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 the first half of 2025, DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement fielded an estimated 45,000 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) and Investigators across the state responding to more than 18,934 complaints and working on cases that resulted in 9,440 tickets or arrests for violations ranging from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the illegal pet trade, and excessive emissions violations.

In 2024, the Division fielded more than 105,717 calls, resulting in 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.

“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,” DEC 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.”

Hidden Fish – New York County

On November 20, ECOs observed several anglers in Lower Manhattan unlawfully keeping and hiding numerous undersized fish in locations around Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park. Two undercover ECOs patrolling the area kept careful tabs on where the anglers were hiding the fish, then led ECOs Noble and Toomey, who were both staged nearby in uniform, to the hidden fish. ECOs issued six tickets to anglers for keeping undersized fish, along with other violations.  

ECOs locate fish caught unlawfully and hidden in New York County (photo attached) 

Criminal Justice Outreach – Manhattan

On November 21, ECO Ableson joined New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Police in speaking with students at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan. Officer Ableson explained to students his role as an ECO and the unique environmental justice opportunities he encounters as a law enforcement professional with DEC. The students also received hands-on experience with some illicit wildlife articles confiscated during past ECO operations. Officer Ableson reiterated the commitment DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement has made to combatting the illegal wildlife trade in New York City and noted the impact those crimes have on poaching overseas.  

To learn more about the responsibilities of an ECO in New York State and to be notified about upcoming exams, visit the DEC website.   

Students interact with confiscated wildlife articles at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in Manhattan (photo attached)  

From left to right: ECO Ableson; State Park Ranger Bonacasa; John Jay Deputy Chairman Dr. Chris Morse; and State Park Police Officer Carcamo (photo attached)  

Tree Stand Fall – Washington County

On November 24, ECO Krug responded to a call that went out over Washington County Fire and EMS radio regarding a 29-year-old hunter who fell from his tree stand about a mile into a wooded area in the Town of Salem. The individual, who was not wearing a safety harness at the time, fell approximately 12–15 feet to the ground when his tree stand gave way. Personnel from the Salem Fire Department had the victim in a neck brace and prepared for transport out of the woods when Officer Krug arrived, but they had difficulty getting a utility terrain vehicle to the location due to the hilly and wooded terrain. ECO Krug directed the packaging of the injured hunter in a litter and assisted with carrying the individual about a half mile out of the woods to a landing zone where he was airlifted to Burlington Medical Center for treatment. For more information on hunter safety, visit the DEC website.  

Hunter Harassment – Suffolk County

On November 30, ECOs Berketis and Ruffle responded to a call from Suffolk County Police about two waterfowl hunters being harassed at a DEC property in the Town of Brookhaven. ECOs arrived at the location, met with Suffolk County Police, conducted a waterfowl hunting compliance check on the hunters, and observed no violations. The hunters also showed ECOs a video of the individual in question yelling at them and throwing their decoys. While interviewing the hunters, the individual in the video returned to the location and began yelling about his displeasure with hunting. ECOs issued two tickets to the subject for interfering with the lawful taking of fish or game and failure to obey a DEC sign, both returnable to Suffolk County First District Court. 

It is illegal to interfere with the lawful taking of fish or game in New York State. 

ECOs ticket an individual for interfering with the lawful taking of fish or game in Suffolk County (photo attached)  

Puppy Ice Water Rescue – Oneida County

On December 3, Oneida County Sheriffs requested assistance for an ice water rescue of a 10-month-old Great Pyrenees trapped in the middle of a pond off Fairchild Road in the Town of Remsen. ECO Gates, a member of DEC’s Flood Incident Response Team, and the Barneveld Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team responded to the location to assist. Officer Gates, along with a member of the Holland Patent Fire Department and a member of the Barneveld Fire Department, broke through the ice utilizing a boat and webbing. They also carried a piece of sharp cheddar cheese to help retrieve the dog, named Archie. They successfully rescued the dog after a few attempts and reunited him with his owner without incident. The Remsen Fire Department assisted with securing the scene and with traffic control. 

ECO Gates assists with ice water rescue of puppy in Oneida County (photo attached)  

Deer Poaching Leads to Felony Arrest – Washington County

On December 4, ECO Krug arrested and charged a 20-year-old man in connection with the illegal take of an antlerless deer in Washington County after a weeks-long investigation. 

On November 16, Officer Krug received a call from a hunter who reported hearing a shot and locating a deceased antlerless deer in a field where he and his son were hunting in the Town of Greenwich. The complainant stated that no one else had permission to hunt on the property and that he and his son were unable to locate the shooter. ECO Krug arrived at the location and watched the deer for several hours without anyone retrieving it. The next day, the deer was gone. Officer Krug tracked the animal back to a residence in Greenwich and conducted interviews with several members of the same family over a two-week period, including one subject who originally stated the deer was roadkill that he picked up. Additionally, ECO Krug confiscated a rifle from the residence believed to be used to illegally harvest the deer. 

Officer Krug later located the prime subject in Fort Edward and charged him with felony criminal contempt, criminal possession of a weapon, submitting a false written statement, and child endangerment, along with multiple violations of the ECL, including the illegal take of an antlerless deer and hunting without a license. All charges are pending in the Town of Greenwich court. The deer was donated to a venison donation program. 

Abandoned Pup – Bronx County

On December 6, ECOs Ableson and Toomey were performed marine fishing compliance patrols when they were alerted by a New York City Park Ranger about a stray dog without tags on Orchard Beach in Bronx County. Officers Ableson and Toomey, along with New York City Park Ranger Sergeant Tainow and New York City Parks Enforcement Patrol Officers Tovar and Capellan managed to get the dog on a leash and transport it to the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which confirmed the animal was not microchipped and likely abandoned. ECO Toomey contacted petRescue, a volunteer-based no-kill pet rescue in the Town of Harrison, Westchester County, that was willing to take the dog in and hopefully find him a loving home. The dog is currently available for adoption under the name “Hooch.” 

ECO Toomey with apparent abandoned dog found on Orchard Beach in Bronx County (photo attached) 

ECO Toomey prepares transport at Orchard Beach in Bronx County for a potentially abandoned dog (photo attached) 

Shop with a Cop – Niagara County

On December 6, Lieutenant Ver Hague participated in a “Shop with a Cop” event organized by the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office. The annual event paired children with local law enforcement who transported them in police vehicles to a local retailer in Lockport to shop for holiday gifts for themselves and their families. The children and Officers were then treated to lunch after they were done shopping. The New York Conservation Officers Association assisted with a donation to help purchase gifts for the youth.   

Lieutenant Ver Hague, Santa, a youth shopper, and a member of the Niagara County Sherrif’s Office during “Shop with a Cop” event in Niagara County (photo attached)  

Holiday Outreach – Jefferson County

On December 6, ECOs McFee and Schneider participated in the 22nd annual Shop with a Cop event in Jefferson County. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department partnered with businesses and local community members to host the shopping celebration. After shopping, the participating kids, with Officers in tow, made their way to another retail store where they met Santa and received new winter jackets before enjoying a pizza party. In total, 62 local children spent almost $16,000 on presents thanks to the generous donations of sponsors.   

ECO McFee attends “Shop with a Cop” event in Jefferson County (photo attached)  

ECO Schneider attends “Shop with a Cop” event in Jefferson County (photo attached)  

Marsh Mishap – Suffolk County

On December 9, ECO Anderson responded to reports of work being done in a tidal wetland in Blue Point. Officer Anderson arrived at the location and observed vegetation was removed, fill was brought in, and a motor vehicle was operating on the property. She confirmed there was a valid permit for work in the tidal wetland as required by law, but discovered the work being done was outside the scope of the permit. ECO Anderson issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to the permittee and ordered the contractor to cease all work until the issues are resolved. As part of the NOV, the permittee is required to set up a meeting with DEC’s Bureau of Marine Habitat Protection to review the permit violations and correct them without harming the marshland. Tidal wetlands are exclusive habitats that provide shelter and food for animals as well as vital nutrients to the marine environment. These marshlands also help prevent flooding in populated areas by acting as a buffer, especially during storms. New York State recognizes the importance of these unique environments and seeks to protect them against damage often caused by human activities and lack of knowledge. For more information on New York State’s tidal wetlands and State laws protecting them, visit the DEC website.   

ECO investigates work in a tidal wetland in Suffolk County (photo attached)  

Reptile Removal – Westchester County

On December 10, ECO Franz received a report regarding an individual in possession of reptiles in the City of Yonkers without a license or permit. The animals, a juvenile crocodile and dwarf caiman, were discovered by City of Yonkers Police Officers while conducting an arrest for unrelated charges. The reptiles were placed in a properly licensed facility and ECOs issued multiple tickets to the individual for illegally possessing reptiles without the required permits.  

ECO Franz with juvenile crocodile and dwarf caiman removed from a residence in Westchester County (photo attached)