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4/7/2022 -Report dated 3/12/2020 titled, "PIVOTING INTO THE FUTURE" - Unpublished report prepared by the U. S. Park Police Executive Staff about serious safety issues. REPORT RELEASE PROHIBITED BY THE NPS.

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4/7/2022 -Report dated 3/12/2020 titled, "PIVOTING INTO THE FUTURE" - Unpublished report prepared by the U. S. Park Police Executive Staff about serious safety issues. REPORT RELEASE PROHIBITED BY THE NPS.

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The document confirms the existence of the serious problems facing United States Park Police Officers, reported by the USPPFOP, over the last four decades. For comparison, read our 2022 Safety Grievance and our 2018 Safety Grievance. If you review this timeline further, you'll see additional evidence that the National Park Service has ignored, suppressed, and consistently failed to address the problems with its law enforcement operations. For many decades, the individuals chosen to lead the National Park Service have been unable to professionally run their law enforcement program. Perhaps the NPS should explain why the Park Police has roughly the same number of officers as it did in 1976, which stands in stark contrast to the substantial expansion of the United States Capitol Police and the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division.

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4/7/2022- USPPFOP Safety Grievance Filed with the USPP Chief on 4/7/2022

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4/7/2022- USPPFOP Safety Grievance Filed with the USPP Chief on 4/7/2022

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This grievance highlights many of the same safety and operational readiness issues highlighted in the 2018 safety grievance, such as Vehicle Barriers on the National Mall, etc.

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Hearing Report for the 1988 Pay Raise for the USPP and the USSS-UD - Bill Clinton was President.

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8/3/2022- USPPFOP Submits Testimony to the DOI Law Enforcement Task Force- 

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8/3/2022- USPPFOP Submits Testimony to the DOI Law Enforcement Task Force- 

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On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, the USPPFOP submitted testimony to the United States Department of the Interior Law Enforcement Task Force. The document that was submitted can be viewed below. Click on ...

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Testimony Submitted to DOI Law Enforcement Task Force

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On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, the USPPFOP submitted testimony to the United States Department of the Interior Law Enforcement Task Force. The document that was submitted can be viewed below. Click on…

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5/9/2017- PEER Press Release -U.S. Park Police Force Levels Dropping – Especially in DC

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5/9/2017- PEER Press Release -U.S. Park Police Force Levels Dropping – Especially in DC

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U.S. Park Police Force Levels Dropping - Especially in DC

Fewer Park Police Despite Record Visitation and Anti-Trump Demonstrations

Washington, DC - The thin blue line protecting our national icons and most visitors to our nation's capital is getting thinner, according to U.S. Park Police staffing figures released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). The number of Park Police sworn officers is at the lowest point in nearly a decade and down more than 15% in the Washington Metro Area just since 2010.

Established by George Washington in 1791, the U.S. Park Police is our first federal constabulary. It provides security for the Statue of Liberty and other assets in New York Harbor, as well as the Presidio and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the most heavily visited national park unit, in San Francisco. But the Park Police play an outsized role in the District of Columbia, providing security for visitors, monuments and other park facilities occupying nearly 70% of DC's total land area.

Despite these far-flung responsibilities, the number of Park Police officers has shrunk from 652 in Fiscal Year 2010 to just 583 in 2016. The number based in the DC area has dropped from 466 to 406 in the same period. At the same time -

Visitation to DC-area park units has been at record levels, topping more than 40 million a year;

The presidential inauguration of Donald Trump has sparked repeated massive demonstrations, usually met with counter-demonstrations, with no sign of let-up; and

In 2015, the last year for which the Park Police had statistics, these little more than 400 DC-based officers responded to more than 25,000 incidents, ranging from traffic accidents to poaching, nearly 50,000 search-rescues and other requests and nearly 4,500 crimes, ranging from robberies and drunk driving to assaults and vandalism.

"The U.S. Park Police are at a low ebb while facing a rising tide," stated PEER Executive Director Jeff Ruch, noting that the U.S. Park Police may also be facing cuts under emerging Trump budget plans. "In recent years, this force has not had the personnel to match its mission and that gap is only growing larger."

In contrast to shrinking force levels in the DC area, the number of sworn officers in the New York and San Francisco field offices have remained relatively steady. In addition to its other duties, the Park Police DC office provides personal security for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke who borrowed a USPP horse to ride to work on his first full day in office.

PEER had to file a lawsuit to obtain updated figures it requested last August under the Freedom of Information Act. The last annual report available from the agency is for 2013.

"This information should be routinely posted in a timely manner," added Ruch. "The Park Police apparently does not have enough staff to handle routine information requests."

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Look at declining Park Police force levels, both nationally and in DC View 2015 Park Police workload in DC Metro Area Examine USPP annual reports 2011-13
See parallel decline in national park law enforcement rangers

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U.S. Park Police Force Levels Dropping - Especially in DC - PEER.org

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Washington, DC - The thin blue line protecting our national icons and most visitors to our nation's capital is getting thinner, according to U.S. Park Police staffing figures released today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER).

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PEER Testimony -Highly Recomended Reading: <<<<<      >>>>>

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PEER Testimony -Highly Recomended Reading: <<<<<      >>>>>

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PEER's testimony to DOI LE Task Force validates the USPPFOP's decades-long position that the lack of United States Park Police (USPP) operational readiness has for many years placed the public and officers in needless danger.  The USPP's severe understaffing, its lack of needed equipment, and its lack of resources for required training, combined with NPS Executives who are unqualified to lead the Service's Law Enforcement Program, is a recipe for disaster.   Over the last five years, many critical incidents have clearly demonstrated that being prepared to swiftly and effectively respond gives the best chance to mitigate the consequences. We must correct these deficiencies without delay.

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7/19/2022- Read PEER’s Testimony to the DOI Law Enforcement Task Force it Confirms the USPP is: Dangerously Understaffed – Poorly Equipped – Badly Led by the NPS

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7/19/2022- Read PEER’s Testimony to the DOI Law Enforcement Task Force it Confirms the USPP is: Dangerously Understaffed – Poorly Equipped – Badly Led by the NPS

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Quote: "From what we have seen, Interior law enforcement agencies have all but abandoned efforts to assess its law enforcement needs."

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Read PEER's Testimony to the DOI Law Enforcement Task Force it Confirms the USPP is: Dangerously Understaffed - Poorly Equipped - Badly Led by the NPS

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The testimony of the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) to the DOI Law Enforcement Task Force plainly states that there are serious problems with the Department's Law Enforcement Programs. A snippet: "Thus, between its cadre of national park rangers and USPP, NPS has a substantial law enforcement force that has lacked experienced professional leadership...

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7/15/2022- Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) Testimony Restoring Professionalism and Effectiveness to Interior Law Enforcement Program

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7/15/2022- Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) Testimony Restoring Professionalism and Effectiveness to Interior Law Enforcement Program

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"PEER's main message to this Task Force is that failures in DOI's law enforcement programs do not occur in isolation. Until issues of leadership, oversight, and support are addressed, in our view, little will change."

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07/17/2022- Weekend Calls Again Swamp Severely Understaffed USPP - Two Lts Step Up to Fill Gap

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07/17/2022- Weekend Calls Again Swamp Severely Understaffed USPP - Two Lts Step Up to Fill Gap

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Pretty much every USPP shift is short of minimum staffing. Saturday evening around 8:00 p.m. (July 17, 2022) in the United States Park Police East District in Washington, DC, there was a reported stabbing on the Suitland Parkway. Evidently, someone stabbed someone else in a vehicle traveling on the parkway. The stabbing aftermath caused the vehicle to crash. (Update: Two vehicles had been involved in a crash and the operators got into a fight during which one of them was stabbed.) Responding units from D-5 had to deal with the crime scene investigation, the arrest of the stabber, and transporting the victim to the hospital. This incident tied up all the units in D-5. There were only two units in D-4, and they were busy responding to multiple calls. (Addition: There were only two units in D-5 (Car 511 & Car 512), and they were being supervised by a Sergeant from another District.)

Around the same time, Central District Officers responded to an assault on Haines Point. An injured suspect was transported to a hospital. To guard this suspect required that an officer protecting one of the monuments be reassigned, degrading the monument's security.

Around 9:30 p.m., a call for a shooting on Anacostia Drive went out with no D-5 units available to respond. Car 111 responded to the scene and reported a fatality with an extensive crime scene. The DC Metropolitan Police were called to investigate. All the East Districts' (D-4 and D-5) units were tied up, and calls for them were backing up. The Shift Commander had two D-1 sergeants respond to assist Car 111.

Sometime during this time period, a call went out to have off-duty units with home-to-work vehicles come in to assist. Unfortunately, the two East District privates with vehicles were out of the area on approved extended leave.

Thankfully, two lieutenants with home-to-work vehicles stepped up and responded in to handle calls in District 5 until things settled down. The USPPFOP is thankful for these officials who clearly care deeply for the safety of the public and their officers.

Ignoring reality will no longer be tolerated. The U. S. Park Police is dangerously understaffed. The evidence confirming this truth is vast and spans decades. (See Evidence) We will not sit back and step lightly around topics that may upset our bosses. We will continue taking steps to ensure the USPP gets the staffing and equipment required for safe and effective law enforcement operations. We will continue aggressively spreading the truth about the USPP's unsafe operational readiness. Hoping things get better and complaining to each other won't accomplish a thing. Hope alone is far too frail a vessel to place the safety of park visitors and officers.

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Weekend Calls Again Swamp Severely Understaffed USPP - Two Lts Step Up to Fill Gap

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Pretty much every USPP shift is short of minimum staffing. Saturday evening around 8:00 p.m. (July 17, 2022) in the United States Park Police East District in Washington, DC, there was a reported stabbing on the Suitland Parkway. Evidently, someone stabbed someone else in a vehicle traveling on the parkway.

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07/11/2022- Chief's Shrinking Cruiser Fleet Plan- Reduces Mobility of Severely Understaffed USPP - Endangers Safe OPS - Appears Retaliatory

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07/11/2022- Chief's Shrinking Cruiser Fleet Plan- Reduces Mobility of Severely Understaffed USPP - Endangers Safe OPS - Appears Retaliatory

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Chief's Shrinking Cruiser Fleet Plan- Reduces Mobility of Severely Understaffed USPP - Endangers Safe OPS - Appears Retaliatory

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LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN TO ALL USPPFOP MEMBERS:

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07/08/2022- USPP Chief Glosses Over Severe Understaffing - Assures Rep. Norton USPP is "prepared" for "emergencies"

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07/08/2022- USPP Chief Glosses Over Severe Understaffing - Assures Rep. Norton USPP is "prepared" for "emergencies"

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On March 2, 2022, Rep. Norton wrote the U. S. Park Police (USPP) requesting they expand the Force's Home-to-Work (HTWVP) vehicle program. Rep. Norton did this because she is aware that:

Currently the USPP has fewer Officers than it had in 1975.

That this dangerously low staffing severely limits the Force's ability to swiftly and effectively respond to critical incidents. (e.g., Riots, Terrorist Attacks, Active Shooters, Crash Investigations, etc.)

Swift and effective responses offer the best chance to mitigate the consequences of critical incidents.

Providing every USPP officer with a Home-to-Work vehicle would permit them to respond directly from home to the scene of a critical incident. This would greatly speed the response because officers would not have to stop to gear up at the stations. This is vital as the USPP has for some time lacked sufficient on-duty officers to respond effectively to critical incidents.

Rep. Norton asked for the USPP to respond by March 16, 2022. On May 13, 2022, the USPP was finally able to provide a one page reply.

In the portion of the USPP letter concerning Home-to-Work Vehicles Chief Stock stated:
"The use of government vehicles is controlled by several laws and regulations to ensure the best use of any taxpayer dollars and government property. In addition to ensuring that any decisions we make regarding government vehicles meets the letter and spirit of the law, we must ensure we are making fiscally responsible and sustainable decisions with our funding." Notice how Chief Stock avoids mentioning or discussing how the USPP and many other Federal agencies already justify and provide vehicles to their officers.
The next paragraph of the USPP letter concerns staffing. Chief Stock states:
" We appreciate your strong interest in how the USPP responds to emergencies in the District of Columbia and can assure you we are prepared for these events. We have regularly scheduled coordination meetings with Federal, state, and local partner agencies to ensure the residents and visitors in the National Capital Region are protected." In this paragraph Chief Stock dismisses the mountain of evidence supporting the assertion that the USPP is Dangerously Understaffed. The NPS and the USPP's reliance on "partner" agencies to save the day won't work too well if our "partners" have their own problems on that day. Every day the USPP remains severely understaffed is a risky gamble with people's lives. History has repeatedly demonstrated that having effective response forces, that are properly equipped saves lives. The ability to swiftly respond, quickly end the threat and immediately start treating casualties is critical. NOTE: These two letters can be viewed further down on this page.
Here is a timeline that provides detailed evidence of the NPS Neglect of the USPP's Mission going back to about 1995:
DIRECT LINK TO TIMELINE SITE
Here is a short video outlining the evidence of the USPP's Dangerous Understaffing, while this video addresses the San Francisco Office, the bulk of the statements apply to all USPP Areas:

Letters:

Rep. Norton to USPP - USPP to Rep. Norton

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USPP Chief Glosses Over Severe Understaffing - Assures Rep. Norton USPP is "prepared" for "emergencies"

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On March 2, 2022, Rep. Norton wrote the U. S. Park Police (USPP) requesting they expand the Force's Home-to-Work (HTWVP) vehicle program. Rep. Norton did this because she is aware that: Currently the USPP has fewer Officers than it had in 1975.That this dangerously low staffing severely limits the Force's ability to swiftly and effectively...

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07/07/2022- A Severe Storm, Extreme USPP Understaffing, and No NPS Support Recklessly Endangered the Public

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07/07/2022- A Severe Storm, Extreme USPP Understaffing, and No NPS Support Recklessly Endangered the Public

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A Severe Storm, Extreme USPP Understaffing, and No NPS Support Recklessly Endangered the Public

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On July 7, 2022, the following letter was sent to Acting Chief Stock detailing the hazardous conditions and insisting that immediate action be taken to fix the hazardous conditions that routinely and recklessly place the public and officers in harm's way:

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7/7/2022- Union presses Park Police chief on staffing levels

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7/7/2022- Union presses Park Police chief on staffing levels

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Union presses Park Police chief on staffing levels

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A labor union representing United States Park Police officers sent a letter urging for more changes involving staffing levels within the department amid incidents occurring in the Washington, D.C.,…

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7/7/2022- US Park Police union details dangerous conditions, demands staffing increase | WTOP News

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7/7/2022- US Park Police union details dangerous conditions, demands staffing increase | WTOP News

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US Park Police union details dangerous conditions, demands staffing increase - WTOP News

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The U.S. Park Police union believes the department doesn’t have enough staff or support from the National Park Service to do its job

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7/1/2022- DOI IG Report about USPP Failure to Record Radio Traffic

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7/1/2022- DOI IG Report about USPP Failure to Record Radio Traffic

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"We found that, notwithstanding DOI requirements, the USPP failed to record radio communications from its admin channel from October 2018 through June 2020 and from its special event channel from at least March 2018 through August 2020. In contrast, we found that the USPP continuously recorded radio communications from its primary dispatch channel and dispatch center phone lines from 2018 through August 2020, when the analog recorder was replaced."

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Park Police radio channels unrecorded for years, watchdog says

Failed recording system was discovered after officers violently cleared protesters from Lafayette Square in 2020

Posted July 6, 2022 at 5:56pm

The U.S. Park Police for years did not record radio communications on audio channels it used to operate and coordinate between officers, a violation of federal and department policies, an independent watchdog said Wednesday.

In a report, the Interior Department's inspector general said the Park Police did not record communications on two of the three primary radio channels the agency uses: its "admin" channel and its "special event" channel.

The Park Police did not record radio communications on the admin channel from October 2018 through June 2020 or on its special event channel between March 2018 and August 2020, according to the inspector general.

The inspector general found that the police agency discovered this void in record keeping after a Park Police official requested audio recordings of the protests against police violence in and around the White House, including in Lafayette Park, between May 29 and June 3, 2020, and was informed some audio recordings of the events during that period did not exist.

Responsible for patrolling sites of national importance in and around Washington, the Park Police has been under public scrutiny since some of its officers along with officers from other law enforcement agencies violently cleared largely peaceful protesters from Lafayette Park on June 1, 2020.

[Invisible to most Americans, Park Police now in the spotlight]

Neither the Interior Department nor the Park Police responded to requests for comment. A spokeswoman for the House Natural Resources Committee, which has said it is running its own investigations of the police actions on that day, did not respond to a request for comment either.

Settlement

The Park Police and the U.S. Secret Service, which also had officers present that day, reached a settlement in April over their officers' actions in connection with those demonstrations.

Both agencies said they would update their policies governing protests.

The inspector general said it did not determine that the recording failure on June 1, 2020, was intentional.

"We also did not find evidence suggesting that the USPP deliberately used the admin radio channel to communicate on June 1 because anyone had actual knowledge the channel was not recording," the report says.

At a congressional hearing in July 2020, the former chief of the agency, Gregory Monahan, defended Park Police officers' tactics, describing the demonstration as "one of the most violent" he had seen. At that hearing, he also said audio recordings of the police activities on June 1 were missing.

A Park Police officer, a commander who is not named in the report, said in a June 2020 email reviewed by the inspector general that the void in audio recordings stripped the agency of potential evidence.

"To not have the events over the past week recorded will go down as one of the biggest critical failures possible. Using that information for evidence and after-action review is critical," the officer wrote to other Park Police personnel, according to the report.

Recording radio and phone communication can be useful in emergency situations, the inspector general said.

"For example, USPP personnel told us that dispatchers need the ability to instantly playback recordings of radio communications or phone calls in emergency situations where a caller cannot repeat what was said," the inspector general said in its report.

"Radio and phone recordings are also frequently used as evidence in investigations and prosecutions," the report says. "USPP personnel stated that the recordings are an important tool for dispatch center supervisors to monitor dispatcher performance, resolve complaints from the public, and analyze radio reception issues across the USPP's area of responsibility."

The inspector general said beyond reading emails and other documents, its staff interviewed more than 35 active and former officials and contractors at Interior to complete the report.

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Park Police radio channels unrecorded for years, watchdog says - Roll Call

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Posted July 6, 2022 at 5:56pm The U.S. Park Police for years did not record radio communications on audio channels it used to operate and coordinate between officers, a violation of federal and department policies, an independent watchdog said Wednesday.

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07/07/2022- A SEVERE STORM, EXTREME USPP UNDERSTAFFING, AND NO NPS SUPPORT RECKLESSLY ENDANGERED THE PUBLIC

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07/07/2022- A SEVERE STORM, EXTREME USPP UNDERSTAFFING, AND NO NPS SUPPORT RECKLESSLY ENDANGERED THE PUBLIC

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A Severe Storm, Extreme USPP Understaffing, and No NPS Support Recklessly Endangered the Public

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On July 7, 2022, the following letter was sent to Acting Chief Stock detailing the hazardous conditions and insisting that immediate action be taken to fix the hazardous conditions that routinely and recklessly place the public and officers in harm's way:

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06/27/2022DOI SECRETARY HAALAND’S SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR USPP MISSION AND OFFICERS

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06/27/2022DOI SECRETARY HAALAND’S SUPPORT REQUESTED FOR USPP MISSION AND OFFICERS

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DOI Secretary Haaland's Support Requested for USPP Mission and Officers

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On June 27, 2022, we sent the following letter to DOI Secretary Deb Haaland asking her to support fixing the United States Park Police's operational readiness issues that are endangering NPS visitors and officers: Click Image to view PDF Click Image to view PDF Click Image to view PDF

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06/27/2022- THE UNITED STATES PARK POLICE IS HIRING – MANY OPENINGS (SF/DC/NY)

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06/27/2022- THE UNITED STATES PARK POLICE IS HIRING – MANY OPENINGS (SF/DC/NY)

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The United States Park Police is Hiring – MANY OPENINGS (SF/DC/NY)

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The United States Park Police is hiring. Many openings in DC, NY, and San Francisco. Applications are being accepted until June 14, 2023. CLICK TO LEARN HOW TO APPLY TO BE A UNITED STATES PARK POLI…

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06/21/2022- THIS LETTER WAS SENT TO ALL 435 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ASKING FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR H. R. 3924

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06/21/2022- THIS LETTER WAS SENT TO ALL 435 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ASKING FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR H. R. 3924

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THIS LETTER WAS SENT TO ALL 435 MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ASKING FOR THEIR SUPPORT FOR H. R. 3924

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WE ARE ALREADY GETTING RESPONSES - WILL UPDATE YOU SOON -

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06/09/2022- NPS AND USPP SPOKESPERSONS’ DISMISSAL OF THE USPPFOP’S SAFETY WARNING FOR SAN FRANCISCO NPS AREAS IGNORES REALITY – OUR RESPONSE

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06/09/2022- NPS AND USPP SPOKESPERSONS’ DISMISSAL OF THE USPPFOP’S SAFETY WARNING FOR SAN FRANCISCO NPS AREAS IGNORES REALITY – OUR RESPONSE

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NPS and USPP spokespersons' dismissal of the USPPFOP's Safety Warning for San Francisco NPS Areas Ignores Reality - OUR RESPONSE

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(Click page images below to read the PDF file) Page 2 A short video explaining the facts behind the Safety Warning: https://videopress.com/v/kOCnyGz0?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

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05/24/2022- USPPFOP WARNS: SAN FRANCISCO NATIONAL PARKS ARE UNSAFE -AVOID VISITING THIS SUMMER

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05/24/2022- USPPFOP WARNS: SAN FRANCISCO NATIONAL PARKS ARE UNSAFE -AVOID VISITING THIS SUMMER

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USPPFOP WARNS: SAN FRANCISCO NATIONAL PARKS ARE UNSAFE -AVOID VISITING THIS SUMMER

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04/27/2022- USPP ARREST 2 FOR ATTEMPTED ROBBERY ON NATIONAL MALL

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04/27/2022- USPP ARREST 2 FOR ATTEMPTED ROBBERY ON NATIONAL MALL

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USPP Arrest 2 for Attempted Robbery on National Mall

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04/23/2022- “NEW” 3D GEAR POST SHOWS HOW THE NPS NEGLECTS ITS LAW ENFORCEMENT MISSION

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04/23/2022- “NEW” 3D GEAR POST SHOWS HOW THE NPS NEGLECTS ITS LAW ENFORCEMENT MISSION

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A recent U. S. Park Police (USPP) Facebook post about a training class for its "new 3d forensic scanning equipment" demonstrates some forward progress by the department. What the post doesn't tell you is not only is this scanning equipment "new," it is the first 3d forensic scanning system the USPP has ever purchased. This technology is brand new to the USPP though law enforcement has used it for over a decade.

A May 4, 2012 Blog Post (Athena Information Solutions) stated, "With incidents of road rage and drunken driving steadily increasing, more than half the traffic and police authorities in the UK have chosen to spend their annual funding on buying state-of-the-art RIEGL VZ-400 laser scanner devices ..." The post went on to say, ". . . the purchase of these scanners will allow . . . forces to collect quick and accurate evidence at collision sites, thereby reducing incidents of road closure and congestion on roads." ( Article Link)

The article quotes Gary Baldwin, a supervisor of a UK Forensic Collision Investigation Unit, who spoke about the need for the scanning technology, "This easy to use device will enable faster evidence collection, and the quality of data will enhance the product delivered to the Courts." ( Article Link) Supervisor Baldwin was right; since 2012, these units have become widely known for facilitating the collection of high-quality evidence and significantly decreasing the time required for evidence collection.

In a 2019 article in Forensic Science International: Reports, they wrote, "Within the past 15 years, 3D surface scanning technology has garnered attention from law enforcement units and has been used for certain investigations, such as traffic accidents, criminal assaults, and homicides." ( Article Link) This article also concluded that:

3D scanning technology benefits outweigh costs for crime scene investigation

This equipment produces higher quality data than hand-drawn diagrams

Scanning technologies create crash diagrams faster than conventional methods

This gear reduces traffic delays caused by crash scene investigations

There are known social and economic costs associated with every lane closure

These two articles establish that this equipment has been in regular use for over a decade.

When this gear is used in crash investigations, it reduces the time roads have to be closed. Closing streets is a risky business, and reducing the time they're closed decreases the risk of injuries for everyone in the crash area. Anyone who has seen drivers making U-Turns over medians or speeding up the shoulder to evade a tie-up knows these risks. In addition, there are significant social and economic benefits gained by reducing the time roads are closed for investigations. (e.g., less stress, more time with family, fewer missed appointments, increased work productivity, etc.)

The USPP Executive Command Staff knew about the need for this equipment as USPP officers have pleaded with them to acquire this gear for approximately ten years. The USPP could have obtained this equipment in 2012, 2014, or perhaps even 2018, but they didn't buy it until 2022. Every year the purchase was put off; it added to the time people spent in traffic jams because the lack of this equipment slowed the USPP's investigations.

The National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for USPP officers not having this equipment much sooner. The NPS leaders deliberately underfund the USPP and have a long history of neglecting the service's law enforcement mission. (Read this: ARTICLE)The NPS leaders handpick the leadership of the USPP. Unfortunately, their appalling record of funding NPS law enforcement operations is an impassable obstacle preventing their picks from achieving success. This problem was alluded to in an EENEWS.NET article about the pending retirement of Chief Smith when it stated, "The persistent U.S. Park Police leadership woes have heated up again . . ." (4/11/2022)

The price of this scanning equipment is nothing compared to the costs associated with road closures. The NPS either didn't consider these costs or didn't care about them because they weren't deducted from their budget. The evidence is also conclusive that this equipment produces a far better work product that improves the ability of officers to conduct thorough investigations that stand up to scrutiny. However, thoroughness has never appeared to be a critical NPS concern when it comes to law enforcement operations. Sadly, this equipment is only one issue out of many neglected by the NPS that has destroyed the USPP's ability to carry out its mission safely and effectively.

Congress must compel the NPS Bureaucrats to stop ignoring their law enforcement mission. The safety of visitors and some of the Nation's most cherished cultural and natural resources depends on the NPS Bureaucrats adjusting their priorities.

Swift and effective responses to critical incidents are essential because they offer the best chance to mitigate damages. The NPS must face the reality that it is fruitless to spend billions preserving resources that have alarm systems that don't alarm and are protected by a dangerously understaffed and poorly equipped response force. Lives and the work of many years can quickly be ruined by the acts of disturbed persons, thoughtless vandals, rioters, everyday criminals, and terrorists.

Here is the USPP Facebook Post:

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"NEW" 3D Gear Post Shows How the NPS Neglects its Law Enforcement Mission

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A recent U. S. Park Police (USPP) Facebook post about a training class for its "new 3d forensic scanning equipment" demonstrates some forward progress by the department. What the post doesn't tell you is not only is this scanning equipment "new," it is the first 3d forensic scanning system the USPP has ever purchased.

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04/27/2022- USPP ARRESTS 2 IN VA FOR SHOTS FIRED IN DC

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04/27/2022- USPP ARRESTS 2 IN VA FOR SHOTS FIRED IN DC

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USPP Arrests 2 In VA for Shots Fired in DC

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Watch: After shots fired in DC late this morning #395cam shows #police following a U-Haul into VA before getting it stopped & making 2 arrests nr Glebe (out of view). More here- @ARLnowDOTcom @…

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4/7/2022- Unsafe Staffing Complaint Filed With DOI-IG

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4/7/2022- Unsafe Staffing Complaint Filed With DOI-IG

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Unsafe Staffing Complaint Filed With DOI-IG

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The USPPFOP filed a complaint with the Department of the Interior, Inspector General titled, "Report of Gross Negligence in Staffing at the Presidio, Washington, D.C. and New York Field Office - Public Endangerment - Request for Investigation."

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The U. S. Park Police were mentioned in this Bill which was passed into law- 

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The U. S. Park Police were mentioned in this Bill which was passed into law- 

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Section 216. authorizes the creation of a Plaque to Honor Law Enforcement Agencies Responding to Attack on Capitol. The United States Park Police is one of the agencies whose name is authorized to be on the plaque.

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H.R. 4346 is a bill in the United States Congress.

A bill must be passed by both the House and Senate in identical form and then be signed by the President to become law.

Bills numbers restart every two years. That means there are other bills with the number H.R. 4346. This is the one from the 117 th Congress.

How to cite this information.

We recommend the following MLA-formatted citation when using the information you see here in academic work:

"H.R. 4346 - 117th Congress: CHIPS Act of 2022 / Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act / Supreme Court ...." www.GovTrack.us. 2021. October 13, 2022 <https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/hr4346>

Where is this information from?

GovTrack automatically collects legislative information from a variety of governmental and non-governmental sources. This page is sourced primarily from Congress.gov, the official portal of the United States Congress. Congress.gov is generally updated one day after events occur, and so legislative activity shown here may be one day behind. Data via the congress project.

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CHIPS Act of 2022 / Research and Development, Competition, and Innovation Act / Supreme Court Security Funding Act of 2022 (H.R. 4346)

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A bill must be passed by both the House and Senate in identical form and then be signed by the President to become law. Bills numbers restart every two years. That means there are other bills with the number H.R. 4346. This is the one from the 117 th Congress.

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4/21/2013- Video update (4/21/2013) on United States Park Police Furloughs and the Congressional Testimony of National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis where he states that no NPS public safety employees will be furloughed and then says that U. S. Park Police Officers will be furloughed - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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4/21/2013- Video update (4/21/2013) on United States Park Police Furloughs and the Congressional Testimony of National Park Service Director Jon Jarvis where he states that no NPS public safety employees will be furloughed and then says that U. S. Park Police Officers will be furloughed - ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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Tuesday April 16, 2013, Hearing of the United States House of Representatives, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform titled, "Open to Visitors? Report on Assessing the Federal Effort to Minimize the Sequester's Impact on Access to Our Nation's Capital and National Treasures" ---Eagle Times Video Update (April 21, 2013) (Fraternal Order of Police- United States Park Police Labor Committee)

View the entire hearing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=...

Close Captioning being corrected.

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10/15/2008 - Article USPPFOP.org- Chief Wanted (Please Bring Leadership, Money, PEOPLE! ) Posted by editor on October 15th, 2008 filed in From the Editor

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10/15/2008 - Article USPPFOP.org- Chief Wanted (Please Bring Leadership, Money, PEOPLE! ) Posted by editor on October 15th, 2008 filed in From the Editor

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Posted by editor on October 15th, 2008 filed in From the Editor

The opening has been announced. All who want to be Chief throw your name in the hat. But realize that you're inheriting an agency that is not supported by the DOI/NPS beaurcrats, a reluctant DOI Solictor, has poor middle managers not leaders, no real upper command and no real budget. The physical infrastructure is pathetic. An analog radio system that was outdated in the 1960s. Officers constantly unable to transmit or recieve vital messages. Programs and mentalaties rustier then a 1930 police call box they were orginally discussed on. An IT department that is underfunded, a Training Branch of one. The everloomng doubt regarding the continued presence/location of the District Five station, just to name a few.

D/Chiefs will be jumping ship if an outside candiate is selected (Which to the line officer will be fun to watch). In fact it's been recently announced that Department of the Interior SpecialAgent William T. Lynch has been selected to serve as the Acting Division Commander, Operations Division, to replace Deputy Chief David Stover who recently retired.Special Agent Lynch retired form the U.S. Park Police in 2002 after completing nearly 25 years of service.

What the new chief gets is an agency with an important mission and great people with amazing dedication. The recent study showed that the line officers like their work and their coworkers, they work well together. They just hate their command (commissioned and upper civilian).

Incumbent is responsible for effectively managing a workforce of approximately 720 employees and managing a budget of over $80,000,000. The incumbent is responsible for all aspects of the United States Park Police operations, administration, and mission-related practices. Establishes organizational policies and procedures pertinent to the effective direction, operation, and evaluation of the United States Park Police activities in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area, two urban subcommands, and four NPS Regional Offices. As a specialist in police procedures, law enforcement, and crime prevention, the incumbent acts as an advisor and consultant to the Deputy Director and Director, National Park Service and is called upon to advise and consult with Departmental officials involved with security and law enforcement functions. In this capacity, the Chief may be assigned to study current law enforcement methods and protective measures, and to recommend improvements and innovations to officials of the Department.

The growth and urbanization of areas administered by the Force has resulted in an increased need for police work of all types ranging from traffic control to crime prevention and detection. The Chief, United States Park Police, is responsible for continually examining methods and procedures employed by the police organization in all jurisdictions to ensure development and application of the most advanced police techniques and procedures so that both park resources and the visitors using such resources receive the best protection available. Works closely with Equal Employment Opportunity officials to promote the objectives and methods of achieving a diverse workforce. Participates in labor management partnership initiatives.

My advice to all candiates is to get those reponsible (NPS Director & DOI Secretary - don't talk to the Deputies or Associate Dir. toadies) to make written promises of more funding for modern infrastructure, continued hiring, and personnel, personnel, personnel!

The 80 million doesn't go a long way when your agency is on two coasts with demands pulling it all over the place, and expected to pony up for NPS physical security. Most of the budget is employee salaries, vehicles, gas, etc, and of course the uncontrollable overtime (demos, demos, demos).

The 720 employees is an interesting number. Civilian employees are understaffed and the line officers are critically undermanned. Stations are at their lowest levels with districts loaning each other officers to cover minimum manning requirements. But of course managers spin the numbers and assignments because you have to play the game to get ahead. Ask questions, demand real numbers.

You'll need to install leaders with experience not players. Don't make the mistake of others, if you bring people with you, bring leaders with experience -federal and law enforcement.

At a retirement cermony, the respected honree tried to tell his fellow command officers "You (command) work for them (officers), not the other way around". They laughed. It went over their heads. Come to us with this honree's sentiment, the officers will back you up. You'll be amazed at the force you'll lead.

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Chief Wanted (Please Bring Leadership, Money, PEOPLE! )

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The opening has been announced. All who want to be Chief throw your name in the hat. But realize that you're inheriting an agency that is not supported by the DOI/NPS beaurcrats, a reluctant DOI Solictor, has poor middle managers not leaders, no real upper command and no real budget.

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4/19/1995- During the 1990s, the Police Association of the District of Columbia (PADC), the forerunner of the USPPFOP, made numerous pleas for vehicle security barriers around the Monuments and Memorials in DC.

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4/19/1995- During the 1990s, the Police Association of the District of Columbia (PADC), the forerunner of the USPPFOP, made numerous pleas for vehicle security barriers around the Monuments and Memorials in DC.

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Throughout the early 1990s, the PADC - USPPFOP made numerous pleas for installing vehicle security barriers around the Monuments and Memorials in Washington, DC; in particular, the Washington Monument. These pleas were ignored until after the Oklahoma City Bombing when the NPS National Capital Regional Director Terry R. Carlstrom ordered Jersey Barriers installed at the Washington Monument. These barriers remained in place until permanent ones were constructed in the aftermath of 9/11. Regional Director Carlstrom contracted Booz-Allen to conduct their 1999 Security Study that established that the USPP needs at least 820 officers. We are working on digging out the documents related to these efforts for posting on this timeline.

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3/29/2001- At Senate Hearing USPPFOP calls for the installation of Vehicle Security Barriers around all NPS Icons

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3/29/2001- At Senate Hearing USPPFOP calls for the installation of Vehicle Security Barriers around all NPS Icons

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From the 3/29/2001 USPPFOP Testimony at the Senate Hearing:

Security Systems

The National Park has numerous cultural resources that are potential targets for terrorists and deranged individuals. However, in many instances these cultural resources are not protected by modern security and surveillance systems that are routinely used by retailers to protect far less valuable property. In addition, the National Park Service does not make appropriate use of security barrier systems to deny vehicular access to cultural facilities. In order to provide a safe level of security in modern society the installation and effective use of these security systems is a baseline protective measure. The National Park Service must correct this problem expeditiously.

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4/9/1999- In submitted written testimony, the USPPFOP expresses concern about the USPP being unprepared for a terrorist attack 

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4/9/1999- In submitted written testimony, the USPPFOP expresses concern about the USPP being unprepared for a terrorist attack 

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"To illustrate our concern, I would point out that current international political dynamics have increased our concern regarding the possibility of terrorist-related activities against certain high profile national assets within our jurisdiction. Simply put, this is not the time for the USPP to be understaffed or under-equipped."

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2/5/2000- Joint Statement Of The Fraternal Order of Police United States Park Police Labor Committee And The Fraternal Order of Police United States Park Rangers Lodge Concerning National Park Service Law Enforcement

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2/5/2000- Joint Statement Of The Fraternal Order of Police United States Park Police Labor Committee And The Fraternal Order of Police United States Park Rangers Lodge Concerning National Park Service Law Enforcement

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The USPPFOP and the FOP Rangers Lodge signed a joint statement about the state of NPS law enforcement operations.

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3/29/2001 - Hearing On NPS Law Enforcement by Senate, Sub-Comm on  PARKS, PRESERVATION, & RECREATION (FULL Transcript)

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3/29/2001 - Hearing On NPS Law Enforcement by Senate, Sub-Comm on  PARKS, PRESERVATION, & RECREATION (FULL Transcript)

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An important event at the time - just months before September 11th

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4/9/1999 - USPPFOP Testimony before Congress- DOI & Related Agencies Appropriations Sub-Committee

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4/9/1999 - USPPFOP Testimony before Congress- DOI & Related Agencies Appropriations Sub-Committee

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3/14/1996 - PADC (Forerunner of the USPPFOP) Testimony before Congress- DOI & Related Agencies Appropriations Sub-Committee

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3/14/1996 - PADC (Forerunner of the USPPFOP) Testimony before Congress- DOI & Related Agencies Appropriations Sub-Committee

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Sounds like this testimony could be given in 2022

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September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on the United States

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September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks on the United States

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1999- BOOZ-ALLEN - Independent Report that determined that the U. S. Park Police needed 820 officers for safe and effective operations.

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1999- BOOZ-ALLEN - Independent Report that determined that the U. S. Park Police needed 820 officers for safe and effective operations.

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No Pubic Copy Available

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REMAINDER SOME RECORDS OF CRITICAL INCIDENTS

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9/30/2021- THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW - MSNBC - Discussion of USPP OPS on January 6, 2021

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9/30/2021- THE RACHEL MADDOW SHOW - MSNBC - Discussion of USPP OPS on January 6, 2021

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Discussion of USPP and January 6, 2021: Cong. Raskin: "The park police were valiant and brave on January 6 and right in the struggle but I haven't heard that tape from early in the morning."

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10/02/2021 - CNN Transcript of news story on USPP during January  6, 2021 - Evidence of USPP Understaffing

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10/02/2021 - CNN Transcript of news story on USPP during January  6, 2021 - Evidence of USPP Understaffing

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Does this sound like a force that is adequately staffed?
From CNN Show Transcript:

PAUL: Well, you, I'm sure like us, were glued to the television onJanuary 6th, as we watched protesters clash with Capitol Police. Whatwe're learning now is that this wasn't the start of the violence thatday. New audio shows police confronted unruly crowds that morninghours before the insurrection began.
SANCHEZ: So could those confrontations have been an early warning forwhat was to come? CNN's Whitney Wild joins us now with that audio.
WHITNEY WILD, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT CORRESPONDENT: Christi, Boris, what this audio shows is that the U.S. Park Police was dealing with thisdynamic and evolving situation throughout the morning that beganactually several hours prior to the riot. And what it shows is thatthere were pro-Trump supporters who were coming to Washington andbased on their gear, and based on the observations from Park Policewere prepared for a fight.

For example, Park Police observed people in riot gear wearing gasmasks, in some cases, carrying a pitchfork. In other cases, they madeclear on the radio transmissions that they were overwhelmed, in onecase, saying that they were completely surrounded as they hadretreated inside the Washington Monument with someone that they hadarrested. And all they could do was wait for backup to try to get thema safe exit out of the monument. Meanwhile, as I said, there's thiscrowd surrounding them.

This was seven hours of audio obtained by Citizens for Responsibilityand Ethics in Washington. It is enlightening. Here's just a quicksnippet of that more than seven hours of tape.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a mob of onlookers inside the flag circleright outside the entrance to the monument. So, just be advised whenyou are coming up to tell that prisoner to standby for now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have an arrestee inside the Washington Monument.We are going to temporarily close it right now so we can furtherassess what we need to do with the prisoner. There's a large crowdsurrounding the monument right now.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The prisoner is inside the base of the monumentwith multiple Park Police officers. That they are completelysurrounded with protesters and they are trying to figure out a plan onhow to get the arrestee down to the wagon.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have individuals with shields and gas masks atthe statue.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: OK. They are at the Lincoln statue with shieldsand masks?UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And for influencers (ph) taking pictures right nowwith a flag that says -- Antifa. Myself and 21 directs for the unitsat 141 monitor only do not take any type of enforcement action. Let ithappen.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WILD: Further, what Park Police was dealing with were little flare-upsthroughout the city. So there were issues at the Washington Monument,there were issues at the Lincoln Memorial. And on top of all of that,hundreds of rioters tried to get into that "Stop the Steal" rally withbackpacks which were prohibited. And so. those people just left themon the sidewalk. Unattended bags are so well-known as being a securityrisk.

And so Park Police was on the sidewalk, basically, looking at thispile of backpacks. They'd said, at one point, had grown to 1,000backpacks, trying to figure out what to do with it. So there were allof these security issues popping up at around the same time. Again, itwas a very dynamic situation and that was hours before the riot tookplace. It was a signal of what was to come. Christi and Boris.

SANCHEZ: Whitney Wild, thank you for that report.
So, Alabama received millions of federal dollars to ease the effectsof the pandemic. But instead of spending that money to helpcommunities recover, the state is building two new prisons. We havemore top stories for you just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:53:47]

SANCHEZ: We are 53 minutes past the hour and we want to check topstories for you before we go. Alabama is one of the states that's beenhardest hit by COVID, but they're not using all of their federal COVIDrelief funds to fight the pandemic.
PAUL: Instead, Republican lawmakers are allocating up to $400 millionfrom the American Rescue Plan to build two new prisons. Democrats haveraised questions over the legality of the funding. Others arequestioning its morality.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed the bill yesterday and said, "This isan Alabama problem. We're going to give it an Alabama solution."

American Airlines says all its U.S.-based employees must getvaccinated if they want to keep their jobs. The airline announced lastnight, the Biden administration's vaccine mandate for all federalcontractors does apply to the airline. American did not say when therequirement takes effect. It did say that, while religious anddisability related exemptions will be available, there will be noprovisions of regular testing alternative.

SANCHEZ: And check this out, a new drone capturing footage insideHurricane Sam as it barrels toward the Atlantic. It navigated through50 foot waves and winds up to 120 miles an hour to capture thisdizzying footage.
[08:55:01]

PAUL: It's something, isn't it? No, it says this is a world first. Itgives us a completely new view of a hurricane. Data from this drone,by the way, and others like it should help predict how and whenhurricanes strengthen. So not only good to look at but, obviously,getting some really valuable information.

SANCHEZ: All right, so we will see you again in just about one hour inthe CNN Newsroom.

PAUL: We sure will, stay tuned. Smerconish is with you next.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

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2/27/2022- WAPO-New report outlines Park Police dispatch center deficiencies

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2/27/2022- WAPO-New report outlines Park Police dispatch center deficiencies

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2/28/2022- (DOI-IG Press Release) -Interior IG Issues Management Advisory on Safety Concerns & Other Deficiencies at U.S. Park Police's Dispatch Operations Center in Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area

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2/28/2022- (DOI-IG Press Release) -Interior IG Issues Management Advisory on Safety Concerns & Other Deficiencies at U.S. Park Police's Dispatch Operations Center in Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area

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3/16/2022- Rep. Hice Launches Probe Into Dire Conditions at U.S. Park Police Dispatch Operations Center 

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3/16/2022- Rep. Hice Launches Probe Into Dire Conditions at U.S. Park Police Dispatch Operations Center 

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4/10/2022- WAPO - Park Police Chief abruptly retires after a year on the job, 24 on the force

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4/10/2022- WAPO - Park Police Chief abruptly retires after a year on the job, 24 on the force

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12/02/2003 - Park Police Duties Exceed Staffing; Anti-Terror Demands Have Led Chief to Curtail Patrols Away From Mall

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12/02/2003 - Park Police Duties Exceed Staffing; Anti-Terror Demands Have Led Chief to Curtail Patrols Away From Mall

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From the Article: "In the long run, Chambers said, her 620-member department needs a major expansion, perhaps to about 1,400 officers."

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Even though by contract, NAPA was supposed to provide an Officer staffing number for the USPP, they never accomplished this task. Inexplicably, NAPA was paid by the DOI even though they did not meet the agreed-to scope of work.

The NAPA reports are all deeply flawed filled with ideas that are disconnected logic and common sense. The problems are discussed in an article in this edition of the USPPFOP newsletter:

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JUNE 2021 - DOI-IG Special Review USPP Actions At Lafayette Park IN 2020

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JUNE 2021 - DOI-IG Special Review USPP Actions At Lafayette Park IN 2020

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4/11/2022- Facebook Post on EENEWS.NET Article: “Park Police chief’s abrupt retirement comes amid complaints”

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4/11/2022- Facebook Post on EENEWS.NET Article: “Park Police chief’s abrupt retirement comes amid complaints”

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Facebook Post on EENEWS.NET Article: "Park Police chief's abrupt retirement comes amid complaints"

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8/16/1990- 2nd man arrested in officer beating - The Washington Times

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8/16/1990- 2nd man arrested in officer beating - The Washington Times

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8/15/1990Woman found dead in park - The Washington TimesAugust 15, 1990, Wednesday, Final Edition

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8/15/1990Woman found dead in park - The Washington TimesAugust 15, 1990, Wednesday, Final Edition

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Woman found dead in park
The Washington Times

August 15, 1990, Wednesday, Final Edition

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8/14/1990- Park police charge man in officer beating - The Washington Times 

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8/14/1990- Park police charge man in officer beating - The Washington Times 

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8/14/1990- Officers' duties no walk in park

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8/14/1990- Officers' duties no walk in park

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2/23/1990- Suspect killed in Lafayette Square

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2/23/1990- Suspect killed in Lafayette Square

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9/8/1989- Bomb threat disrupts auction at 'Castle'

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9/8/1989- Bomb threat disrupts auction at 'Castle'

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9/1/1989- Bridge collapse leaves 14 hurt

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9/1/1989- Bridge collapse leaves 14 hurt

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7/5/1989- Shooting on Mall panics revelers

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7/5/1989- Shooting on Mall panics revelers

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4/27/2018- No identifiable progress on the National Mall’s Physical Security Risks identified in​ July 2017 GAO Report

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4/27/2018- No identifiable progress on the National Mall’s Physical Security Risks identified in​ July 2017 GAO Report

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No identifiable progress on the National Mall’s Physical Security Risks identified in​ July 2017 GAO Report

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The United States Government Accountability Office issued this report in July of 2017: LINK The United States Park Police- Fraternal Order of Police has seen no signs of progress on c…

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JULY 2017 - GAO STUDY ON NATIONAL MALL SECURITY RISKS

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JULY 2017 - GAO STUDY ON NATIONAL MALL SECURITY RISKS

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7/2022- Ask yourself has anything been done to fix these problems.

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5/4/2018- NPS Neglect of US Park Police Causes Dangerous Pilot Shortage

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5/4/2018- NPS Neglect of US Park Police Causes Dangerous Pilot Shortage

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The United States Park Police (USPP) is experiencing pilot shortages due to retirements that could soon reduce the availability of the critical lifesaving and law enforcement capabilities of the USPP Aviation Unit. The issue of replacing retiring pilots has been known and discussed within the USPP/NPS for 4 or more years. However, the severe USPP officer shortage, caused by the decades-long reckless neglect of USPP operational readiness by the National Park Service (NPS), prevented the development of a viable plan to have fully qualified officers ready to replace the retiring pilots.
Medevac after shooting during Congressional softball practice- June 2017
Sadly, at this point, the USPP Aviation Unit is one injury, medical issue or retirement away from reducing the 24-hour a day availability they currently provide. Only a long streak of very good luck will prevent some type of service reduction from occurring before the pilot shortage is fixed.

This has forced the USPP to resort to posting an unprecedented announcement on usajobs.com to directly hire USPP Officer Pilots. However, even if the USPP hired these replacements today and started training them tomorrow, it would be at least eight months before they could fill the empty pilot positions.
United States Park Police post announcing the direct hire of Officer Pilots
The USPP Aviation Unit is a critical part of the emergency response system in the Nation's Capital, and their capabilities (e.g., Medevac, Hoist Capabilities, Search and Rescue, Potomac River Rescues, Observation, Law Enforcement Operations, etc.) are often the difference between life and death.
U. S. Park Police hoists victim to safety during 2013 Navy Yard Shootings
For many years, the USPPFOP has warned the NPS and others about the consequences of the severe understaffing of the USPP. Most recently, in a grievance the USPPFOP filed on February 20, 2018, detailing numerous safety issues endangering USPP officers and park visitors. The grievance directly addressed the issue of retiring pilots:

"The Aviation Unit will soon not be able to provide service 24/7, due to the staffing shortages of the USPP. Approximately half of the pilots are eligible to retire and if enough of these pilots retire the unit will no longer be able to fly 24 hours a day. Unless the equipment and staffing issues of this unit are addressed medevacs, rescues and law enforcement missions performed by the unit that are seen as commonplace will soon become riskier or impossible. The absence of this Unit's capabilities endangers the safety of officers, the public and the effectiveness of protective operations in the Nation's Capital."

The USPPFOP has tried for many years to get the NPS to take action on USPP operational readiness issues that endanger USPP officers and visitors to National Parks. We have had very limited success, but we will keep trying. Please, examine the record on our facebook page and please Like it, too.

Air Florida Flight 90 Crash -USPP Rescue

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NPS Neglect of US Park Police Causes Dangerous Pilot Shortage

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The United States Park Police (USPP) is experiencing pilot shortages due to retirements that could soon reduce the availability of the critical lifesaving and law enforcement capabilities of the USPP Aviation Unit. The issue of replacing retiring pilots has been known and discussed within the USPP/NPS for 4 or more years.

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10/16/2018- Plot to Bomb National Mall Confirms Need for Robust U. S. Park Police Mass Casualty Response Capability

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10/16/2018- Plot to Bomb National Mall Confirms Need for Robust U. S. Park Police Mass Casualty Response Capability

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Last week the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a New York man for building a 200-pound bomb he planned to explode on the National Mall in Washington, DC on Election Day. The arrest prevented the execution of his deadly plan. Had this man succeeded in carrying out his crime the consequences could have been disastrous. The casualties inflicted by such a device would be determined by the plotter's ability/desire to detonate the explosive device at specific times in high visitation areas.

A critical factor that would determine the lethality of such a bombing on the National Mall would be the ability of the United States Park Police (USPP) to respond to the event. Despite numerous calls from the United States Park Police Fraternal Order of Police (USPPFOP) during the last few years, the National Park Service (NPS) still hasn't provided the USPP with the staffing, medical equipment [e.g. medically certified tourniquets ( See Pitfall #5, Figure 1)], and the training needed to effectively respond to mass casualty incidents. Given the threat and the potential consequences immediate action must be taken to fix this reckless NPS policy. Lives will someday depend on the ability of USPP Officers to swiftly end the threat and effectively treat mass casualties. Officers must have the staffing and equipment needed to accomplish their vital mission.
https://wtop.com/national/2018/10/fbi-says-man-with-200-pound-bomb-had-election-day-plot/slide/1/
Some examples of previous calls for action on this critical issue:

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Plot to Bomb National Mall Confirms Need for Robust U. S. Park Police Mass Casualty Response Capability

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Last week the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested a New York man for building a 200-pound bomb he planned to explode on the National Mall in Washington, DC on Election Day. The arrest prevented the execution of his deadly plan. Had this man succeeded in carrying out his crime the consequences could have been disastrous....

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Sadly, in 2022 the NPS still hasn’t provided the USPP with the staffing, medical equipment [e.g. medically certified tourniquets], and training for this ...

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10/16/2018- 1,923 Days Since Hartford Consensus Stated -“No one should die from uncontrolled bleeding.”-During Mass Casualty Events- But USPP Still Lacks Essential Resources - (NOTE: As of 3/2022 the USPP still lacks these resources)

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10/16/2018- 1,923 Days Since Hartford Consensus Stated -“No one should die from uncontrolled bleeding.”-During Mass Casualty Events- But USPP Still Lacks Essential Resources - (NOTE: As of 3/2022 the USPP still lacks these resources)

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1,923 Days Since Hartford Consensus Stated -“No one should die from uncontrolled bleeding.”-During Mass Casualty Events- But USPP Still Lacks Essential Resources

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1,923 Days have passed since- The Hartford Consensus II CALL TO ACTION- “No one should die from uncontrolled bleeding. Preventable death after an active shooter or an intentional mass-casualt…

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12/31/2018- Facebook Post -USPP Patrol 5 of the 12 Most Visited National Parks During Winter– Dangerous understaffing by the NPS Prevents Officers from doing this – Safely and Effectively

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12/31/2018- Facebook Post -USPP Patrol 5 of the 12 Most Visited National Parks During Winter– Dangerous understaffing by the NPS Prevents Officers from doing this – Safely and Effectively

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LINK to Facebook Post: https://www.facebook.com/1791fop/posts/1071211076381947

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National park sites can provide an ideal adventure or an escape from the cold during the winter months.

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1/21/2019- Facebook Post- 1975 USPP Annual Report

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1/21/2019- Facebook Post- 1975 USPP Annual Report

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1975 USPP Annual Report- THEN (1975 - 547 OFFICERS) - NOW (2019 -564 OFFICERS) - Since '75, DC Population UP 43% + / DC NPS Visitation UP 41% + / DC NPS Road Traffic UP 36% + / Other Departments Doubled + / USPP Dangerously Understaffed / Lacks Vital Equipment-
https://www.facebook.com/1791fop/posts/1092334327602955

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2/9/2022- USPPFOP Press Release: THE NPS IS INCOMPETENT, CARELESS, AND INDIFFERENT TO OFFICER SAFETY

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2/9/2022- USPPFOP Press Release: THE NPS IS INCOMPETENT, CARELESS, AND INDIFFERENT TO OFFICER SAFETY

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3/15/2022- Rep. Hice Demands Information and Action from DOI on USPP Safety Issues

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3/15/2022- Rep. Hice Demands Information and Action from DOI on USPP Safety Issues

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Rep. Hice Sends Letter to DOI Secretary Demanding Information and Action on USPP Safety Issues

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Earlier today the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight (Minority) sent a letter to the Secretary of Interior “expressing serious concerns” about the Department’s man…

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3/15/2022- USPPFOP MEMBERSHIP SAFETY SURVEY RESULTS

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3/15/2022- USPPFOP MEMBERSHIP SAFETY SURVEY RESULTS

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The following email (2 pages) was sent to the USPP Executive Command Staff at approximately 11:44 AM on March 15, 2022. Included in this email were two attachments:
The March 15, 2022 USPPFOP Membership Safety Survey (17 pages) The letter sent by Rep Jody Hice to the SOI Secretary (3 pages)
These two attachments are included below the following email.

FOP-Survey-and-Letter-to-DOI-from-Rep-Hice-Redacted_Redacted

safety-survey-2022-03-15

Letter-from-RM-Hice-to-Secretary-Haaland-re-USPP-03-15-2022-FINAL

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USPPFOP MEMBERSHIP SAFETY SURVEY Sent to USPP ECS- March 15, 2022

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The following email (2 pages) was sent to the USPP Executive Command Staff at approximately 11:44 AM on March 15, 2022. Included in this email were two attachments: The March 15, 2022 USPPFOP Membership Safety Survey (17 pages) The letter sent by Rep Jody Hice to the SOI Secretary (3 pages) These two attachments are...

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1/17/2021- BUZZFEED- Park Police Officers Worried That Chronic Understaffing Could Endanger The Public. Then The Capitol Riot Happened.

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1/17/2021- BUZZFEED- Park Police Officers Worried That Chronic Understaffing Could Endanger The Public. Then The Capitol Riot Happened.

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Although the Park Police is tasked with safeguarding many of the nation's most venerated sites, including the Statue of Liberty and San Francisco's Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the department's main responsibility lies in the District of Columbia, where roughly 300 of its officers are stationed.

Because of its unique jurisdiction, the Park Police typically serves as the frontline law enforcement agency during protests and demonstrations in the National Mall and outside the White House.

As part of that job, the department works closely with a constellation of other law enforcement agencies within DC, in particular the Capitol Police. In 1998, for example, when a gunman burst into the Capitol and shot two officers, it was a Park Police helicopter that carried a wounded officer to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. And during the 2013 Navy Yard shooting, the Park Police helped bring in snipers and ferry civilians to safety.

But in a moment when activists have been calling for defunding of police departments, the Park Police budget - which is smaller than that of the Arlington, Texas, police department - has not measurably increased in real terms since at least 2001, federal records show. By comparison, Washington's far larger Metropolitan Police Department has seen its funding increase by about 30% over the last two decades when adjusted for inflation.

Those budgetary and staffing issues date back years. A 2008 report by the Department of Interior, Office of Inspector General found that decreased staffing levels had hurt the department's ability to police monuments and conduct normal patrol duties, and that both morale and confidence among officers were low. The report also found that officers did not always have adequate training and that at times officers had to use their own cars because of a shortage in patrol vehicles. That echoed similar findings by the Inspector General in 2002 and 2006.

Officers frequently complain of insufficient equipment, and their union has repeatedly petitioned for body cameras to no avail. But by far the biggest issue, insiders said, is staffing, which is so lean that officers are often obliged to drive squad cars alone because the department cannot afford to pull another person from the field. Those vehicles, meanwhile, lack onboard computers. According to Charles Pereira, a technology officer for the Park Police until 2016, the department didn't even transition to computerized police reports until a few years before he retired.

"We didn't have as much hardware as we would have liked to have," he said.

Park Police also said they're exhausted. Beset by COVID-19 and months of nearly continuous protests, 12-hour shifts, 75-hour weeks, and long stretches without days off have become routine, officers said. In late August, for example, 15 officers had their vacations canceled with almost no notice because they had to be on guard for fireworks at the Republican National Convention, according to documents and emails reviewed by BuzzFeed News.

Even maintaining day-to-day operations has become impossible without officers working extra shifts, said Kenneth Spencer, chair of the department's union, the US Park Police Fraternal Order of Police. Spencer, who does street patrol for the force, said that underfunding has been a bone of contention for years, and that within the $12 billion umbrella of the Interior Department budget, the Park Police had "fallen through the cracks." In recent years, the union has hired a full-time lobbyist to push for more money, but its efforts have produced few, if any, results.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a government watchdog group, has chronicled the issues plaguing the Park Police and its parent agencies for years. In a 2017 report, PEER described how although the Park Service saw its budget grow, none of that increase trickled down to the Park Police. "In short, the Park Police is fighting for a piece of a limited pie," the report stated.

Two former Park Police chiefs were fired during the administration of George W. Bush for talking to the press about staffing shortages. One, Teresa Chambers, told BuzzFeed News that the lack of money was due to the fact that while chief, she was not included in budget talks within the Interior Department, nor was she able to advocate for their budgets directly to Congress.

The Park Police, she said in 2017, is "buried deep, deep, deep within an environmental organization known as the Department of Interior. We were a little gnat on the side."

In 2013, the Park Police had the dubious distinction of being the only federal law enforcement agency required to take unpaid furloughs during budget sequestration. "More money for the USPP means less for agencies such as the Bureau of Indian affairs, which means native children go hungry," said Jonathan Jarvis, who headed the National Parks Service under president Barack Obama. "It's Sophie's choice."

Early in Trump's term, the department's union pushed to get the Park Police removed from the Interior Department. That effort went nowhere, and though the Interior Department's budget has increased every year since Trump took office, the Park Police have not seen similar bumps.

The department also has several significant blemishes on its record. It was heavily criticized for its aggressive handling of protests outside meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in 2002, when it and DC's Metropolitan Police were accused of surrounding and beating demonstrators prior to mass arrests, which ultimately led to a court settlement. Park Police officers also had lost track of hundreds of weapons after an anonymous tip reported that the agency was mishandling its firearms, according to a 2013 Inspector General report. In 2017, two officers shot and killed an unarmed motorist named Bijan Ghaisar, whose family is still demanding justice.

And last June, the Park Police was lambasted for its use of force and chemical irritants on peaceful protesters to clear DC's Lafayette Square - which is in the department's jurisdiction - where Trump wanted to take a photo-op in front of a church.

But in a letter to Congress the following month, the union appeared to place blame on those who control the department's purse strings, demanding more training, increased staffing levels, and body cameras.

"The USPP is dangerously understaffed, creating a dire situation for the safety of the public and officers alike," the letter read. "Overworked, over-stressed, and overwhelmed police officers are being asked to make sound, on-the-spot decisions when they lack the work-rest cycle the body and mind needs. We also lack the staffing to implement crowd control tactics effectively."

According to the Park Police's current acting chief, Greg Monahan, over a four-day period between May 29 and June 1, 50 of his officers were hurt during Black Lives Matter protests, sustaining injuries from bricks, fireworks, and chunks of wood. That only put further stresses on an exhausted force, officers said.

Department insiders said that the years of neglect came to a head on Jan. 6.

Numerous permits were issued in advance for pro-Trump groups to hold free speech rallies in Washington on Jan. 6, including the main one from Women for America First. That permit was originally approved by the National Park Service for 5,000 people but amended to 30,000 just a day ahead of time.

For more than a week leading up to the event, a joint coalition of federal law enforcement agencies, including the Park Police and the Capitol Police, met each afternoon to coordinate staffing, resources, and a response plan. They shared intelligence that shaped their preparation plans, sources said, and the Park Police called in officers from New York, as it usually does for large rallies.

Park Police officials were in constant communication with the Capitol Police before and on the day of the assault, officers and others with knowledge of the inner workings of the joint chain of command said, adding that the coalition had intelligence that the crowds would head toward the Capitol. In response, Park Police pre-stationed members of its SWAT team near the Capitol, as well as at the Ellipse, just south of the White House.

Even before Trump began a fiery late-morning speech that urged his supporters to "walk down to the Capitol, " tensions were rising on the National Mall, where tens of thousands of demonstrators unhappy with the outcome of the presidential election had already gathered.

At around 10 a.m., an officer recorded several angry white protesters holding "Stop the Steal" signs, yelling and banging against the thick glass of the office in the Washington Monument where Park Police officers had fled moments earlier, according to videos of the previously unreported incident reviewed by BuzzFeed News.

"I never saw this before in my 11 years on the job," one of the officers who was locked inside the visitor center recalled. "We had to make a decision to get our butts out of there before the crowd got bigger."

By the time the small group of police emerged, unscathed, much of the crowd had moved on - responding, perhaps, to Trump's message. "The pulse of the crowd changed," a senior official said. Inside the command center, meanwhile, Park Police leadership "were all talking and devising a plan of action and deployment of resources the best we could."

At around 11:30 a.m., a Park Police SWAT officer, wearing a helmet and gas mask, recalled being ordered to head on foot from the Ellipse to the Capitol, about a mile and a half away. When he arrived, he said the hectic scene was already turning violent and law enforcement was being overpowered. Many of the Capitol Police had already fallen back into the building and a contingent of Metropolitan Police Department officers on the scene were deploying tear gas.

But the cluster of Park Police officers who reached the Capitol seemed insignificant compared to the sprawling mob. After arriving, the SWAT officer remembers counting the colleagues he could see and tallying about 20. Many positioned themselves on the building's west side, where much of the violence was unfolding, using pepper balls to try to hold back the surging crowd.

"The protesters were hitting hard," the SWAT officer recalled. "We were vastly outnumbered and several officers were injured."

It took about three hours to get the situation under control and remove the rioters from the Capitol grounds, but to the officer it felt far longer. Afterward, he said, he returned to his own jurisdiction and stayed on patrol until late that night.

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Park Police Officers Worried That Chronic Understaffing Could Endanger The Public. Then The Capitol Riot Happened.

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Although the Park Police is tasked with safeguarding many of the nation's most venerated sites, including the Statue of Liberty and San Francisco's Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the department's main responsibility lies in the District of Columbia, where roughly 300 of its officers are stationed.

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2/6/2015- USPPFOP SAFETY CONCERN LETTER TO NPS DIR JARVIS UNCHALLENGED- SEE NEXT POST FOR DETAILS>>>

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2/6/2015- USPPFOP SAFETY CONCERN LETTER TO NPS DIR JARVIS UNCHALLENGED- SEE NEXT POST FOR DETAILS>>>

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2/6/2015- USPPFOP OPEN LETTER (SAFETY) to NPS Director Jon Jarvis - Jarvis Never Responded

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2/6/2015- USPPFOP OPEN LETTER (SAFETY) to NPS Director Jon Jarvis - Jarvis Never Responded

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1ST QUARTER 2015 - OPERATIONAL READINESS ISSUES- NPS DIRECTOR JARVIS WON'T RESPOND TO USPPFOP SAFETY CONCERNS

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1ST QUARTER 2015 - OPERATIONAL READINESS ISSUES- NPS DIRECTOR JARVIS WON'T RESPOND TO USPPFOP SAFETY CONCERNS

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10/2013 Eagle Times- Safety & Operational Readiness

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10/2013 Eagle Times- Safety & Operational Readiness