Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police today swore in two new police officers -- Officer Dakota Flis, 26, of East Haddam and Officer Vincent Mazzotta, 45, of Haddam.  

“Our Environmental Conservation Police are a highly regarded division of this agency whose officers play a critical role in both protecting this state’s environment and natural resources as well as in law enforcement,” said DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee. “Both new officers are former police officers for Connecticut municipalities and are a welcome addition to Connecticut’s EnCon Police force.

Dakota Flis has worked the last three years as a patrol officer for the West Hartford Police Department.  Officer Flis attended Unity College in Maine where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Conservation Law Enforcement. He is also a graduate of Xavier High School in Middletown.  He has previously worked as a Seasonal Marine Patrol Officer and Shellfish Warden in Rhode Island.

Vincent Mazzotta has worked the past 21 years for the Middletown Police Department where he retired with the rank of Sergeant. During his time with the Middletown, he held a variety of assignments include K-9 handler, Field Training Officer, DARE Officer, Critical Incident/Stress Management Counselor and Marine/Dive Rescue Unit. Officer Mazzotta has his associate’s degree in criminal justice from Dean College.

Background on EnCon Police

Tracing its roots back to “Special Game Protectors” first appointed in 1895, DEEP’s Environmental Conservation Police Division is the oldest law enforcement organization in the state. EnCon officers are fully certified law enforcement officials with full arrest powers. In addition to traditional law enforcement duties on state lands and in state parks, they have special responsibilities for protecting Connecticut’s natural resources and wildlife and enforcing fish and game regulations.

Left to right: Officer Vincent Mazzota, DEEP Bureau Chief Michael Lambert, DEEP Commissioner Robert Klee, Officer Dakota Flis, and Colonel Kyle Overturf.

Commissioner Klee congratulates Dakota Flis and Vincent Mazzotta on being sworn in as EnCon officers.