December 17, 2012

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Adam Bosch (845) 334-7868

Commissioner Carter Strickland Promotes 10 Members of Department of Environmental Protection Police Force

DEP Police Protect Drinking Water Supply For Nine Million New Yorkers

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Carter Strickland today presided over a promotion ceremony for 10 Environmental Police Officers at DEP’s Police Headquarters in Eastview. Eight Officers were promoted to the rank of Sergeant and two were promoted to Lieutenant. The promoted Officers reside in Dutchess, Rockland, Kings, Westchester, Queens, and Putnam Counties. Since 2002, DEP has doubled the size of its Police Division to its current 191 sworn members and will add 30 new members to the force next year. The promotions bring the Division to a total of 13 Lieutenants and 34 Sergeants. Deputy Commissioner for Police and Security Kevin McBride and Chief Peter Fusco joined Commissioner Strickland in administering the oath of office.

“Since 2002 we have invested $10.5 billion to upgrade our water supply infrastructure and our Environmental Police Officers are the first line of defense in protecting the high quality water relied upon by nine million New Yorkers,” said Commissioner Strickland. “I congratulate these Officers for demonstrating the type of skill and character that will allow them to be effective leaders within the Police Division.”

The DEP Police Division was established more than 100 years ago and is charged with protecting the city’s water supply system, which includes over 2,000 square miles of watershed land spread over nine counties, hundreds of miles of tunnels and aqueducts, 14 wastewater treatment plants, laboratories, and chlorination facilities. DEP Police patrol the watershed by foot, bicycle, all-terrain vehicle, motorcycle, boat, helicopter and aircraft. They also maintain specially trained units, including a Detective Bureau, Emergency Service Unit, Canine Unit, Strategic Patrol Unit and Aviation Unit.

The following Environmental Police Officers were promoted to Lieutenant:

Lieutenant Marc Muniz joined the DEP Police in December 2003 and began his career in the Patrol Division reporting out of the Grahamsville Precinct. In November 2008, Muniz was promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to the Eastview Precinct. Muniz currently serves as the Executive Officer of the DEP Police Academy and for the last six years has served in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.

Lieutenant Hector Reyes joined the DEP Police in December 2003, and began his career in the Patrol Division reporting out of the Eastview Precinct. In November 2008, Lieutenant Reyes was promoted to Sergeant.

The following Environmental Police Officers were promoted to Sergeant:

Sergeant Joseph Decker joined the DEP Police in October 2002 and began his career in the Patrol Division reporting out of the Eastview Precinct.

Sergeant Randall Hurlbert joined the DEP Police in December 2003, and began his career in the Patrol Division reporting out of the Croton Precinct. In January 2006 he was selected for the Special Operations Division, Aviation Unit.

Sergeant Walter Judd joined the DEP Police in July 2006, and began his career in the Patrol Division reporting out of the Hillview Precinct.

Sergeant Michael Martinez joined the DEP Police in December 2005, and began his career in the Patrol Division reporting out of the Eastview Precinct.

Sergeant Andreas Ortiz joined the DEP Police in December 2001, and began his career in the Patrol Division reporting out of the Eastview and Hillview Precincts. In September 2003 he was selected for the Special Operations Division, Emergency Service Unit.

Sergeant Timothy Paul joined the DEP Police in December 2005, and began his career in the Patrol Division reporting out of the Eastview Precinct. In November 2008 he was selected for the Special Operations Division, Strategic Patrol Unit.

Sergeant Jeremy Tompkins joined the DEP Police in August 1999, and began his career in the Patrol Division reporting out of the Eastview Precinct.

Sergeant Travis Winthers joined the DEP Police in January 2009, and began his career in the Patrol Division reporting out of the Eastview Precinct.

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing more than one billion gallons of water each day to more than nine million residents, including eight million in New York City, as well as residents of Ulster, Orange, Putnam and Westchester counties. The water comes from the Catskill, Delaware, and Croton watersheds that are located up to 125 miles from the City, and include 19 reservoirs, three controlled lakes, and numerous tunnels and aqueducts. DEP has nearly 6,000 employees, including almost 1,000 scientists, engineers, surveyors, watershed maintainers and others professionals in the upstate watershed In addition to its $68 million payroll and $153 million in annual taxes paid in upstate counties, DEP has invested more than $1.5 billion in watershed protection programs that support sustainable farming practices, environmentally sensitive economic development, and local economic opportunity. In addition, DEP has a robust capital program with over $13 billion in investments planned over the next 10 years that will create up to 3,000 construction-related jobs per year. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nycwater, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/nycwater.