The department has a staff of highly trained Bay Constables who serve as NYS Peace Officers. The unique function of the Town of Hempstead Bay Constables spans a wide array of specialties. The primary goal of this unit is marine environment protection. The Town is responsible to protect over 20,000 acres of sensitive wetlands and 180 miles of shoreline.
Bay Constables patrol our waterways assisting boaters and recreationists while enforcing navigation, conservation, and marine safety laws and ordinances. In addition, they keep a watchful eye out for pollution and other hazardous situations. Law Enforcement personnel also conduct boater safety and hunter safety courses.
The town's Shellfish Management Program is a shared jurisdiction between the department’s Law Enforcement and Biology Divisions. Staff in our shellfish hatchery spawn and grow millions of juvenile clams to be seeded throughout the Hempstead Bays each fall and eventually harvested. Town Bay Constables are responsible for ensuring that shellfish harvesters possess the required permit, and harvest shellfish in certified waters only.
For additional information on safety courses or to report information to a law enforcement officer, contact the Bay Constables at 897-4100
