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Careers In Law Enforcement: The United States Park Police

The United States Park Police (USPP) is the oldest uniformed federal law enforcement agency in the nation. President George Washington created the USPP in 1791. The USPP has jurisdiction in all federal parks, safeguarding lives, protecting national historical treasures, and have offices in San Francisco, CA, New York City, and Washington DC.

The USSP is a full service police department enforcing both state and federal laws in the jurisdictions they serve. Today, the USPP is a branch of the National Park Service, which is a bureau of the Department of the Interior.

USSP Training

The USSP new officers train at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers in Glynco, Georgia in a 16-week Basic Police training program (police academy). Upon graduating from FLETC, the new officer reports to their assigned duty station for six months of field training program. USPP officers are on probation for 1-year.

Throughout the USPP officer career there will be many training opportunities, including assignment to specialized policing units.

USPP Career Opportunities

Since the USPP is a full service police department, there are many career units an officer can apply, train and work.

    • SWAT
    • Criminal Investigative Branch (CIB)
    • Motorcycle unit
    • Traffic unit
    • Aviation unit
    • K-9 unit
    • Horse Mounted unit
    • Marine unit

The USSP is a federal series 0083 (police officer). That starting pay is $52, 541.00 per year. Base pay can raise to $102, 936.00 per year during the officers career.

About the Author

Mark Bond

Mark Bond has worked in law enforcement and has been a firearms instructor for more than 29 years. His law enforcement experience includes the military, local, state and federal levels as a police officer and criminal investigator. Mark obtained a BS and MS in criminal justice, and M.Ed in educational leadership with Summa Cum Laude honors. As a lifelong learner, he is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in education (EdD) with a concentration in college teaching and learning. Mark is currently an assistant professor of criminal justice at a university and adjunct professor of administration of justice studies at a community college.