Many people do not know what an Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police Officer is or what they do. Some people may recognize them by their old title of "Game Warden." Traditionally the Connecticut EnCon Police Officer has been charged with the responsibility of enforcing the State’s fish and game laws. As Connecticut has grown and changed, the role of the EnCon Officer in law enforcement has expanded. Duties now include the enforcement of the laws and regulations that concern boating, motor vehicle, criminal and public safety. Connecticut EnCon Police Officers now assist and act as back up for State and Municipal Police Departments in narcotics enforcement, domestic disputes, assaults and many other law enforcement functions and are the primary response units to assist the United States Coast Guard.

Fish and Game Enforcement

Connecticut EnCon Police Officers not only have the responsibility of enforcing Connecticut’s fish and game laws and regulations, but are also Deputy Special Agents of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service and as such may also enforce U.S. Federal Codes concerning the taking of fish and wildlife. Their duties in fish and game enforcement include a wide range of activities from checking sporting licenses to undercover assignments investigating suspected violations of fish and game law.

The purpose of enforcing fish and game laws is to ensure that the state’s wildlife and fish populations are not harvested in excess or illegally exploited for commercial gain. Excessive harvesting or exploitation of a species can lead to an overall decline of the species population or contribute to the extinction of a species. Through the enforcement of fish and game laws and regulations EnCon Police Officers help to maintain stable populations of fish and wildlife species for future generations to enjoy.

Boating

EnCon Police Officers are responsible for patrolling all waters within the State and Long Island Sound for recreational boating safety enforcement. EnCon Police Officers enforce state boating laws and regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable boating experience for the many recreational boaters that enjoy Connecticut waterways each year. To enhance the safety of boaters, EnCon Police Officers inspect boats for compliance with safety equipment requirements and check boat operators for compliance with boat operator certification requirements.

EnCon Police Officers utilize various sized patrol vessels to patrol Connecticut’s waters. A new 27’ Safe Boat patrol vessel, powered by twin 250 horsepower outboard motors, is equipped with a 360 degree infrared camera and provides EnCon Police Officers with all weather capability for enforcement and search & rescue missions on Long Island Sound.

EnCon Police Officers also investigate boating accidents that occur on Connecticut waters. In 2005 EnCon Police Officers investigated 58 boating accidents. The Division maintains a "Boating Accident Reconstruction Unit" (B.A.R.U.) whose members reconstruct boating accidents that involved the death or serious physical injury of a person. The B.A.R.U. consists of 10 officers supervised by a sergeant, all of whom are specially trained in the field of boating accident reconstruction.

The Division is responsible for oversight of lake authority marine patrol units on Lake Candlewood and Lake Housatonic. These lake patrol units work under the supervision of a EnCon Police Sergeant who coordinates their patrols and training activities. Each lake patrol officer must successfully complete a 60-hour training course that provides comprehensive training in boating laws, B.U.I. enforcement, vessel boarding procedures, officer safety and first aid. In addition to training lake patrol officers the Division provides EnCon Police Officers to serve as instructors for the Boating Safety Division’s law enforcement training programs for marine police units.

Commercial Fishing

EnCon Police Officers are responsible for enforcing Connecticut’s laws and regulations pertaining to the commercial harvesting of fish and shellfish.

As Deputy Special Agents of the National Marine Fisheries Service they may also enforce Federal Codes concerning the commercial harvesting of marine fish and shellfish. EnCon Police Officers routinely inspect commercial fishing vessels to ensure compliance with species limitations, licensing and permit requirements and other laws pertaining to the commercial fishing industry.

The EnCon Police Division’s Marine District officers work closely with the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Aquaculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration to help ensure that contaminated shellfish do not reach the consumer market.

Wildlife Management

EnCon Police Officers respond to reports of sick, injured or nuisance wildlife. Officers responding to such reports make every effort to save the life of the animal or to relocate the animal to a more suitable habitat to reduce conflict between the animal and humans. In the case of injured wildlife, if possible, the officer will turn the animal over to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for care with the goal of eventual return of the animal to it’s natural environment.

EnCon Police Officers work with Department biologists to monitor Connecticut’s growing black bear population and work to protect the public through education about living with black bears. In 2005 there were 1,788 reports of bear sightings and nuisance bear complaints. During winter months hibernating bears are located and data regarding population, health and the number of cubs with sows is gathered.

In addition to black bears, Connecticut has a growing moose population. EnCon Police Officers assigned to the Chemical Immobilization team are experienced at tranquilizing and relocating moose from urban to rural areas of the state. Moose require special handling when tranquilized. Officers must cover the moose with ice to keep the moose from overheating and in many cases provide the moose with oxygen during transport. Once a moose is relocated, officers and biologists monitor the moose until it can safely return to the wild.

Parks and Forests

EnCon Police Officers serve as the primary police agency within our state parks and forests. Criminal activity of the same type that occurs in urban or residential areas also occurs within our state parks and forests. Officers conduct patrol work within our state parks and forests to act as a deterrent to such criminal activity. When crimes do occur in these areas, EnCon Police Officers respond to the complaints and conduct investigations with the goal of apprehending those responsible for the criminal activity.

Recreational Vehicles

EnCon Police Officers enforce state laws and regulations pertaining to the operation of snowmobiles and all terrain vehicles on state owned property and on frozen bodies of water. Officers utilize snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles and off road motorcycles to patrol for potential violators. In addition, the Division is assisted by the Connecticut State Police Aviation Unit to enhance enforcement efforts

Search & Rescue

During 2005, EnCon Police Officers responded to 57 Search & Rescue (SAR) and missing person incidents in Connecticut State parks and Forests, on the state’s lakes and rivers and on Long Island Sound. These missions ranged from locating lost hikers to recovery of drowning victims to aircraft accidents in Long Island Sound. EnCon Police Officers provide a valuable service to local and state police, fire departments and the US Coast Guard in SAR missions due to their extensive knowledge of the remote areas of the state and our offshore waters. Officers utilize patrol vessels, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles to augment these search efforts.

Homeland Security

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the EnCon Police Division has been tasked with a number of responsibilities related to Homeland Security. As a result of these attacks, the mission of the United States Coast Guard has involved additional off shore patrol assignments. These assignments have had an impact on the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to Search & Rescue missions on Long Island Sound. In order to protect public safety, and to assist the Coast Guard, the EnCon Police Division serves as their primary backup. EnCon Police Officers actively patrol public watershed areas by vehicle and on foot to enhance the level of security of public drinking water supplies. Officers also conduct waterborne security patrols of the major harbor areas of the state to augment U.S. Coast Guard resources to protect this infrastructure that is vital to Connecticut’s economy. Officers also conduct Homeland Security patrols in the waters off the Millstone Point Nuclear Power Plant in Waterford. Officers patrol this area on a 24 hour/7day a week basis during times of elevated terrorist threat levels.

Public Outreach

The EnCon Police Division dedicates numerous hours every year in educating the public on such topics as the protection of our natural resources and safety concerns while enjoying the outdoors. EnCon Police Officers often appear at agricultural fairs, schools, fish & game clubs, businesses, civic and youth group organizations to accomplish this important goal. Officers utilize two mobile trailers that are stocked with educational materials and mounts of indigenous wildlife.

State Environmental Conservation Police