Office of the Chief

The fundamental purpose of the National Park Service (NPS) is "to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."

The United States Park Police (USPP) is an entity of the NPS with the responsibility to provide law enforcement services to designated areas within the NPS, and other areas as requested. USPP prevent and detect criminal activity as well as conduct investigations and apprehend those individuals suspected of committing offenses against Federal, State, and local laws. The USPP is comprised of the Services Division, Homeland Security Division, and Field Operations Division.

The United States Park Police (USPP) (the Force) has been on duty protecting Federal Parks for more than 200 years since it was created in 1791 by the first president, George Washington. The oldest federal uniformed police force, the USPP is a unit of the Department of the Interior(DOI)/National Park Service (NPS) with jurisdiction in all NPS areas and certain other Federal and State lands and serves as the National Park Service urban park interface between society and our nation’s most cherished symbols of democracy.

The Force provides law enforcement services to designated areas within the NPS (primarily the Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco, California metropolitan areas) and through the efforts of highly trained and professional police officers who selflessly work to prevent and detect criminal activity; conduct investigations; apprehend individuals suspected of committing offenses against Federal, State and local laws; provide protection to the President of the United States and visiting dignitaries; provide protective services to some of the most recognizable monuments, memorials, and special events in the world; and ensure visitors to these areas are guaranteed their Constitutional rights to free speech and lawful assembly. Officers defend these symbols of democracy, what they represent, and those who visit them by embracing our duty and responsibility to those we serve and the protection of the civil liberties that make us all free. We are proud of our heritage, our history, and our mission.

Chief of Police

Jessica M. E. Taylor currently serves as the chief of the United States Park Police. Chief Taylor manages law enforcement operations primarily within Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco, conducting investigations; apprehending individuals suspected of committing offenses against Federal, State and local laws; providing protection to the President of the United States and visiting dignitaries; providing protective services to some of the most recognizable monuments, memorials, and special events in the world; and ensuring visitors to these areas are guaranteed their Constitutional rights to free speech and lawful assembly.

She previously served as the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division, where she supervised the investigation of environmental crimes. Chief Taylor joined federal law enforcement in 1999 as a special agent with the United States Secret Service. After 11 years with the Secret Service, she joined the United States Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, serving as the special agent-in-charge of operations and investigations, creating, and advancing the Wildlife Trafficking Initiative. She is an active member of Women in Federal Law Enforcement and the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Chief Taylor earned her bachelor’s degree in public policy from the College of William and Mary.

Assistant Chief of Police

Christopher S. Cunningham

Assistant Chief of Police Christopher S. Cunningham is a 25-year veteran of the United States Park Police and has held a myriad of positions during his career. These assignments included operational and administrative positions with the Force as a Patrol Officer, Motorcycle Officer, Supervisor of the Special Events Unit, Sergeant within Motorcycle Unit, Commander, Rock Creek Station, Commander, SWAT/Canine Unit, Commander, Internal Affairs & Employee Labor Relations Unit, and Commander of the Icon Protection Branch, which oversees the Central District and Special Forces. He is a graduate of the 281st session of the FBI National Academy.

Deputy Chief Homeland Security Division
Jeffrey E. Schneider

Deputy Chief Schneider is a 20-year veteran of the United States Park Police. As the Homeland Security Division Commander, he oversees operations of the Central District, Special Forces, and Intelligence and Counterterrorism Branch in Washington, DC, as well as the New York Field Office. Deputy Chief Schneider holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Connecticut. He is also a graduate of Session #282 of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.

Deputy Chief Field Operations Division
Scott H. Brecht

Deputy Chief Scott Brecht is a 21-year veteran of the United States Park Police. He currently serves as the Commander of the Field Operations Division. The Field Operations Division is comprised of the Patrol Branch, Criminal Investigations, and the San Francisco Field Office. Deputy Chief Brecht is a graduate of Penn State University and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice. He is also a graduate of the 280th session of the FBI National Academy.

Deputy Chief Services Division
Lelani S. Woods

Deputy Chief Woods is a 19-year veteran of the United States Park Police. She currently serves as the Services Division Commander, where she oversees operations of the Technical Services Branch, Office of Workforce Development, and administrative offices that support the sworn mission. The Services Division is inclusive of Information Technology, Physical Security, Radio-Telecommunications, the Force Body Worn Camera Program, Recruiting, Employee Development and Specialized Training. Deputy Chief Woods holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Administration of Justice and Security. She is also a graduate of the 279th session of the FBI National Academy.