Coastal Bureau
Officers patrol coastal waters conducting investigations of illegal fishing practices, marine theft cases, and enforcement of boat registration and titling requirements.
The coastal force mediates disputes between competing fishing interests such as draggers, gill-netters, lobstermen, and recreational anglers. In addition, coastal officers closely monitor fish markets, processing facilities, shellfish digging, and Off-Highway Vehicle use on beaches.
Inland Enforcement Bureau
Environmental Police Officers serving in the inland regions are responsible for enforcing a wide variety of laws and regulations including the statutes regarding hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, and off-highway vehicles. Inland officers also investigate cases of illegal waste disposal, wetlands violations, and assist in search and rescue efforts. Officers patrol in cruisers, four-wheel-drive vehicles, boats, off-road vehicles, on foot, and in aircraft when necessary. Inland officers pay particular attention to state forests, parks, wildlife management areas, boat access sites and heavily-used public waterways such as major rivers and great ponds.
Boat and Recreation Safety Bureau
The Boat and Recreation Safety Bureau coordinates boating and recreational vehicle safety programs throughout the Commonwealth. Our boating safety training course, called “Boat Massachusetts,” addresses fundamental safety concepts and emphasizes the operator's legal and ethical responsibilities. It targets the boating novice, especially young boaters (12 through 15 years of age), who are required by state law to complete such a course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Additionally, safety and legal demonstrations are offered to groups of boaters, snowmobile riders, and off-highway vehicle users, with programs tailored to a group's particular needs. The Bureau is also responsible for the investigation of all motorboat and recreational vehicle accidents that cause substantial property damage, serious injuries, or fatalities.
Environmental Crimes Bureau
The Environmental Crimes Bureau is part of a unique interagency investigative organization called the "Environmental Crimes Strike Force." Under the direction of the Attorney General and the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Strike Force combines the prosecutory expertise of the Attorney General's Office with the scientific and investigatory skills of the Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Police, and the State Police. The Strike Force investigates and prosecutes environmental crimes that have serious public health consequences—cases involving illegal hazardous and solid waste disposal, water pollution, air quality violations, illegal pesticide application, and violations of wetland protection statutes.
Marine Theft Bureau
The Marine Theft Bureau was established to combat intensifying theft problems involving vessels, motors, electronic devices, and other marine accessories.
Marine Theft Bureau personnel work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard, federal enforcement agencies, state and local police, harbormasters and insurance agencies to prosecute criminals and recover stolen marine equipment.
In addition, the Bureau's Questioned Documents Section cooperates with the Division's Registration and Titling Bureau on investigations involving disputed motorboat titles and registrations. Through cooperation with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, the Marine Theft Bureau recovers substantial sales and excise tax revenue to the Commonwealth each year.
Boat and Recreation Vehicle Registration and Titling Bureau
The Boat and Recreation Vehicle Registration and Titling Bureau is responsible for registering motorboats, snowmobiles, and recreation vehicles in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We have five conveniently located registration offices to serve our customers throughout the state.
| Date published: | April 21, 2020 |
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