Park Police
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||
United States Park Police (USPP) is one of the oldest uniformed federal law enforcement agencies in the U.S., responsible for protecting national parks primarily in Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco.
Mission
The mission of the United States Park Police is to provide a safe and secure environment in the parks they serve, protecting both the public and the invaluable natural and cultural resources managed by the National Park Service. This includes law enforcement, emergency medical response, and ensuring that visitors can enjoy their First Amendment rights in a peaceful and orderly manner.
Parent organization
The USPP is part of the National Park Service (NPS), which itself is under the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Legislation
The USPP was officially created under the Act of March 2, 1849, which established the Department of the Interior and later included provisions for the protection of public lands.
Partners
The USPP collaborates with:
- Metropolitan Police Department (DC)
- New York City Police Department (NYPD)
- San Francisco Police Department (SFPD)
Number of employees
As of recent data, there are approximately 515 US Park Police officers.[](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/uspp/index.htm)
Organization structure
- Patrol Division handles daily law enforcement activities.
- Special Forces Division includes specialized units like the Aviation Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team.
- Investigative Services deals with criminal investigations within park areas.
List of programs
- Horse-Mounted Patrol - https://www.nps.gov/subjects/uspp/horsepatrol.htm
- Aviation Unit - https://www.nps.gov/subjects/uspp/aviation.htm
- Counter Narcotics & Terrorism Operational Medical Support (CONTOMS) Training
Last total enacted budget
The exact budget figure for the USPP is not publicly detailed as it is part of the broader National Park Service budget.
Leader
The USPP is led by the Chief of Police.
Services provided
The US Park Police provide law enforcement services, emergency response, search and rescue operations, and high-visibility patrols to protect park visitors, park resources, and infrastructure. They also manage crowd control during large public events and protests, ensuring safety and the right to free expression.
Regulations overseen
The USPP enforces National Park Service regulations which include rules on park usage, conservation, and public behavior within the parks they patrol, ensuring compliance with federal laws related to these areas.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Park_Police)
Headquarters address
1100 Ohio Drive SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
History
The US Park Police traces its roots back to 1791 when President George Washington authorized the creation of a police force to protect public lands in the District of Columbia. Officially established in 1919, it has since expanded its role to protect parks in major cities, evolving with the National Park Service's mission to preserve America's natural and cultural heritage while ensuring public safety and access.