Explosives Roundtable

On June 12 2014, The Preparedness Leadership Council International (PLC) hosted a roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C., at the United States Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility. Charles Guddemi, a federal law enforcement officer, led the discussion on “Explosives ‘Left of Boom’,” which addressed topics related to preventing, detecting, and deterring incidents involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Based on that discussion, surveys were sent to members of the preparedness community as well as the public to find out how they define success in terms of IEDs, which investments they believe should be made, how they perceive current and future threats, and perhaps most importantly how they weigh protection versus privacy.

"When those towers went down, the earth shook on both islands…. And now, most of us spend all of our waking and sleeping hours defending our liberties." – Charles Guddemi (referring to New York after the 9/11 attacks).


Preparedness Leadership Council International Report: Explosives "Left of Boom"

Officers Complete Motor Training School

Motor Officer Robert Steenland demonstrates cone course

The United States Park Police (USPP) hosted a 2-week Motor training school for law enforcement officers.

Riders from U.S. Park Police, Rockville City PD, and Charlotte-Mecklenburg PD, North Carolina successfully completed an advanced riding program consisting of obstacle courses, cone courses, speed drills, and power breaking maneuvers.

A graduation ceremony took place on October 3, 2014, at the Anacostia Operations Facility in Washington, DC.

Officer Carl Hiott of the U.S. Park Police received acknowledgement for obtaining the highest combined score on the written test and two timed cone courses.

Ofc. Hiott (center) is congratulated for obtaining top score during Motor Training School. Left -Right Lt. T. Reid, Ofc. E. Sinkeldam, Capt. S. Booker, Ofc. D. Fowler, Major J. Burks, Ofc. R. Steenland and Lt. M. Adamchik

CONTOMS Ceremony





Allen Yee and Chris Harding, Chesterfield Fire, Ric Smith, Buckley Fire, James Laska, U.S. Park Police, Erica Carney, Washington University EMS Physician

   On September 26, 2014, the United States Park Police hosted the 117th Counter Narcotics Terrorism Operational Medical Support (CONTOMS) Graduation Ceremony at the Anacostia Operations Facility in Washington, DC.

Forty-six (46) members from various agencies partnered together for a one-week EMT-Tactical (EMT-T) Course.

The course consisted of a 56-hour continuing education module for providers who are already trained at the EMT-B level or higher.

The training included classroom work, practical skills laboratories, and a Field Training Exercise (FTX).

Topics covered include:

• Medical Threat Assessment

• Downed Officer Rescue

• Care Under Fire

• Special Equipment and Kits

• Toxic Hazards

• Medical Support of Specific Operations


The History of CONTOMS

USPP SWAT Teams Compete In Iron Team Event

Officer Michael Fermaint lifting stone barbell during Prince Georges County’s fifth annual Iron Team Competition

On Wednesday, October 1, 2014, members of the United States Park Police (USPP) Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit participated in the 5th annual Iron Team Competition hosted by the Prince George's County Police Department.

A total of 34 teams entered the competition, to include two USPP SWAT teams, other local police department SWAT/ERT Teams, Military Special Ops teams, and teams from as far as northern New Jersey. The competition consisted of numerous strength, endurance, and cardio challenges.

USPP Team 1 consisting of Officer Michael Ocetnik, Officer Michael Fermaint, Officer Jack Edington, and Officer Todd Monfette finished 5th out of 34 teams. All unit members who participated, volunteered, coached, and supported the event did an outstanding job of representing themselves, the unit, and the Force.

Two From DOI Complete Executive Leader Course

Rob MacLean, Acting Chief of the United States Park Police, and Kristen Oleyte, the Department of the Interior's Senior Advisor to the United States Pacific Command





Kristen Oleyte (the Department of the Interior's Senior Advisor to the United States Pacific Command) and Rob MacLean (Acting Chief of the United States Park Police), completed the Executive Leaders Program at the Naval Postgraduate School’s (NPS) Center for Homeland Defense and Security on August 14.

The goal of the Executive Leaders Program is to enhance senior leaders’ capacity to develop policies and strategies and while strengthening working relationships across the jurisdictional boundaries of regions, agencies, local-state-tribal-federal governments and the private sector. Students study the interdisciplinary concepts that comprise homeland security.

Participants met for four one-week intensive sessions over a nine-month period at the NPS Center for Homeland Defense and Security in Monterey, California. The 31 participants represent a snapshot of homeland security across the country and include professionals from the Department of Homeland Security, and agencies within it, as well as emergency management, the military, law enforcement, fire safety, state and municipal governments, public health, and the private sector.

The Executive Leaders Program is part of a series of graduate and executive level education programs sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Preparedness Directorate, FEMA, and developed and conducted by the NPS Center for Homeland Defense and Security.

Awards and Promotions Ceremony Held




Acting Chief of Police Robert D. MacLean, Sergeant David Hurley, Officer Ryan Evasick, Sergeant Keaton Wright and Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection Cam Sholly.
Photo taken by Tami Heilemann, Department of Interior


On Thursday, September 18th, the United States Park Police held an awards and promotion ceremony.

The ceremony was held at the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility in Washington, DC. A total of 22 awards were conferred to recognize Force personnel for their service and continued contributions to the public. Awards including a Chief’s Certificate of Appreciation, eight Unit Citations, three Chief’s Certificates for Outstanding Police Service, and ten Lifesaving Awards.

Promotions included:

*Officer Pasquale Tesi, who was promoted to the rank of sergeant in the San Francisco Field Office

*Sergeant David Williams, who was promoted to lieutenant in the San Francisco Field Office

*Captain Noreen Schirmer, who was promoted to major and commander of the San Francisco Field Office, and

*Captain Charles Guddemi, who was promoted to major, Icon Protection Branch.

Crew Of Eagle Two Makes Two Same-Day Rescues

On September 1st, USPP Lieutenant Simeon Klebaner and Ranger Michelle Schonzeit went hiking on Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park when they came upon a severely injured hiker.

While attempting to help the hiker out of the backcountry, they became concerned that wet terrain and potential storms would impede them in their efforts and might also cause additional injury to the victim. Klebaner accordingly contacted the Park Police Aviation Unit and asked for a helicopter extrication.

Pilot Officer Evasick and Rescue Technicians Sergeant Tolson and Sergeant Robbins responded in Eagle Two and conducted a hoist rescue of the injured hiker.

Once the injured hiker was safely delivered to the hospital, U.S. Park Police units responded to a call of an injured 12-year-old with a traumatic leg injury on the Billy Goat Trail at Great Falls Park. Eagle Two headed to that location, where they made another hoist rescue.

The Aviation Unit has completed 16 hoist rescues since this past January, surpassing 2013’s ten hoist rescues conducted throughout the course of the year.