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{{Short description|Uniformed federal law enforcement agency}}
'''The United States Park Police''' are the oldest uniformed ] ] agency, with jurisdiction in all ] areas and certain other government lands. In addition to performing the normal crime prevention, investigation, and apprehension functions of a urban police force, the Park Police are responsible for guarding many of the most of famous monuments in the ], and also provide protection for the ] and visiting dignitaries. The Park Police are a unit of the National Park Service, which is a branch of the ].
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2018}}


{{Not to be confused with|National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers}}{{Infobox law enforcement agency
Originally known as the ''Park Watchmen'', they were formed in ] by ] to protect federal property only in the ]. The ''Watchmen'' were given the same powers and duties as metropolitan ] police in ], and their name changed to the present U.S. Park Police in ]. Their authority first began to expand outside DC in ], and today they are primarily responsible for the ] in ] and the ] in ], as well as the many designated areas in the Washington area, which includes neighboring counties in ] and ].
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| motto = ''Integrity, Honor, Service''
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The '''United States Park Police''' ('''USPP''') is the oldest uniformed ] agency in the United States. It functions as a full-service law enforcement agency with responsibilities and jurisdiction in those ] areas primarily located in the ], ], and ] areas and certain other government lands. United States Park Police officers have jurisdictional authority in the surrounding metropolitan areas of the three cities it primarily operates in, meaning they possess both state and federal authority.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 22, 2020 |title=Department of the Interior (DOI) Law Enforcement Programs |url=https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11709/2 |access-date=April 19, 2023 |website=Congressional Research Service}}</ref> In addition to performing the normal crime prevention, investigation, and apprehension functions of an urban police force, the Park Police are responsible for policing many of the famous ]s in the United States.


The USPP shares law enforcement jurisdiction in all lands administered by the National Park Service with a force of ] tasked with the same law enforcement powers and responsibilities. The agency also provides protection for the ], ], and visiting dignitaries. The Park Police is an operation of the National Park Service, which is an agency of the ]. As of April 8, 2022, the force consisted of 494 officers.<ref name=speech>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/04/08/park-police-chief-retires/ |title=Park Police Chief Retires|date= April 8, 2022|website= doi.gov|access-date= April 8, 2022}}</ref>
Park Police must be U.S. citizens over the age of 21, but under 35 when they first apply, with some education past the high school level or the equivalent. Upon completion of training, officers are initially assigned to the Washington area, where the largest contingent of Park Police are located.


==External Link== == History ==
]
]
The '''Park Watchmen''' were first recruited in 1791 by ] to protect federal property in the ]. The police functioned as an independent agency of the federal government until 1849, when it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior.<ref name="Farabee">{{cite book |last1=Farabee |first1=Charles R. |title=National Park Ranger: An American Icon |date=2003 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=9781570983924 |page=121}}</ref> In 1867, Congress transferred the police to the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds, under the supervision of the ] of the ]. The Watchmen were given the same powers and duties as the Metropolitan Police of ] in 1882.<ref>{{cite book |title=United States Congressional serial set, Issue 5145 |date=1907 |publisher=The Library of Congress |page=2125 |ref=serial}}</ref> Their name was officially changed to the present United States Park Police in 1919. In 1925, Congress placed the Park Police in the newly created Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital.<ref name="Northwest">{{cite book |last1=United States. National Park Service |title=The White House and President's Park, Comprehensive Design Plan: Environmental Impact Statement |date=1999 |publisher=Northwestern University |page=448}}</ref> Headed by an Army officer, Lt. Col. ], the office reported directly to the ]. In 1933, President ] transferred the police to the National Park Service.<ref name="Marion">{{cite book |last1=Maion |first1=Nancy |title=Federal Law Enforcement Agencies in America |date=2015 |publisher=Wolters Kluwer Law & Business |isbn=9781454858775 |page=66}}</ref>


Their authority first began to expand outside D.C. in 1929, and today they are primarily responsible for the ] units in ]-] and the ] in ], as well as the many designated areas in Washington, D.C., and the neighboring counties in ] and ]. These sites include the ], the ] towpath in the region, and the parallel roadways of the ] in Virginia and ] in Maryland, as well as the federally maintained segment of the ] in Maryland.
*


The current sidearm is the ] which replaced the ] in service.
]

]

==Authority==
The force functions as a unit of the National Park Service with jurisdiction in all federal parks. U.S. Park Police officers are located in the Washington, DC, New York City, and San Francisco metropolitan areas, and investigate and detain persons suspected of committing offenses against the United States. Officers also carry out services for many notable events conducted in the national parks.<ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/uspp/index.htm |title=United States Park Police |publisher=U.S. National Park Service |date=August 10, 2018 |access-date=September 10, 2018}}</ref> The U.S. Park Police are able to effect an arrest without a warrant in any unit of the National Park System, the District of Columbia, and the environs of the District of Columbia.<ref name=authority>{{cite web|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/uspp/jurisdiction-and-authority.htm |title=Jurisdiction and Authority |publisher=U.S. National Park Service |date=August 10, 2020 |access-date=September 10, 2020}}</ref>

Park Police have authority to follow a vehicle outside their jurisdiction if the offense was committed within the park. According to Park Police policy, lethal force can only be used when there is "imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm".<ref name=wp.video>{{cite news |first=Tom |last=Jackman |date=January 24, 2018 |title= Video shows Park Police fired nine shots into Bijan Ghaisar's Jeep at close range, killing him |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2018/01/24/video-shows-park-police-fired-nine-shots-into-bijan-ghaisars-jeep-at-close-range-killing-him/?noredirect=on |newspaper=Washington Post |location=Washington DC |access-date=January 24, 2018}}</ref>

In ], USPP Officers are provided with Conservator of the Peace powers as set forth in 19.2-12 of the ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/19.2-12/ |title=Legislative Information System |publisher=Leg1.state.va.us |access-date=September 10, 2018}}</ref> with powers and duties provided under 19.2-18 of the Code of Virginia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/19.2-18/ |title=Legislative Information System |publisher=Leg1.state.va.us |access-date=September 10, 2018}}</ref> In Washington, D.C., itself, USPP Officers have the same powers and duties as the ]. USPP Officers possess a limited arrest authority in the State of ]. The U.S. Park Police hold state arrest authority in ] , and state arrest authority in ] . In ], arrest powers are provided under California Penal Code Section 830.8. These state arrest powers are in addition to powers held as federal officers. The U.S. Park Police primarily enforce laws including but not limited to ] (CFR) and other federal statutes such as ] and ], as well as state and local laws.

===Leadership===

In September 2019, Gregory T. Monahan became acting chief of U.S. Park Police. Upon Monahan's appointment, former Chief Robert Maclean was promoted to Interior Department's Office of Law Enforcement and Security.<ref name=monahan>{{cite news |last=Jackman |first=Tom |date= 13 September 2019|title=Police union says new Park Police chief arranged for criminal cases to be dropped
|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/crime-law/2019/09/14/police-union-says-new-park-police-chief-arranged-criminal-cases-be-dropped/ |newspaper=Washington Post |location=Washington DC |access-date=13 September 2019 }}</ref>

=== Districts ===
The United States Park Police operates patrol district stations in the New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., metropolitan areas.<ref name="uspp authority">{{cite web |title=Jurisdiction and Authority |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/uspp/jurisdiction-and-authority.htm |website=USPP |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

U.S. Park Police officers are charged with protecting national icons such as the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and other well known monuments and memorials. This is accomplished through the Homeland Security Division, which consists of the Intelligence/Counter-Terrorism Unit, the New York field office, and the Icon Protection Branch, which consists of the Central District Station and Special Forces.<ref>{{cite web |title=Homeland Security Division |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/uspp/hs.htm |website=USPP |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

===Specialized units===
The U.S. Park Police manages a Marine Unit, an Aviation Unit, Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), a Canine Unit, a Motorcycle Unit, a Special Events Unit, a Traffic Safety Unit, a Horse Mounted Unit and a Criminal Investigations Branch.<ref name="USPP spec units">{{cite web |title=Specialized Units |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/uspp/specialized-units.htm |website=USPP |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

==== Aviation ====
]

The missions of the United States Park Police Aviation Unit include aviation support for law enforcement, medevac, search and rescue, high-risk prisoner transport and presidential and dignitary security. The Aviation Unit has provided accident-free, professional aviation services for over 40 years. They were the first helicopter provider of ] within Washington, D.C, and continue to provide these services 24/7 to the district and neighboring jurisdictions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://doh.dc.gov/service/ems-air-medical-providers |title=Air medical providers |publisher=Doh.dc.gov |access-date=September 10, 2018}}</ref> They also provide an invaluable resource for patrolling and performing rescues at the numerous federal parks and recreation areas within the National Capital Region, such as ] and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2013/09/elite-national-park-service-helicopter-unit-marks-forty-years-service23970|title=Elite National Park Service Helicopter Unit Marks Forty Years of Service|work=National Parks Traveler}}</ref> Like many park environments, injured parties in these remote and difficult to access locations require specialized rescue equipment to access and retrieve persons in distress. The US Park Police Aviation Unit is the primary resource for these remote rescues requiring helicopter access.

The Aviation Unit of the United States Park Police began in April 1973 and was placed under the command of Lt. Richard T. Chittick. It started with one ] JetRanger and a staff of three pilots and three rescue technicians based at the Anacostia Naval Air Station in a shared space with the MPD Aviation Branch. A second helicopter, a ] JetRanger, was added in 1975 and the unit relocated to Andrews AFB. The Aviation Unit moved to its present facility in ], the "Eagle's Nest," in 1976. In 1983, the 206B-3 was upgraded to a ]. Their first twin-engine helicopter, a ], and the third helicopter to carry the designation "Eagle One," was placed in service in January 1991. The unit grew to its current staff, and began providing 24-hour coverage in January 1994.

In August 1999, the unit took delivery of its second twin-engine helicopter, a ]EP. It became the fourth helicopter in the unit's history to carry the designation "Eagle One" and the same registration number as that of an earlier aircraft whose crew affected the rescue of victims after the crash of ]. In May 2016, the unit received a replacement for "Eagle Two" with a used & reconditioned ]EP to replace the aging aircraft delivered in 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://usppfop.org/2016/05/25/660/ |title=Aviation to receive a 'New' Eagle |publisher=Usppfop.org |date=May 25, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2018}}</ref>

The crews of U.S. Park Police Aviation resources are frequently called to assist at significant and historical disasters and emergency incidents throughout the National Capital Region. These incidents include the ] on the Pentagon,<ref name="DOD" /> the ] throughout the region, the 1982 crashing of ], and the 2013 ].<ref>{{cite web | title=D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray Says At Least 13 Dead In Navy Yard Shooting | website=US News & World Report | date=16 September 2013 | url=http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2013/09/16/dc-navy-yard-shooting-at-least-6-dead | access-date=3 August 2023}}</ref> During the June 2017 ], the crews of U.S. Park Police Aviation responded with two helicopters and transported Congressman ] and a U.S. Capitol Police Officer to the ] at ].<ref name="Mullins">{{cite news |last1=Mullins |first1=Luke |title=The Terrifying Story of the Congressional Baseball Shooting |url=https://www.washingtonian.com/2018/05/28/terrifying-story-of-the-congressional-baseball-shooting-steve-scalise/ |publisher=Washingtonian |date=28 May 2018}}</ref>

==Organization and rank structure==

]

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Title
!Insignia
|-
|{{center|Chief of Police}}
| style="text-align:center;"|]
|-
|{{center|Assistant Chief}}
| style="text-align:center;"|]
|-
|{{center|Deputy Chief}}
| style="text-align:center;"|]
|-
|{{center|Major}}
| style="text-align:center;"|]
|-
|{{center|Captain}}
| style="text-align:center;"|]
|-
|{{center|Lieutenant}}
| style="text-align:center;"|]
|-
|{{center|Sergeant}}
| style="text-align:center;"|]
|-
|{{center|Private/Investigator}}
| style="text-align:center;"|N/A
|}

==Notable events==
In January 1982 USPP helicopter pilot Don Usher and his partner Gene Windsor saved the lives of five passengers from the ] crash. Usher and Windsor, at great risk to themselves and lacking a winch or any sort of rescue equipment, flew their ] "Eagle Two" inches above the frozen ] to pull the survivors from the 34°F (1.1°C) water before depositing them ashore for waiting ambulance crews.<ref name="macjob">{{cite book |last1=Job |first1=Macarthur |title=Air Disaster |date=March 1996 |publisher=Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd. |location=Melbourne, Victoria |isbn=1875671196 |pages=87-88 |edition=Volume 2}}</ref> At one point, Usher flew the helicopter so close to the river that the skids went below the water as Windsor stood on them to tie a rescue line around surviving flight attendant Kelly Duncan, who couldn't grip the life preserver thrown to her due to ]. She was lifted to shore after spending 25 minutes in the freezing river. <ref>{{cite news |last1=Dicus |first1=Howard |title=Ten years after a jet headed to sunny Florida... |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1992/01/13/Ten-years-after-a-jet-headed-to-sunny-Florida/5365695278800/ |publisher=UPI |date=13 January 1992}}</ref>

In December 1982, ] threatened to blow up the Washington Monument with a truck he said contained explosives. A standoff with U.S. Park police began at 9:20 in the morning. It ended ten hours later after the suspect backed up the truck, then surged forward. Police fired dozens of shots at the tires and engine block, overturning the van. One of the bullets ricocheted and fatally struck Mayer in the head. No explosives were found in the van.<ref>{{cite news |last1=SHRIBMAN |first1=David |title=MAN SLAIN IN CAPITAL MONUMENT THREAT |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/12/09/us/man-slain-in-capital-monument-threat.html |work=The New York Times|date=9 December 1982}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McCabe |first1=Scott |title=CRIME HISTORY - Man killed at Washington Monument |url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/crime-history-man-killed-at-washington-monument |publisher=Washington Examiner |date=8 December 2009}}</ref>

In 1989, Officers David Duffey and William Lovegrove rescued two people in the Glen Echo Flood after a parking lot collapsed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Latimer |first1=Leah Y. |title=63 VEHICLES TAKE PLUNGE AS PARKING LOT COLLAPSES |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1989/05/07/63-vehicles-take-plunge-as-parking-lot-collapses/1565cb1b-232e-4c7e-9427-9b9ccf4565a6/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=7 May 1989}}</ref>

In 1990, Officer Katherine Heller was at Lafayette Park when she was approached by a man who had been assaulted. After Heller radioed a description of the attacker, another Park Police officer, Scott Dahl, spotted a man matching the description and approached him. The alleged assailant began fighting with the officer and wrested the officer's service pistol away from him. Heller approached and shot the man in the chest. For this act of valor, Heller was named Police Officer of the Year by Parade Magazine and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. She was the first U.S. Park Police officer, and the first female officer, to receive the IACP award.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Buckley |first1=Stephen |title=MAN SLAIN BY POLICE IN LAFAYETTE SQUARE |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1990/02/23/man-slain-by-police-in-lafayette-square/0db006bc-7c20-41e9-bc85-73eaa7375e01/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=23 February 1990}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Hoberock |first1=Barbara |title=U.S. Parks Officer Honored By Police Chiefs, Magazine |url=https://www.tulsaworld.com/archive/u-s-parks-officer-honored-by-police-chiefs-magazine/article_c45a7547-f3d1-5637-8908-9da3705d0503.html |publisher=Tulsa World |date=10 October 1990}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR HONOREES |url=https://dnn9ciwm8.azurewebsites.net/POYStories#1990 |publisher=International Association of Chiefs of Police}} {{dead link|date=March 2021}}</ref>

In 1993, officers of the Park Police rescued passengers of the ] ship, which had run aground on the beach at ] in ]. Park police officers were the first to arrive on the scene. After calling for backup, they ran into the ocean and pulled survivors from the cold water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-03 |title=RESCUES FROM THE ATLANTIC: THE GOLDEN VENTURE INCIDENT - Fire Engineering |url=https://www.fireengineering.com/technical-rescue/rescues-from-the-atlantic-the-golden-venture-incident/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203000657/https://www.fireengineering.com/technical-rescue/rescues-from-the-atlantic-the-golden-venture-incident/ |archive-date=December 3, 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Keefe |first=Patrick Radden |date=2006-04-16 |title=The Snakehead |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2006/04/24/the-snakehead |access-date=2024-01-29 |magazine=The New Yorker |language=en-US |issn=0028-792X}}</ref>

In 1994 Park Police shot and killed a homeless man on the sidewalk in front of the ]. The man was brandishing a large hunting knife taped to his hand and refused to surrender during a confrontation with the officers.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Duggan |first1=Paul |title=HOMELESS MAN SHOT IN FRONT OF WHITE HOUSE |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1994/12/21/homeless-man-shot-in-front-of-white-house/4bcbd3ef-ce50-4645-bd80-ca88aec50562/ |publisher=The Washington Times |date=21 December 1994}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Homeless Man Shot Near the White House Dies |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/12/22/us/homeless-man-shot-near-the-white-house-dies.html |work=The New York Times|date=22 December 1994}}</ref>

The two helicopters of the U.S. Park Police played an important role after the ] on the Pentagon. The crews responded immediately, transporting injured personnel to hospitals. The helicopters served as a command and control platform, using their Forward Looking Infrared equipment to provide firefighters with intelligence about the scope and spread of the fire through the five rings of the structure, and taking over air traffic control for the Washington, D.C., airspace after the controllers at Washington National Airport had to evacuate due to thick smoke.<ref name="Fire">{{cite news |last1=Gabbert |first1=Bill |title=National Park Service helicopters played vital role on 9/11 |url=https://fireaviation.com/2018/12/01/national-park-service-helicopters-played-vital-role-on-9-11/ |publisher=Fire Aviation |date=1 December 2018}}</ref><ref name="NPS911">{{cite book |last1=McDonnell |first1=Janet |title=The National Park Service: Responding to the September 11 Terrorist Attacks |date=2004 |publisher=United States. National Park Service |pages=19–24 |url=https://wildfiretoday.com/documents/911_NPS.pdf}}</ref><ref name="DOD">{{cite book |last1=Goldberg |first1=Alfred |last2=Papadopoulos |first2=Sarandis |last3=Putney |first3=Diane |last4=Berlage |first4=Nancy |last5=Welch |first5=Rebecca |title=Pentagon 9/11 |date=2 April 2007 |publisher=Defense Dept., Office of the Secretary, Historical Office |isbn=978-0-16-078328-9 |pages= |edition=Kindle |url=https://archive.org/details/pentagon911alfre00wash/page/1172 }}</ref>

In 2011, U.S. Park Police conducted an investigation after the arrest of five dancers at the ]. In a video posted to YouTube, Park Police appeared to body slam and choke an individual who was silently dancing. The dance was in protest of the ban on dancing at memorials.<ref name="abc">{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/park-police-investigate-arrests-dancing-jefferson-memorial/story?id=13720498|title=Park Police Investigate Arrests for Dancing at Jefferson Memorials|first=Russell|last=Goldman|date=May 30, 2011|work=ABC News|access-date=May 30, 2011|location=Washington DC}}</ref>

U.S. Park Police played a role in the ] on September 16, 2013. Two U.S. Park Police officers, Andrew Wong and Carl Hiott, were involved in the response. The shooter was killed by D.C. Police Emergency Response Team officer Dorian DeSantis, who took fire, and a U.S Park Police Officer.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/officer-who-shot-navy-yard-gunman-says-it-needed-to-be-done/2014/09/14/5aeaf8f0-384e-11e4-8601-97ba88884ffd_story.html|title=Officer who shot Navy Yard gunman says it 'needed to be done'|last=Hermann|first=Peter|date=September 14, 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 10, 2018}}</ref> U.S. Park Police Eagle 1 also conducted a rescue mission and removed an injured shooting victim from the roof of building 197 along with three other survivors ultimately saving their lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wtkr.com/2015/09/18/for-park-police-pilot-ken-burchell-navy-yard-shooting-was-unlike-any-other-rescue-mission/|title=For Park Police pilot Ken Burchell, Navy Yard shooting was unlike any other rescue mission|date=September 18, 2015|publisher=WTKR.com|access-date=September 10, 2018}}</ref>

In 2014, Park Police launched a crackdown on food truck operators. Park Police handcuffed food vendors who were selling to tourists on the National Mall. Vendors suggested that the enforcement was to protect the revenue from the government's food stands.<ref name="wtop">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/taxi-driver-wins-fight-against-national-park-service-after-judge-finds-idling-isnt-parking/2016/02/11/db254754-d0d3-11e5-abc9-ea152f0b9561_story.html|title=Park Police Investigate Park police cracking down on Mall food trucks|last=Shapira|first=Ian|date=July 8, 2014|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=July 8, 2014|location=Washington DC}}</ref> By September 2014, Park Police had arrested 196 people over the year for vending without a license on the mall, some of whom were jailed.<ref name="wp.vending">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/food-trucks-on-the-mall-stationary-vendors-worry-about-the-impending-competition/2014/09/22/133b9aba-3d16-11e4-b03f-de718edeb92f_story.html|title=Food trucks on the Mall? Stationary vendors worry about the impending competition|last=Carman|first=Tim|date=September 23, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2014}}</ref><ref name="jailed">{{cite news|url=https://mobile-cuisine.com/off-the-wire/dc-food-truck-vendor-jailed-parking-mall/|title=DC Food Truck Vendor Jailed For Parking At Mall|date=September 23, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2014}}</ref>

In 2015, U.S. Park Police detained an on-duty ] special agent who was part of a detail for US Homeland Security Secretary ]. The Park Police were sued following the incident for violating the ] protections against unreasonable seizures.<ref name="ss">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/06/13/park-police-detained-an-on-duty-secret-service-agent-he-says-it-was-because-hes-black/|title=Park Police detained an on-duty Secret Service agent. He says it was because he's black.|last=Flynn|first=Meagan|date=18 June 2019|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=18 June 2019|location=Washington DC}}</ref>

In 2016, Park Police aggressively enforced traffic regulations outside Arlington National Cemetery. Officers hid behind bushes to catch cabdrivers picking up passengers, claiming that idling cars were parked. Charges brought by the Park Police were dropped on appeal.<ref name="wp.parking">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-taxi-drivers-standoff-with-us-park-police-outside-arlington-national-cemetery/2016/01/03/1f673002-afd3-11e5-b820-eea4d64be2a1_story.html|title=A taxi driver's standoff with U.S. Park Police outside Arlington National Cemetery|last=Shapira|first=Ian|date=11 February 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=11 February 2016}}</ref>

In 2017, Park Police handcuffed teens who were selling water on the National Mall. DC Councilmember ] asked whether arresting the teens was the appropriate response.<ref name="nw">{{cite news |first= Janice |last= Williams |date=24 June 2017 |title=POLICE IN WASHINGTON D.C. ARREST BLACK TEENS FOR SELLING WATER BOTTLES, BECAUSE 'SAFETY' |url=https://www.newsweek.com/national-mall-arrest-washington-arrested-628846 |location=Washington DC |access-date=24 June 2017 }}</ref>

In November 2017, Park Police ], an unarmed Virginia man after a hit and run and three separate vehicle pursuits. More than eight months after the incident, Park Police provided no explanation for the killing.<ref name=wp.lawsuit>{{cite news |author1=Tom Jackman |author2=Michael Brice-Saddler |date= August 3, 2018|title=Family of accountant shot dead by U.S. Park Police officers files $25 million lawsu=it |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2018/08/03/family-of-accountant-shot-dead-by-u-s-park-police-officers-files-25-million-lawsuit/ |newspaper=Washington Post |location=Washington DC |access-date=August 4, 2018}}</ref> According to a lawsuit filed by the family, it was twelve hours following the incident before the family learned that Park Police were involved. Two days after the shooting, Park Police Chief Robert MacLean met with the family. MacLean offered condolences but provided no information about what had happened.<ref name=wp.lawsuit/> The Ghaisar family was not allowed to touch their son for three days following the incident, when he was guarded by the department's officers.<ref name=wp.lawsuit/> According to the family, when a doctor arrived to examine Ghaisar for organ donation, the Park Police denied access, declaring the brain-dead man "under arrest" and his body "evidence."<ref name=wp.lawsuit/> More than nine months after the incident, Chief MacLean refused to speak to media about the incident, while Fairfax County Police, who filmed the shooting, said that the episode showed that greater transparency was needed.<ref name=fox5>{{cite news |first= Paul|last= Wagner|date= August 9, 2018|title=US Park Police chief confronted about deadly shooting of Bijan Ghaisar |url=http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/us-park-police-chief-confronted-about-deadly-shooting-of-bijan-ghaisar |work=Fox News |location=Washington DC |access-date=August 9, 2018}}</ref> After more than a year and in response to a lawsuit, US Park Police named the shooters as officers Lucas Vinyard and Alejandro Amaya.<ref name=wtop.id>{{cite news |first=Reem |last=Nadeem |date=29 March 2019 |title= Family's lawsuit IDs Park Police officers who shot unarmed Va. driver|url=https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2019/03/familys-lawsuit-ids-park-police-officers-who-shot-unarmed-driver/|work=WTOP|location=Washington DC|access-date=29 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330012132/https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2019/03/familys-lawsuit-ids-park-police-officers-who-shot-unarmed-driver/ |archive-date=March 30, 2019 }}</ref> The incident was not captured on a body cam, since Park Police are forbidden from wearing body cameras while on the job. In a 2015 memo written by Chief MacLean, he told the entire force not to use any audio or video recorders "while on duty". MacLean claimed that the lack of a department-wide policy justified the ban on cameras.<ref name=hill>{{cite news |first=Miranda |last=Green |date=April 25, 2018 |title=Park Police officers were forbidden from wearing body cameras: memo
|url=https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/384884-park-police-officers-were-forbidden-from-wearing-body-cameras-memo/ |newspaper=Washington Post|location=Washington DC|access-date=April 25, 2018}}</ref> Following the shooting, in 2018 DC Congressional Delegate ] introduced a bill to require uniformed federal police officers to wear body cameras and have dashboard cameras in marked vehicles. The legislation was directly in response to Ghaisar's death.<ref>{{cite news |date= 26 January 2018 |title=Bijan Ghaisar's family and friends push for answers in US Park Police shooting death
|url=http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/bijan-ghaisars-family-and-friends-push-for-answers-in-us-park-police-shooting-death |work=Fox 5|location=Washington DC |access-date=26 January 2018}}</ref> Chief MacLean backed out of a scheduled meeting with Holmes Norton and Representative ] to discuss the matter, prompting Holmes Norton to make a statement to "express our astonishment" at his absence.<ref name=wp.meeting>{{cite news |first=Tom|last=Jackman|date= February 13, 2018 |title= After Ghaisar killing, Park Police chief backs out of meeting on bill requiring body cams|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2018/02/13/after-ghaisar-killing-park-police-chief-backs-out-of-meeting-on-bill-requiring-body-cams-for-federal-officers/?noredirect=on |newspaper=Washington Post|location=Washington DC|access-date= July 15, 2018 }}</ref> More than two years after the killing, Park Police had not launched an internal investigation into the matter or released recordings of the 911 calls the Park Police received.<ref name=wp.call>{{cite news |first=Tom|last=Jackman|date= December 2, 2019 |title= After Ghaisar killing, Park Police chief backs out of meeting on bill requiring body cams|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/crime-law/2019/12/02/park-police-postpone-internal-probe-bijan-ghaisar-case-call-partly-released/|newspaper=Washington Post|location=Washington DC|access-date=December 2, 2019 }}</ref>

In 2019, the sexual assault of a female Park Police officer by her male colleague two years earlier was disclosed. The attack occurred inside a Park Police station. Despite a protection order requiring 100 yards of distance between the two officers, Park Police continued to assign the officers to roles where they might be in contact. The assaulting officer was not suspended or terminated.<ref name="wusa2">{{cite news |last=Satterfield |first= Kolbie|date= 20 September 2019|title=US Park Police Officer speaks out after she says she was sexually assaulted by fellow officer |url= https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/park-police-officer-speaks-out-after-sexual-assault/65-65d0d401-1210-4b6c-82e4-618f0e20dd85|work= WUSA 9 |location=Washington DC |access-date=20 September 2019 }}</ref>

{{main|Donald Trump photo-op at St. John's Church}}
On June 1, 2020, USPP officers cleared the streets bordering ] of protesters on the order of ] ]. Reporting news crews, Rev. Gini Gerbasi of St. John's Episcopal, and many protesters noted the use of tear gas, flashbangs, and rubber bullets to disperse the peaceful crowds. Park Police officers on foot, and mounted on horseback, used riot gear such as batons and shields to drive assembled crowds further away from the park. The USPP released a statement that stated "no tear gas was used" by any law enforcement agency during the incident.<ref>{{cite news|title=Park Police: 'No tear gas was used' to move protesters away from White House|url=https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/park-police-no-tear-gas-was-used-to-move-protesters-away-from-white-house|access-date=June 4, 2020}}</ref> Media subsequently reported that USPP assaulted the protesters with pepper spray canisters, which were found at the scene.<ref name="wusa">{{cite news|last=Baca|first=Nathan|date=June 3, 2020|title=U.S. Park Police said they didn't fire tear gas Monday; here's what was shot at protesters|work=WUSA|location=Washington DC|url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/tear-gas-washington-dc-protests-st-johns-church/65-7e9a67c7-e40b-47a2-8060-3f7d908139dd|access-date=June 3, 2020}}</ref> Australian journalists who were reporting live from the scene were assaulted by Park Police during the operation. The incident prompted a diplomatic complaint by the Australian government. Two park police officers were assigned to administrative duties.<ref name="wp20200617">{{cite news|date=June 17, 2020|title=The U.S. Park Police's reputation is in tatters|work=WUSA|location=Washington DC|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-us-park-polices-reputation-is-in-tatters/2020/06/17/cd427e00-b0b6-11ea-856d-5054296735e5_story.html|access-date=June 17, 2020}}</ref> This specific incident was referred to the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Inspector General but that investigation was still ongoing as of August 2021 and no relevant report currently appears on the OIG website.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Government Accountability Office |first=GAO |date=December 2021 |title=Federal Agencies Should Improve Reporting and Review of Less Lethal Force |url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-22-104470.pdf }}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |title=Reports {{!}} Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of the Interior |url=https://www.doioig.gov/reports/all-reports |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=www.doioig.gov}}</ref> In June 2021, the Department of the Interior, Inspector General, issued its Review of U.S. Park Police Actions at Lafayette Park,<ref name=":0" /> and stated the Secret Service acted contrary to the operational plan and before the Park Police gave any dispersal warnings to the crowd.<ref name=":0" /> The Secret Service began advancing seven minutes before any dispersal order was given.<ref name=":0" />The early deployment increased tensions between law enforcement officers and protestors.<ref name=":0" />They faced resistance and used pepper spray in response to eggs and bottles being thrown at them.<ref name=":0" /> Park Police officers also began to clear the crowd before completing the final dispersal orders and 25 minutes before a planned curfew that was earlier announced by the mayor.<ref name=":0" /> Park Police commanders could not say who issued the order to deploy or why police radio transmissions were not recorded as required.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.oversight.gov/sites/default/files/oig-reports/DOI/SpecialReviewUSPPActionsAtLafayetteParkPublic.pdf|title=Review of U.S. Park Police Actions at Lafayette Park|accessdate=August 3, 2023}}</ref>

In July 2021, a unanimous jury awarded $730,000 in a police misconduct case against two Park Police officers for unlawfully detaining and taunting a man with their weapons while cursing at him despite having no suspicion of criminal activity on the man’s part.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jury Awards $730,000 in Police Misconduct Case Against Two United States Park Police Officers |url=https://www.relmanlaw.com/news-353 |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=www.relmanlaw.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

On September 9th, 2023, Mikhail Olson, a popular ] developer was arrested by United States Park Police Officers after a concealed unattended firearm was located at the Roblox Developer Conference at ] in ]. Officers also discovered an illegal large-capacity magazine and armor-piercing ammunition. Mikhail Olson attempted to evade the officers. He was booked into the San Francisco County Jail. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-11 |title=Roblox creator Simbuilder arrested at RDC 2023 for carrying concealed firearm |url=https://www.dexerto.com/roblox/roblox-creator-simbuilder-arrested-at-rdc-2023-for-carrying-concealed-firearm-2287412/ |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}</ref>

== Locations ==
Below is a partial list of areas policed by the United States Park Police.<ref name=speech />
* ]
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** ] – from the ] to the ]
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== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Sgt. McQuade, White House Policeman, holding a lost child.jpg|One of the "tragedies" of the Easter egg rolling at the ]. At one time Sgt. McQuade of the White House Police had eight youngsters who had strayed from their parents. All were safely returned April 17, 1922
Image:US Park Police.jpg|A discontinued ] ] used by the U.S. Park Police.
Image:US Park Police 1.jpg|A Polaris Ranger off-road vehicle that is used by the U.S. Park Police.
Image:U.S. Park Police in Judiciary Square.JPG|An officer from the U.S. Park Police Horse Mounted Unit
File:Park Police Helicopter.JPG|U.S. Park Police helicopter patrolling the ]
File:U.S. Park Police recruiting poster, 1989.png|USPP recruiting advertisement from 1989
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|United States}}
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==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
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{{Federal law enforcement agencies of the United States}}
{{Authority control}}

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Latest revision as of 22:03, 19 December 2024

Uniformed federal law enforcement agency

Not to be confused with National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers.Law enforcement agency
United States Park Police
Patch of the USPPPatch of the USPP
Seal of the United States Park PoliceSeal of the United States Park Police
Badge of a USPP officerBadge of a USPP officer
Flag of the United States Park PoliceFlag of the United States Park Police
Common nameU.S. Park Police
AbbreviationUSPP
MottoIntegrity, Honor, Service
Agency overview
FormedDecember 14, 1919; 105 years ago (1919-12-14)
Preceding agency
  • Park Watchmen (1791)
Jurisdictional structure
Federal agency
(Operations jurisdiction)
United States
Operations jurisdictionUnited States
Legal jurisdictionNational Park Service areas, primarily located in the Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and New York City areas and certain other government lands.
General nature
Specialist jurisdiction
  • Environment, parks, and/or heritage property.
Operational structure
HeadquartersWashington, D.C.
Sworn members605
Agency executive
  • Jessica Taylor, Chief
Parent agencyNational Park Service
Website
http://www.nps.gov/uspp/

The United States Park Police (USPP) is the oldest uniformed federal law enforcement agency in the United States. It functions as a full-service law enforcement agency with responsibilities and jurisdiction in those National Park Service areas primarily located in the Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and New York City areas and certain other government lands. United States Park Police officers have jurisdictional authority in the surrounding metropolitan areas of the three cities it primarily operates in, meaning they possess both state and federal authority. In addition to performing the normal crime prevention, investigation, and apprehension functions of an urban police force, the Park Police are responsible for policing many of the famous monuments in the United States.

The USPP shares law enforcement jurisdiction in all lands administered by the National Park Service with a force of National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers tasked with the same law enforcement powers and responsibilities. The agency also provides protection for the President, Secretary of the Interior, and visiting dignitaries. The Park Police is an operation of the National Park Service, which is an agency of the Department of the Interior. As of April 8, 2022, the force consisted of 494 officers.

History

USPP badge in 1903
U.S. Park Police in the early 20th century

The Park Watchmen were first recruited in 1791 by George Washington to protect federal property in the District of Columbia. The police functioned as an independent agency of the federal government until 1849, when it was placed under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior. In 1867, Congress transferred the police to the Office of Public Buildings and Grounds, under the supervision of the Chief of Engineers of the Army Corps of Engineers. The Watchmen were given the same powers and duties as the Metropolitan Police of Washington in 1882. Their name was officially changed to the present United States Park Police in 1919. In 1925, Congress placed the Park Police in the newly created Office of Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital. Headed by an Army officer, Lt. Col. Ulysses S. Grant III, the office reported directly to the President of the United States. In 1933, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt transferred the police to the National Park Service.

Their authority first began to expand outside D.C. in 1929, and today they are primarily responsible for the Gateway National Recreation Area units in New York City-New Jersey and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco, as well as the many designated areas in Washington, D.C., and the neighboring counties in Maryland and Virginia. These sites include the National Mall, the C&O Canal towpath in the region, and the parallel roadways of the George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia and Clara Barton Parkway in Maryland, as well as the federally maintained segment of the Baltimore Washington Parkway in Maryland.

The current sidearm is the SIG Sauer P320 which replaced the Heckler & Koch P2000 in service.

US Park Police Officer in Class A Dress Blouse

Authority

The force functions as a unit of the National Park Service with jurisdiction in all federal parks. U.S. Park Police officers are located in the Washington, DC, New York City, and San Francisco metropolitan areas, and investigate and detain persons suspected of committing offenses against the United States. Officers also carry out services for many notable events conducted in the national parks. The U.S. Park Police are able to effect an arrest without a warrant in any unit of the National Park System, the District of Columbia, and the environs of the District of Columbia.

Park Police have authority to follow a vehicle outside their jurisdiction if the offense was committed within the park. According to Park Police policy, lethal force can only be used when there is "imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm".

In Virginia, USPP Officers are provided with Conservator of the Peace powers as set forth in 19.2-12 of the Code of Virginia with powers and duties provided under 19.2-18 of the Code of Virginia. In Washington, D.C., itself, USPP Officers have the same powers and duties as the D.C. Metropolitan Police. USPP Officers possess a limited arrest authority in the State of Maryland. The U.S. Park Police hold state arrest authority in New York , and state arrest authority in New Jersey . In California, arrest powers are provided under California Penal Code Section 830.8. These state arrest powers are in addition to powers held as federal officers. The U.S. Park Police primarily enforce laws including but not limited to Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and other federal statutes such as 16 USC and 18 USC, as well as state and local laws.

Leadership

In September 2019, Gregory T. Monahan became acting chief of U.S. Park Police. Upon Monahan's appointment, former Chief Robert Maclean was promoted to Interior Department's Office of Law Enforcement and Security.

Districts

The United States Park Police operates patrol district stations in the New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., metropolitan areas.

U.S. Park Police officers are charged with protecting national icons such as the Statue of Liberty, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, and other well known monuments and memorials. This is accomplished through the Homeland Security Division, which consists of the Intelligence/Counter-Terrorism Unit, the New York field office, and the Icon Protection Branch, which consists of the Central District Station and Special Forces.

Specialized units

The U.S. Park Police manages a Marine Unit, an Aviation Unit, Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT), a Canine Unit, a Motorcycle Unit, a Special Events Unit, a Traffic Safety Unit, a Horse Mounted Unit and a Criminal Investigations Branch.

Aviation

U.S. Park Police helicopter, Washington, D.C., August 24, 2013.

The missions of the United States Park Police Aviation Unit include aviation support for law enforcement, medevac, search and rescue, high-risk prisoner transport and presidential and dignitary security. The Aviation Unit has provided accident-free, professional aviation services for over 40 years. They were the first helicopter provider of Air medical services within Washington, D.C, and continue to provide these services 24/7 to the district and neighboring jurisdictions. They also provide an invaluable resource for patrolling and performing rescues at the numerous federal parks and recreation areas within the National Capital Region, such as Great Falls Park and Shenandoah National Park. Like many park environments, injured parties in these remote and difficult to access locations require specialized rescue equipment to access and retrieve persons in distress. The US Park Police Aviation Unit is the primary resource for these remote rescues requiring helicopter access.

The Aviation Unit of the United States Park Police began in April 1973 and was placed under the command of Lt. Richard T. Chittick. It started with one Bell 206B JetRanger and a staff of three pilots and three rescue technicians based at the Anacostia Naval Air Station in a shared space with the MPD Aviation Branch. A second helicopter, a Bell 206B-3 JetRanger, was added in 1975 and the unit relocated to Andrews AFB. The Aviation Unit moved to its present facility in Anacostia Park, the "Eagle's Nest," in 1976. In 1983, the 206B-3 was upgraded to a Bell206L-3 LongRanger. Their first twin-engine helicopter, a Bell 412SP, and the third helicopter to carry the designation "Eagle One," was placed in service in January 1991. The unit grew to its current staff, and began providing 24-hour coverage in January 1994.

In August 1999, the unit took delivery of its second twin-engine helicopter, a Bell 412EP. It became the fourth helicopter in the unit's history to carry the designation "Eagle One" and the same registration number as that of an earlier aircraft whose crew affected the rescue of victims after the crash of Air Florida Flight 90. In May 2016, the unit received a replacement for "Eagle Two" with a used & reconditioned Bell 412EP to replace the aging aircraft delivered in 1991.

The crews of U.S. Park Police Aviation resources are frequently called to assist at significant and historical disasters and emergency incidents throughout the National Capital Region. These incidents include the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon, the D.C. sniper attacks throughout the region, the 1982 crashing of Air Florida Flight 90, and the 2013 Washington Navy Yard shooting. During the June 2017 Congressional baseball shooting, the crews of U.S. Park Police Aviation responded with two helicopters and transported Congressman Steve Scalise and a U.S. Capitol Police Officer to the trauma center at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Organization and rank structure

Organization chart of the USPP
Title Insignia
Chief of Police
Assistant Chief
Deputy Chief
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
Sergeant
Private/Investigator N/A

Notable events

In January 1982 USPP helicopter pilot Don Usher and his partner Gene Windsor saved the lives of five passengers from the Air Florida Flight 90 crash. Usher and Windsor, at great risk to themselves and lacking a winch or any sort of rescue equipment, flew their Bell 206 "Eagle Two" inches above the frozen Potomac River to pull the survivors from the 34°F (1.1°C) water before depositing them ashore for waiting ambulance crews. At one point, Usher flew the helicopter so close to the river that the skids went below the water as Windsor stood on them to tie a rescue line around surviving flight attendant Kelly Duncan, who couldn't grip the life preserver thrown to her due to hypothermia. She was lifted to shore after spending 25 minutes in the freezing river.

In December 1982, Norman Mayer threatened to blow up the Washington Monument with a truck he said contained explosives. A standoff with U.S. Park police began at 9:20 in the morning. It ended ten hours later after the suspect backed up the truck, then surged forward. Police fired dozens of shots at the tires and engine block, overturning the van. One of the bullets ricocheted and fatally struck Mayer in the head. No explosives were found in the van.

In 1989, Officers David Duffey and William Lovegrove rescued two people in the Glen Echo Flood after a parking lot collapsed.

In 1990, Officer Katherine Heller was at Lafayette Park when she was approached by a man who had been assaulted. After Heller radioed a description of the attacker, another Park Police officer, Scott Dahl, spotted a man matching the description and approached him. The alleged assailant began fighting with the officer and wrested the officer's service pistol away from him. Heller approached and shot the man in the chest. For this act of valor, Heller was named Police Officer of the Year by Parade Magazine and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. She was the first U.S. Park Police officer, and the first female officer, to receive the IACP award.

In 1993, officers of the Park Police rescued passengers of the Golden Venture ship, which had run aground on the beach at Fort Tilden in Rockaway, Queens. Park police officers were the first to arrive on the scene. After calling for backup, they ran into the ocean and pulled survivors from the cold water.

In 1994 Park Police shot and killed a homeless man on the sidewalk in front of the White House. The man was brandishing a large hunting knife taped to his hand and refused to surrender during a confrontation with the officers.

The two helicopters of the U.S. Park Police played an important role after the September 11 attacks on the Pentagon. The crews responded immediately, transporting injured personnel to hospitals. The helicopters served as a command and control platform, using their Forward Looking Infrared equipment to provide firefighters with intelligence about the scope and spread of the fire through the five rings of the structure, and taking over air traffic control for the Washington, D.C., airspace after the controllers at Washington National Airport had to evacuate due to thick smoke.

In 2011, U.S. Park Police conducted an investigation after the arrest of five dancers at the Jefferson Memorial. In a video posted to YouTube, Park Police appeared to body slam and choke an individual who was silently dancing. The dance was in protest of the ban on dancing at memorials.

U.S. Park Police played a role in the Washington Navy Yard shooting on September 16, 2013. Two U.S. Park Police officers, Andrew Wong and Carl Hiott, were involved in the response. The shooter was killed by D.C. Police Emergency Response Team officer Dorian DeSantis, who took fire, and a U.S Park Police Officer. U.S. Park Police Eagle 1 also conducted a rescue mission and removed an injured shooting victim from the roof of building 197 along with three other survivors ultimately saving their lives.

In 2014, Park Police launched a crackdown on food truck operators. Park Police handcuffed food vendors who were selling to tourists on the National Mall. Vendors suggested that the enforcement was to protect the revenue from the government's food stands. By September 2014, Park Police had arrested 196 people over the year for vending without a license on the mall, some of whom were jailed.

In 2015, U.S. Park Police detained an on-duty Secret Service special agent who was part of a detail for US Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson. The Park Police were sued following the incident for violating the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable seizures.

In 2016, Park Police aggressively enforced traffic regulations outside Arlington National Cemetery. Officers hid behind bushes to catch cabdrivers picking up passengers, claiming that idling cars were parked. Charges brought by the Park Police were dropped on appeal.

In 2017, Park Police handcuffed teens who were selling water on the National Mall. DC Councilmember Charles Allen asked whether arresting the teens was the appropriate response.

In November 2017, Park Police shot and killed Bijan Ghaisar, an unarmed Virginia man after a hit and run and three separate vehicle pursuits. More than eight months after the incident, Park Police provided no explanation for the killing. According to a lawsuit filed by the family, it was twelve hours following the incident before the family learned that Park Police were involved. Two days after the shooting, Park Police Chief Robert MacLean met with the family. MacLean offered condolences but provided no information about what had happened. The Ghaisar family was not allowed to touch their son for three days following the incident, when he was guarded by the department's officers. According to the family, when a doctor arrived to examine Ghaisar for organ donation, the Park Police denied access, declaring the brain-dead man "under arrest" and his body "evidence." More than nine months after the incident, Chief MacLean refused to speak to media about the incident, while Fairfax County Police, who filmed the shooting, said that the episode showed that greater transparency was needed. After more than a year and in response to a lawsuit, US Park Police named the shooters as officers Lucas Vinyard and Alejandro Amaya. The incident was not captured on a body cam, since Park Police are forbidden from wearing body cameras while on the job. In a 2015 memo written by Chief MacLean, he told the entire force not to use any audio or video recorders "while on duty". MacLean claimed that the lack of a department-wide policy justified the ban on cameras. Following the shooting, in 2018 DC Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton introduced a bill to require uniformed federal police officers to wear body cameras and have dashboard cameras in marked vehicles. The legislation was directly in response to Ghaisar's death. Chief MacLean backed out of a scheduled meeting with Holmes Norton and Representative Don Beyer to discuss the matter, prompting Holmes Norton to make a statement to "express our astonishment" at his absence. More than two years after the killing, Park Police had not launched an internal investigation into the matter or released recordings of the 911 calls the Park Police received.

In 2019, the sexual assault of a female Park Police officer by her male colleague two years earlier was disclosed. The attack occurred inside a Park Police station. Despite a protection order requiring 100 yards of distance between the two officers, Park Police continued to assign the officers to roles where they might be in contact. The assaulting officer was not suspended or terminated.

Main article: Donald Trump photo-op at St. John's Church

On June 1, 2020, USPP officers cleared the streets bordering Lafayette Park, DC of protesters on the order of Attorney General William Barr. Reporting news crews, Rev. Gini Gerbasi of St. John's Episcopal, and many protesters noted the use of tear gas, flashbangs, and rubber bullets to disperse the peaceful crowds. Park Police officers on foot, and mounted on horseback, used riot gear such as batons and shields to drive assembled crowds further away from the park. The USPP released a statement that stated "no tear gas was used" by any law enforcement agency during the incident. Media subsequently reported that USPP assaulted the protesters with pepper spray canisters, which were found at the scene. Australian journalists who were reporting live from the scene were assaulted by Park Police during the operation. The incident prompted a diplomatic complaint by the Australian government. Two park police officers were assigned to administrative duties. This specific incident was referred to the Department of the Interior’s Office of the Inspector General but that investigation was still ongoing as of August 2021 and no relevant report currently appears on the OIG website. In June 2021, the Department of the Interior, Inspector General, issued its Review of U.S. Park Police Actions at Lafayette Park, and stated the Secret Service acted contrary to the operational plan and before the Park Police gave any dispersal warnings to the crowd. The Secret Service began advancing seven minutes before any dispersal order was given.The early deployment increased tensions between law enforcement officers and protestors.They faced resistance and used pepper spray in response to eggs and bottles being thrown at them. Park Police officers also began to clear the crowd before completing the final dispersal orders and 25 minutes before a planned curfew that was earlier announced by the mayor. Park Police commanders could not say who issued the order to deploy or why police radio transmissions were not recorded as required.

In July 2021, a unanimous jury awarded $730,000 in a police misconduct case against two Park Police officers for unlawfully detaining and taunting a man with their weapons while cursing at him despite having no suspicion of criminal activity on the man’s part.

On September 9th, 2023, Mikhail Olson, a popular Roblox developer was arrested by United States Park Police Officers after a concealed unattended firearm was located at the Roblox Developer Conference at Fort Mason in San Francisco, California. Officers also discovered an illegal large-capacity magazine and armor-piercing ammunition. Mikhail Olson attempted to evade the officers. He was booked into the San Francisco County Jail.

Locations

Below is a partial list of areas policed by the United States Park Police.

Gallery

  • One of the "tragedies" of the Easter egg rolling at the White House. At one time Sgt. McQuade of the White House Police had eight youngsters who had strayed from their parents. All were safely returned April 17, 1922 One of the "tragedies" of the Easter egg rolling at the White House. At one time Sgt. McQuade of the White House Police had eight youngsters who had strayed from their parents. All were safely returned April 17, 1922
  • A discontinued Chevrolet Impala police car used by the U.S. Park Police. A discontinued Chevrolet Impala police car used by the U.S. Park Police.
  • A Polaris Ranger off-road vehicle that is used by the U.S. Park Police. A Polaris Ranger off-road vehicle that is used by the U.S. Park Police.
  • An officer from the U.S. Park Police Horse Mounted Unit An officer from the U.S. Park Police Horse Mounted Unit
  • U.S. Park Police helicopter patrolling the National Mall U.S. Park Police helicopter patrolling the National Mall
  • USPP recruiting advertisement from 1989 USPP recruiting advertisement from 1989

See also

References

  1. ^ "Park Police Chief Retires". doi.gov. April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
  2. "Press Releases - United States Park Police (U.S. National Park Service)".
  3. "Department of the Interior (DOI) Law Enforcement Programs". Congressional Research Service. December 22, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  4. Farabee, Charles R. (2003). National Park Ranger: An American Icon. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 121. ISBN 9781570983924.
  5. United States Congressional serial set, Issue 5145. The Library of Congress. 1907. p. 2125.
  6. United States. National Park Service (1999). The White House and President's Park, Comprehensive Design Plan: Environmental Impact Statement. Northwestern University. p. 448.
  7. Maion, Nancy (2015). Federal Law Enforcement Agencies in America. Wolters Kluwer Law & Business. p. 66. ISBN 9781454858775.
  8. "United States Park Police". U.S. National Park Service. August 10, 2018. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  9. "Jurisdiction and Authority". U.S. National Park Service. August 10, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  10. Jackman, Tom (January 24, 2018). "Video shows Park Police fired nine shots into Bijan Ghaisar's Jeep at close range, killing him". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  11. "Legislative Information System". Leg1.state.va.us. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  12. "Legislative Information System". Leg1.state.va.us. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  13. Jackman, Tom (September 13, 2019). "Police union says new Park Police chief arranged for criminal cases to be dropped". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  14. "Jurisdiction and Authority". USPP. National Park Service.
  15. "Homeland Security Division". USPP. National Park Service.
  16. "Specialized Units". USPP. National Park Service.
  17. "Air medical providers". Doh.dc.gov. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  18. "Elite National Park Service Helicopter Unit Marks Forty Years of Service". National Parks Traveler.
  19. "Aviation to receive a 'New' Eagle". Usppfop.org. May 25, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  20. ^ Goldberg, Alfred; Papadopoulos, Sarandis; Putney, Diane; Berlage, Nancy; Welch, Rebecca (April 2, 2007). Pentagon 9/11 (Kindle ed.). Defense Dept., Office of the Secretary, Historical Office. pp. 1172, 2527, 2536. ISBN 978-0-16-078328-9.
  21. "D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray Says At Least 13 Dead In Navy Yard Shooting". US News & World Report. September 16, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  22. Mullins, Luke (May 28, 2018). "The Terrifying Story of the Congressional Baseball Shooting". Washingtonian.
  23. Job, Macarthur (March 1996). Air Disaster (Volume 2 ed.). Melbourne, Victoria: Aerospace Publications Pty. Ltd. pp. 87–88. ISBN 1875671196.
  24. Dicus, Howard (January 13, 1992). "Ten years after a jet headed to sunny Florida..." UPI.
  25. SHRIBMAN, David (December 9, 1982). "MAN SLAIN IN CAPITAL MONUMENT THREAT". The New York Times.
  26. McCabe, Scott (December 8, 2009). "CRIME HISTORY - Man killed at Washington Monument". Washington Examiner.
  27. Latimer, Leah Y. (May 7, 1989). "63 VEHICLES TAKE PLUNGE AS PARKING LOT COLLAPSES". The Washington Post.
  28. Buckley, Stephen (February 23, 1990). "MAN SLAIN BY POLICE IN LAFAYETTE SQUARE". The Washington Post.
  29. Hoberock, Barbara (October 10, 1990). "U.S. Parks Officer Honored By Police Chiefs, Magazine". Tulsa World.
  30. "POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR HONOREES". International Association of Chiefs of Police.
  31. "RESCUES FROM THE ATLANTIC: THE GOLDEN VENTURE INCIDENT - Fire Engineering". December 3, 2021. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  32. Keefe, Patrick Radden (April 16, 2006). "The Snakehead". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
  33. Duggan, Paul (December 21, 1994). "HOMELESS MAN SHOT IN FRONT OF WHITE HOUSE". The Washington Times.
  34. "Homeless Man Shot Near the White House Dies". The New York Times. December 22, 1994.
  35. Gabbert, Bill (December 1, 2018). "National Park Service helicopters played vital role on 9/11". Fire Aviation.
  36. McDonnell, Janet (2004). The National Park Service: Responding to the September 11 Terrorist Attacks (PDF). United States. National Park Service. pp. 19–24.
  37. Goldman, Russell (May 30, 2011). "Park Police Investigate Arrests for Dancing at Jefferson Memorials". ABC News. Washington DC. Retrieved May 30, 2011.
  38. Hermann, Peter (September 14, 2014). "Officer who shot Navy Yard gunman says it 'needed to be done'". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  39. "For Park Police pilot Ken Burchell, Navy Yard shooting was unlike any other rescue mission". WTKR.com. September 18, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2018.
  40. Shapira, Ian (July 8, 2014). "Park Police Investigate Park police cracking down on Mall food trucks". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  41. Carman, Tim (September 23, 2014). "Food trucks on the Mall? Stationary vendors worry about the impending competition". Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  42. "DC Food Truck Vendor Jailed For Parking At Mall". September 23, 2014. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  43. Flynn, Meagan (June 18, 2019). "Park Police detained an on-duty Secret Service agent. He says it was because he's black". The Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  44. Shapira, Ian (February 11, 2016). "A taxi driver's standoff with U.S. Park Police outside Arlington National Cemetery". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  45. Williams, Janice (June 24, 2017). "POLICE IN WASHINGTON D.C. ARREST BLACK TEENS FOR SELLING WATER BOTTLES, BECAUSE 'SAFETY'". Washington DC. Retrieved June 24, 2017.
  46. ^ Tom Jackman; Michael Brice-Saddler (August 3, 2018). "Family of accountant shot dead by U.S. Park Police officers files $25 million lawsu=it". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
  47. Wagner, Paul (August 9, 2018). "US Park Police chief confronted about deadly shooting of Bijan Ghaisar". Fox News. Washington DC. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  48. Nadeem, Reem (March 29, 2019). "Family's lawsuit IDs Park Police officers who shot unarmed Va. driver". WTOP. Washington DC. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
  49. Green, Miranda (April 25, 2018). "Park Police officers were forbidden from wearing body cameras: memo". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  50. "Bijan Ghaisar's family and friends push for answers in US Park Police shooting death". Fox 5. Washington DC. January 26, 2018. Retrieved January 26, 2018.
  51. Jackman, Tom (February 13, 2018). "After Ghaisar killing, Park Police chief backs out of meeting on bill requiring body cams". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  52. Jackman, Tom (December 2, 2019). "After Ghaisar killing, Park Police chief backs out of meeting on bill requiring body cams". Washington Post. Washington DC. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  53. Satterfield, Kolbie (September 20, 2019). "US Park Police Officer speaks out after she says she was sexually assaulted by fellow officer". WUSA 9. Washington DC. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  54. "Park Police: 'No tear gas was used' to move protesters away from White House". Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  55. Baca, Nathan (June 3, 2020). "U.S. Park Police said they didn't fire tear gas Monday; here's what was shot at protesters". WUSA. Washington DC. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  56. "The U.S. Park Police's reputation is in tatters". WUSA. Washington DC. June 17, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  57. Government Accountability Office, GAO (December 2021). "Federal Agencies Should Improve Reporting and Review of Less Lethal Force" (PDF).
  58. "Reports | Office of Inspector General, U.S. Department of the Interior". www.doioig.gov. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  59. ^ "Review of U.S. Park Police Actions at Lafayette Park" (PDF). Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  60. "Jury Awards $730,000 in Police Misconduct Case Against Two United States Park Police Officers". www.relmanlaw.com. Retrieved October 11, 2022.
  61. "Roblox creator Simbuilder arrested at RDC 2023 for carrying concealed firearm". Dexerto. September 11, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2024.

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