Monday, August 18, 2014

2014 Aircrew of the Year


Photo provided by Ryan Mason - Airborne Productions, courtesy of the Airborne Law Enforcement Association. Pictured ALEA President Kurt Frisz, Pilot Sergeant Kenneth Burchell, Rescue Technician Sergeant David Tolson and Airbus Helicopters Law Enforcement Market Sales Manager Ed Van Winkle
 On Friday, July 18, 2014, United States Park Police Pilot Sergeant Kenneth Burchell and Rescue Technician Sergeant David Tolson received the Airborne Law Enforcement Association (ALEA) Captain ‘Gus’ Crawford Memorial Aircrew of the Year Award for 2014. Captain Gus Crawford, a law enforcement aviation pioneer, was the commanding officer of the New York Police Department (NYPD) Aviation Bureau at the time of its founding. The Captain ‘Gus’ Crawford Memorial Aircrew of the Year Award acknowledges a pilot and/or crewmember(s) whose flying efforts and proficiency characterize ALEA’s motto, “To Serve and Protect from the Air.”

For the nomination period of April 1, 2013 – March 31, 2014, the United States Park Police was nominated twice for the flying efforts during the Navy Yard shooting on September 16, 2013.

On September 16, 2013, a lone gunman entered Building 197 at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, DC, and began shooting personnel at the Navy Yard, creating an active shooter incident. As calls for help were received, multiple law enforcement agencies responded. The United States Park Police helicopter Eagle I, crewed by Pilot/Sergeant Kenneth Burchell and Rescue Technician/Sergeant David Tolson, was requested by the Washington Metropolitan Police Department to assist. The Navy Yard is located directly across the Anacostia River from their hangar, also known as “the Eagle’s Nest.” A request was made, by Sergeant Tolson, for additional aircraft due to the possibility of a mass casualty incident. Due to the proximity of the Washington Navy Yard to Washington/Reagan National Airport, Eagle I notified Washington Tower, who in turn diverted air traffic from the immediate area and designated Eagle I as “airboss,” for aircraft coordination in the Navy Yard area.

On this tragic day, the crew of Eagle I initially assisted with aerial reconnaissance and perimeter control, simultaneously becoming Air Traffic Control. The crew then switched roles for the deployment of SWAT personnel and reconfigured for the extraction of a critically injured female, which resulted in a medevac transport. The crew returned to deploy another SWAT officer and extract the final three survivors. In the final phase, they returned to reconnaissance and perimeter control. Air Operations terminated with a total of 5.5 hours flight time. All of these operations were conducted with an active shooter below them.

For these brave acts of resilience, the Airborne Law Enforcement Association proudly awarded Sergeant/Pilot Kenneth Burchell and Sergeant/Rescue Technician David Tolson the 2014 Captain “Gus” Crawford Memorial Air Crew of the Year Award. Officer/Rescue Technician Michael Abate was also presented an ALEA Presidential Citation for his roles in the incident.

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

National Night Out

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Cathy Lanier, District of Columbia Mayor Vincent C. Gray and United States Park Police Acting Chief Rob D. MacLean welcome the community to the 31st annual National Night Out events in Washington, D.C. 

In 1984, an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities was introduced to creat police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie, and send a message to criminals to let them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.


 
The National Association of Town Watch (NATW), a non-profit organization dedicated to the develoopment and promotion of various crime prevention programs including neighborhood watch groups, law enforcement agencies, State and regional crime prevention associations, and other groups devoted to safter communities, introduced National Night Out, "America's Night Out Against Crime."

Joining in the celebration of 31 years of National Night Out service, the United States Park Police Field Offices participated in the 2014 National Night Out program on Tuesday, August 5, 2014.


U.S. Park Police officers from Washington, DC, participated in activities in River Terrace Park, Fort Circle Park, and various locations in Alexandria, VA. The San Francisco Field Office joined the San Francisco Police Department and Fire Department at the Ernest Ingold Boys and Girls Club to interact with the community and promote agency awareness.
 
 
 
 




 

 

 
 

Monday, August 4, 2014

National Night Out

The Untied States Park Police (USPP) invite you to participate in free National Night Out events
on Tuesday, August 5, 2014

 











River Terrace Park @ Benning Road and Anacostia Ave. NE
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Enjoy a bike ride led by USPP and Metropolitan Police Department that highlights the Anacostia River Trail, Face painting, free bike safety checks and tune-ups, games, music and a showing of the “Lego Movie” at 8:30 PM
 
 
Fort Circle Park @ South Dakota Ave. between Galloway & Gallatin Streets NE
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Experience the historic, cultural and natural resources of Fort Circle
Festivities will include giveaways promoting youth safety to include youth finger printing “Identa-Kits”
 

Alexandria, VA
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
USPP Officers from the George Washington Memorial Park Station will visit:
 
Nauck Neighborhood at Drew Model Elementary School,  Arlington VA


New Alexandria at 6422 Wood Haven Road
Belle View Condos at 1204 Belle View Blvd
Buck ell Manor 6800 block of Duke Drive
 

USPP and Alexandria PD will team up at Charles Houston Rec. Center 
located at 905 Wythe St.  
for a obstacle fun course for the kids to enjoy