United States Park Police Job Description & Career Outlook

The job of United States Park Police officer is to provide law enforcement within certain designated parks under the US Department of the Interior, National Park Services. Their jurisdiction covers all national parks and certain national and state lands designated by the Department of the Interior. Divisions of the US Park Police include mounted unit, patrol unit and traffic units.

Responsibilities of the US Park Police include performing enforcing federal statutes, conducting criminal investigations and detaining individuals charged with offenses against the United States. Individual responsibilities are determined by the division of the Park Police in which the officer is assigned. The criminal investigation branch (CIB) investigates major crimes, special investigations, identification (processing evidence), narcotics crimes and asset forfeiture. The special forces unit is comprised of SWAT members, motorcycle units, aviation units, canine units and community relations and special events units.

United States Park Police officers are employed by the federal government. The agency is a division of the Department of Interior, National Parks Service and is the oldest professional law enforcement agency in the United States.

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How to Become a United States Park Police Officer: Education & Other Requirements

The United States Park Police requirements to become an officer include:

• United States Citizenship
• Be at least 21 years of age and must not have reached your 37th birthday before appointment.   A waiver of the maximum entry age may be applicable to individuals who have not passed their 38th birthday and have previous qualifying service in a Federal civilian law enforcement position covered by 6c retirement system
• Honorable “active duty” military experience of at least two years may be qualifying in lieu of education.
• Have 20/100 vision or better in each eye that is corrected to 20/20 with glasses or contact lenses.
• Possess a valid automobile driver’s license (must have a good driving record).
• Have attained two years (60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours) of education above the high school level from an accredited college or university

OR

• Two years of progressively responsible experience which demonstrates the ability to learn and apply detailed and complex regulations and procedures that involve making sound judgments based on the application of directions, rules, regulations, or laws.
• Combination of education and experience as described above.

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United States Park Police Salary

Average starting salary for a US Park Police officer is $52,000 per year.

United States Park Police Career Outlook

According to the United States Department of Labor, job opportunities in this field will grow an average rate; however, competition for federal positions such as this will be higher than the average for state law enforcement jobs. Average starting salary for a US Park Police officer is $52,000 per year.

United States Park Police and Law Enforcement Related Degrees, Programs & Schools

Page Edited by Charles Sipe.