DEEP’s Environmental Conservation Police Division is the primary state agency responsible for the enforcement of wildlife, fisheries and boating laws in the state. Part of this responsibility includes the investigation of hunting related shooting incidents. The Division recognized that these investigations can be extremely complex in nature. In 2004, the Hunting Related Shooting Investigation Unit was formed when two officers were trained by the International Hunting Incident Investigation Academy. The International Hunting Education Association sponsors the academy that is held in a different state each year. It is offered exclusively to law enforcement officers tasked with natural resource law enforcement and is specific to outdoor crime scenes. Since that time, four additional officers have been trained and added to the unit. Two team members, Sgt. Keith Schneider and Officer Paul Hilli, now serve as instructors for the IHEA annual training academy. While Connecticut has an extremely good record for safe hunting practices, in the event of a hunting related shooting incident, this unit is equipped and trained to conduct a thorough and accurate investigation.
Through enforcement and education the Environmental Conservation Police Division will continue to provide pubic safety and protect the state’s natural resources. We encourage the citizens of Connecticut to take an active role in this mission by reporting fish and game violations to our 24 hour toll free TIP Hotline at 1-800-842-4357.
Sincerely,
Colonel Kyle Overturf
