Connecticut State Environmental Conservation Police

07/30/2026

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s (DEEP) Environmental Conservation Police (EnCon) have concluded a lengthy investigation into the illegal possession of venomous snakes. The investigation resulted in the seizure of 49 reptiles and multiple arrests.

On June 24, 2026 the EnCon Police Investigation Unit, in conjunction with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Connecticut State Police (CSP) Bureau of Special Investigations, executed a search and seizure warrant of a warehouse at 925 Sherman Avenue in Hamden, CT. As a result of the search warrant ex*****on, the EnCon Police seized 49 reptiles, including 46 venomous snakes, two anacondas, and one water monitor lizard.

Full press release available at the link below.
https://portal.ct.gov/deep/news-releases/news-releases---2026/ct-environmental-conservation-police-make-arrest-for-possession-of-venomous-snakes

Additional photos from the seizure are available in the album - link in the comments.

07/30/2026

07/02/2026

Operation Dry Water: July 3–5
With the 4th of July holiday bringing more boats out onto our waterways, EnCon Police officers will be increasing patrols as part of Operation Dry Water - a national campaign to reduce impaired boating. Expect a greater presence on Long Island Sound, the Connecticut River, and Candlewood Lake this weekend.
Remember: on the water or on the road, the legal limit is the same - BAC .08. Boating under the influence isn't just dangerous, it's illegal.
See something concerning? Call us at 860-424-3333.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July, Connecticut!

06/23/2026

Celebrating 5 Years of the ENCON Ranger Program!
It's hard to believe it's already been five years since we launched the ENCON Ranger Program! To celebrate this milestone, we checked in with our first-year Ranger alumni to see what they've been up to since their days patrolling our beaches.
We're proud to report that more than half of our 2021 First Ranger Class went on to careers in law enforcement:

- 4 are currently serving as ENCON Police Officers
- 2 have served as ENCON Dispatchers
- 2 are Connecticut State Troopers

Other alumni are now serving with:

U.S. Park Police
Massachusetts State Police
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Police
University of Connecticut Police
Old Lyme Police
Enfield Police
East Haddam Police
Waterbury Police
Fairfield Police (Special Police Officer)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Rangers

Looking to kick-start your career in law enforcement? The ENCON Ranger Program is a great way to gain valuable experience and build a foundation for a career in policing — whether with our department or another agency.

06/12/2026

EnCon officers have responded to 110 nuisance bear calls since January 1st - 96 of them since April 1st alone. Of those, 20 involved bears entering homes.

As temperatures rise and bears become more active, so do the conflicts that bring them into contact with people. The best way to reduce these calls — and keep bears wild — is to remove what's drawing them in the first place.

Read on for tips from our Wildlife Division colleagues on how to be this season.

Things are heating up — and that includes “beary” unwanted guests.

With young bears quickly growing, mating season underway, and yearlings finding their own territories, bears have been very active lately. This increased activity leads to more observations and, unfortunately, bears entering homes. So far this year, there have been 20 bear home entries in Connecticut.

With warm weather upon us, it is important to be to help prevent conflicts with bears that are comfortable around people and view our homes and yards as places to find food.

Remember the following:

✅ Prevent bears from finding human-sourced foods such as bird and hummingbird feeders, garbage, uncleaned grills, and pet food.

✅ Keep doors and windows secured, even if you are away briefly. Many bears gain entry to homes through open or unlocked door and windows—screens alone will not keep hungry bears away.

✅ Scare bears away if you see them—those quick pics and clips don’t benefit you or the bears.

✅ Keep pets on a leash when walking or hiking outdoors.

To learn more about living with black bears, or protecting chickens, bees, and livestock with electric fencing, visit https://portal.ct.gov/deep/wildlife/bears/the-basics-of-living-with-black-bears

It is up to all of us to keep bears, and our neighborhood, safe.

06/07/2026

**REQUEST FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE**

On 06/07/2026, a deceased male black bear weighing approximately 200lbs was located dumped on the side of Upson Rd in the town of Burlington. During a preliminary assessment of the bear, it appears as though there is a wound behind its front right shoulder consistent with being shot. At this time, we do not believe the incident took place on Upson Rd. The bear carcass was seized by Officers for further investigation. The State EnCon Police are requesting the public’s assistance to help identify the person(s) responsible for the killing of this male black bear. Anyone with information is urged to contact the State Encon Police Emergency Dispatch center at 860-424-3333 or you can email Officer Matthew Heath at [email protected]

05/24/2026

Despite today’s challenging weather conditions, and on the heels of National Safe Boating Week, our officers are still out on the water helping to keep Connecticut’s waterways safe. We’re looking forward to better weather this summer and encourage everyone planning to enjoy the water to make safety their top priority.
In addition to regularly scheduled on-water patrols on inland and marine waters, DEEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police are working with the DEEP Boating Division to educate boaters about the new Boating Under the Influence (BUI)-DUI reciprocity law. In the western district, EnCon officers are partnering with the Danbury Police Department and the Candlewood Lake Authority to conduct targeted BUI enforcement patrols on Candlewood Lake throughout the holiday weekend. In the eastern district and marine district, EnCon officers are patrolling the Connecticut River with a focus on “No Wake Zone” violations.
Remember:
• Wear your life jacket
• Never operate a boat under the influence
• Check weather conditions before heading out
• Ensure your vessel has required safety equipment
Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend on the water!

05/15/2026

The Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police are deeply saddened by the loss of Maine Game Warden Joshua Tibbetts, who was killed Tuesday in a plane crash while conducting a routine fish stocking mission in Avon. Warden Tibbetts served the Maine Warden Service with dedication for 18 years.
To his family, fellow wardens, and all who knew him — we stand with you. Rest easy, Warden Tibbetts. We have the watch.

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife is heartbroken to share that Game Warden Pilot Joshua Tibbetts died this morning in a plane crash in Avon, ME.

Game Warden Pilot Tibbetts served the people of Maine as a Maine Game Warden for 18 years, including the last three years as a pilot for Maine Warden Service. In that role, his specialized aviation work supported search and rescue, law enforcement, fisheries and wildlife conservation, and public safety across the state.

This is an incredibly difficult loss for his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Maine Warden Service. We ask the public to keep his loved ones, his fellow Game Wardens, and all those affected by this tragedy in their thoughts in the days ahead.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. The Department will cooperate fully with the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

We are grateful for the emergency personnel who responded to the scene and for the support already being shown to the Maine Warden Service family.

04/28/2026

🐾 CONGRATULATIONS ON A WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT, K9 LUNA #8! 🐾

We are so proud to announce the retirement of K9 Luna #8 from the Connecticut Environmental Conservation Police. Luna, you have been one of a kind from the very beginning.

Luna's journey started with Chiron K9 at Texas Tech University, where she worked alongside graduate students researching scent detection. When that research wrapped up, Chiron K9 chose to donate her to a conservation law enforcement agency — and in 2021, Connecticut was lucky enough to be selected. She arrived here at around 4 years old and was paired with Conservation Officer Alexandra Blackwell in the Marine District. Together, they were trained and certified by the CT State Police K9 Unit in Fish & Wildlife detection in 2023.

From February 2023 to April 2026, K9 Luna was deployed 210 times across the state. She located 188 fish, waterfowl, and deer — every single one illegally harvested and deliberately hidden from officers by poachers. Without Luna, those cases never would have been made. Her nose resulted in $24,098 in fines and one criminal arrest.

Her most unforgettable case came in December 2024. Along Route 110 in Shelton, right next to the Housatonic River, Luna sniffed out four laundry bags buried in the ground spread over 75 feet of roadside — each one stuffed with striped bass hidden by poachers. In all, 34 striped bass were recovered, four anglers were charged, $4,974 in fines were issued, and every one of them pled guilty.

In January of 2025 Luna was honored at the CT State Capitol with an Official Citation and medals from the CT General Assembly for her detection skills and dedication to locating illegally harvested fish and game. That April she and her handler were also recognized as Connecticut's 2024 Conservation Officer of the Year.

K9 Luna is retiring at 9 years old. She'll spend her retirement at home with Officer Blackwell, her family, and her new sister K9 Scup #12, who will carry the torch and continue patrolling the Marine District.

Luna, thank you for protecting Connecticut's fish and wildlife — and for finding what no human could. You are, as always, the best girl. 💚

04/23/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE – Squantz Pond, New Fairfield | Seeking Information

This morning, Thursday, April 23, 2026, at approximately 6:50 AM, a witness observed a fisherman capsize his canoe at the Squantz Pond boat launch. The fisherman was able to make it to shore safely and advised the witness that he intended to go home and return to retrieve his canoe. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Out of an abundance of caution, the EnCon Police are seeking to make contact with both the witness and the owner of the canoe to confirm everyone's well-being.

We do not believe this is an emergency situation, but we want to account for all parties involved.

The canoe in question is pictured below and has been secured for safe keeping until the owner can retrieve it.

If you have any information regarding this incident — including knowledge of the canoe's owner or the witness present at the launch — please contact our Emergency Dispatch Center at:

**(860) 424-3333**

Thank you for helping us keep our community safe.