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 Scott H. Brecht

Scott H. Brecht was appointed Chief of Police of the United States Park Police (USPP) in September 2025. He leads a multi-jurisdictional federal law enforcement organization responsible for providing law enforcement, public safety, and protective services in some of the nation's most significant public spaces, with primary operational responsibilities in the Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco metropolitan areas.

Chief Brecht began his career with the United States Park Police in 2002 and has held progressively responsible leadership positions spanning patrol operations, criminal investigations, internal affairs, workforce development, and executive command. His assignments have included Commander of District One, Commander of Criminal Investigations, and Commander of the Office of Workforce Development. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Police, he served as Deputy Chief and Commander of the Field Operations Division, overseeing law enforcement operations across multiple jurisdictions and the Secretary of the Interior's Special Protection Detail. Throughout his career, he has led complex law enforcement and security operations involving major national events, civil unrest, and Presidential Inaugurations.

Chief Brecht earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice from The Pennsylvania State University and is a graduate of the 280th Session of the FBI National Academy. His professional recognitions include the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association National Award for Bravery, the United States Park Police Award of Merit, and more than 150 commendations and awards for police service. His leadership emphasizes operational readiness, workforce development, interagency collaboration, and supporting the personnel entrusted with protecting the nation's most significant public spaces.

Assistant Chief Jeffrey Schneider

Assistant Chief Schneider is a 21-year veteran of the United States Park Police (USPP). As the Assistant Chief, he oversees operations of the Homeland Security Division, Field Operations Division, Services Division, Office of Business Services, and Office of Professional Responsibility. Prior to his current assignment, Assistant Chief Schneider was the Homeland Security Division Commander, overseeing operations of the Central District, Special Forces, and Intelligence and Counterterrorism Branch in Washington, DC, as well as the New York Field Office.

During Assistant Chief Schneider’s USPP tenure, he has held assignments as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Instructor, Plainclothes Crime Patrol Officer, Shift Commander, Commander of the Special Weapons and Tactics Team and Canie Unit, Central District Operations Commander, Commander of the West District, and Commander of the Technical Services Branch.

Assistant 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 (FBINA).

Deputy Chief Frank Hilsher

Homeland Security Division

Deputy Chief Frank Hilsher serves as the Commander of the Homeland Security Division of the United States Park Police (USPP), where he provides executive leadership and oversight of the division's homeland security, icon protective operations, intelligence, and specialized law enforcement responsibilities to Washington, DC and New York, NY.

In this capacity, Deputy Chief Hilsher is entrusted with supporting the security and protection of some of our nation's most recognizable landmarks, monuments, memorials, and national icons. His command responsibilities encompass critical homeland security functions, operational readiness, and coordinated law enforcement efforts designed to address evolving security challenges while preserving public access to America's treasured national spaces.

The Homeland Security Division plays an essential role in protecting national icons and the millions of visitors who experience them each year. Its responsibilities include intelligence and counterterrorism operations, specialized protective services, the coordination of security operations, and support for major national events and activities throughout the United States Park Police's areas of responsibility.

Under his leadership, the division supports a comprehensive approach to public safety that emphasizes preparedness, professionalism, operational coordination, and effective partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Deputy Chief Hilsher's position reflects the United States Park Police's longstanding commitment to protecting the nation's most significant cultural and historic resources while safeguarding the constitutional rights and freedoms of the American public.

As Commander of the Homeland Security Division, Deputy Chief Hilsher contributes to the United States Park Police's enduring mission of protecting the people, places, and national symbols entrusted to its care.

Deputy Chief Hilsher has previously held command roles as the Icon Protection Branch Commander, the Special Forces Commander and the Assistant Commander of Criminal Investigations. Prior to his command positions, Deputy Chief Hilsher was a Detective Sergeant on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Joint Terrorism Taskforce, Crime Patrol Unit Sergeant and a District 1 patrol sergeant.

Deputy Chief Hilsher holds a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Marywood University and a BA in Criminal Justice from King's College.

Deputy Chief David Lamond

Field Operations Division

Deputy Chief Lamond currently serves as the Field Operations Division Commander, where he oversees operations of the Patrol Branch, Criminal Investigations, the San Francisco Field Office, and the Special Protection Detail. He joined the United States Park Police in 2008. Deputy Chief Lamond previously served as the commander of the Patrol Branch, commander of Criminal Investigations, and commander of the Special Events Unit. Deputy Chief Lamond holds a Bachelor of the Arts in Criminal Justice and Political Science from The George Washington University. He is also a graduate of the 288th session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.

Deputy Chief Lelani Woods

Services Division

Deputy Chief Woods holds over 20 years of service with 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.