.

ECO Radomski speaks to students at Earth Day event at Dover Plains Junior High School

• On April 22, ECO Smith presented at two assemblies to eager and inquisitive students at Wantagh Elementary School in the town of Hempstead, Nassau County. The students were most interested in the daily work of ECOs to protect New York State wildlife and their efforts to crack down on illegal dumping of items like tires and other solid waste. ECO Smith provided the young students with simple things they can do in their neighborhoods to be better stewards of the environment, including planting trees, recycling, and picking up litter. The school's Parent Teacher Association also hosted a nature walk at a nearby park later in the week, which was led by DEC employees.

ECO Smith presents to students at Wantagh Elementary School

• ECOs in the Buffalo area celebrated Earth Week with outreach events in Erie County. On April 23, Investigator Holzle presented to the Science Club at the Nativity Miguel Middle School of Buffalo. In addition to the everyday duties of an ECO, Investigator Holzle delved into the illegal endangered species trade and showed students endangered species products confiscated by ECOs during investigations. On April 24, Lieutenant Mathis, a DEC Unmanned Ariel Systems (UAS) Pilot, participated in "Bring Your Kids to Work Day" celebrations at the DEC Region 9 Office. Officer Mathis demonstrated the capabilities of his UAS and explained the benefits of advanced technology in investigating environmental crimes, from the illegal endangered species trade to solid waste dumping.

ECO Mathis shows off his UAS during "Bring Your Kids to Work Day" festivities in Buffalo

Dry Cleaner Inspection - Suffolk County

• On April 23, ECOs Dickson and Francis inspected several dry cleaners throughout Huntington and Babylon townships and encountered one facility with more than 11 violations, including failure to register with New York State and failure to possess applicable inspection records as required. The Officers issued a Notice of Violation to the dry cleaner for the violations.

Unsecured and uncovered waste discovered at dry cleaning facility in Suffolk County

Heavy-Duty Diesel Details - Statewide

• During Earth Week, ECOs across the state conducted patrols focused on Heavy-Duty Diesel Vehicles (HDDVs) to ensure compliance with New York's air quality regulations and emissions standards. In some instances, the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) partnered with Officers to inspect trucks for vehicle, traffic, and transportation law violations.

• In Orange, Rockland, and Sullivan counties, Lieutenant Bello and ECOs Boettcher, Falknegren, Heckler, and Steffen focused on the tampering of diesel exhaust systems, commonly known as "deleting," when sections of the federally required emissions system on a HDDV is intentionally removed, bypassed, or reprogrammed, causing high levels of diesel particulates to escape unlawfully through exhaust emissions. This detail resulted in 20 traffic stops and 13 tickets for charges including non-functioning emissions control apparatus and operating a vehicle without a proper emissions control device.

• In DEC Region 8, Lieutenant Fay and ECOs Johnston, Michalet, and Shea partnered with inspectors from DOT's Motor Carrier Safety Unit to inspect 50 vehicles at a DOT inspection site. ECOs issued 22 tickets, 17 for offenses related to hauling solid waste. DOT issued four vehicle and traffic tickets for equipment violations and one for an unlicensed driver.

ECO Cacciola inspects commercial vehicle during Earth Week patrols in Suffolk County

Statewide Fishing Compliance Checks - Cayuga/Nassau/Rockland/Queens Counties

Too early or out of slot size are common themes in this week's ECO fishing compliance checks:

• On April 13, ECOs Griffin and Ruffle responded to a complaint of anglers keeping multiple striped bass before the start of the season (April 15) at the Hempstead Shoreline Trail in Port Washington, Nassau County. Officers located the three anglers, found them in possession of nine striped bass, and ticketed each for taking fish out of season, returnable to Nassau County First District Court.

• On April 22, ECO Prentice checked a boat returning to the DEC Mud Lock boat launch on the north end of Cayuga Lake in Cayuga and observed 54 short crappie under 10 inches inside the boat. All three anglers on board admitted to catching the short fish and received tickets for taking undersized black crappie.

• On April 25, ECO Steffen conducted fishing compliance checks along the Hudson River in Rockland County and observed several anglers around 1 a.m., keeping striped bass outside allowable size limits. Officers issued 13 tickets after discovering eight illegally caught fish. The charges included taking fish contrary to DEC regulations, fishing without a license, and failure to carry marine registry. Striped bass have both a minimum and maximum size for possession. Only fish between 28 - 31 inches may be possessed in marine waters and striped bass caught north of the George Washington Bridge must be between 23 - 28 inches. For more information on recreational marine fishing regulations, visit the DEC website.

• On April 28, ECOs in Queens County ticketed anglers for taking striped bass outside the legal size limit. Officers Bieber and Toomey issued a total of five tickets to two anglers in the Far Rockaway for possessing eight striped bass outside the legal size limit, all returnable to Queens Criminal Court. Meanwhile, ECOs Baldwin and Nolan ticketed one angler in Littleneck Bay for taking undersized and over the possession limit of striped bass. Striped bass have both a minimum and maximum size for possession. Only fish between 28 - 31 inches may be possessed in marine waters and striped bass caught north of the George Washington Bridge must be between 23 - 28 inches. For more information on recreational marine fishing regulations, visit the DEC website.

• In DEC Region 7, ECOs worked a walleye detail for the month of April leading up to the May 1 opening of walleye season. Officers conducted late-night patrols along the Oneida Lake shoreline and its closed tributaries and issued 10 tickets for taking walleye out of season, seven tickets for fishing without a license, and four for fishing in closed waters.

Undersized crappie confiscated from anglers in Cayuga County

ECO Nolan with illegally caught striped bass in Queens County

Walleye confiscated during April detail in DEC Region 7

Remembering Lieutenant David McShane - Albany
On May 6, New York State recognized a fallen hero as retired Environmental Conservation Police Lieutenant David J. McShane was among the names added to the New York State Police Memorial Remembrance wall in Albany. Lieutenant McShane joined DEC's Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) in 1999 and served with the police force for 22 years. He passed away last year from an illness related to his assignment at the World Trade Center following the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. McShane was assigned to New York City to assist in search and recovery efforts and stayed in that area for weeks amidst the dust, debris, and dangerous conditions to accomplish that mission. He joined many brave DEC employees who responded on 9/11 and the days and weeks that followed. DEC Acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton, Division of Law Enforcement Director Karen Przyklek, and many of Lieutenant McShane's brothers and sisters in uniform attended the remembrance ceremony to pay their respects to his life and legacy.

Lieutenant McShane joins Lieutenant Paul Adam, ECO Lawrence Cabana, Investigator Thomas Graham, and ECO Stephen Raymond, in being added to the memorial wall for paying the ultimate sacrifice. Lieutenant McShane's name will also be engraved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May 13, followed by a candlelight vigil.

Lieutenant McShane was described by those who knew him as an extraordinary law enforcement professional, passionate about protecting New Yorkers and our precious natural resources. He was also an animal lover and falconer in his spare time, caring for and training red-tailed hawks. Lieutenant McShane was from Marcellus, Onondaga County, and is survived by his wife, Angela, and their three children, Alyssa, Brielle, and Logan. He is also survived by his mother Patricia, and siblings, Theresa, Sharon, James, Edward, Jr., Mary Pat, and Peter, as well as many dear in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

DEC is grateful to all of Lieutenant McShane's family and friends for the support they provided to him throughout his DEC service, which helped cement a noble legacy that will live on forever.

DEC honors the life and legacy of fallen Division of Law Enforcement Lieutenant David McShane at New York State Police Memorial Ceremony in Albany - In Center (Front Left to Right) Acting DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton, Angela McShane (wife of Lt. McShane), DLE Director Karen Przyklek, Patricia McShane (mother of Lt. McShane), Logan McShane (son of Lt. McShane), and Mary Pat Hoag (sister of Lt. McShane)

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).