The Park Police Division ensures the safety of park patrons and facilities 24 hours a day through crime prevention, apprehension, enforcement of criminal and motor vehicle laws, and enforcement of park rules and regulations.
Contact Park Police
Park Police
8100 Corporate Drive
Landover, MD 20785
Emergency Phone: 301-459-3232
Maryland Relay 7-1-1 for customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability.
Park Police History
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a bi-county, local government agency operating in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties in Maryland.
The Maryland General Assembly established M-NCPPC in 1927 to provide park acquisition, development, and long-range planning. In 1931, M-NCPPC wrote rules and regulations to govern conduct in the parks under its control. Then, through legislation in 1953, the General Assembly created the Maryland-National Capital Park Police to patrol and police all designated parks in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties.
Maryland formed the Maryland-National Capital Park Police in 1954 as a division of M-NCPPC. It began with three officers working six days a week for an annual salary of $3,000 each. The officers shared one police car until it broke down and M-NCPPC bought two used cars to replace it. The Park Police Division created two subdivisions to serve the two counties; one polices the Prince George’s County park system and the other polices the Montgomery County park system. Both subdivisions are now their county’s largest municipal police agencies.
The Prince George’s County Division of the Maryland-National Capital Park Police is the law enforcement arm of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County. It is charged with ensuring the safety of all visitors to the parks and facilities within its jurisdiction in the county. The agency provides year-round protection, 24 hours a day.
The Purpose of Park Police
The purpose of Prince George’s County Park Police Division is to provide a courteous and efficient park police force. Our goal is to ensure all officers maintain a high standard of integrity and ethics in their relationships with the public and other employees and in the discharge of their public safety and security responsibilities. Caring about those we serve is an important part of our work.
Our purpose also includes protecting and conserving the properties, scenery, natural and historical objects, and wildlife within the parks and during the activities of M-NCPPC. We want to provide for enjoyment of the parks and facilities in such a way today that they are left unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.
Mission Statement
The mission of Prince George’s County Park Police Division is to provide professional park police services for The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in partnership with the community and other divisions of the Commission to provide a safe and secure environment, protect life and property, and identify and apprehend violators.
The Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Prince George’s County Division is very active throughout the community.
Officers from this division work in conjunction with other local law enforcement agencies to provide a safe and protected environment for park patrons and employees. The members of the Park Police are well-respected and serve with a willingness to assist whenever called upon. Park Police employees proactively participate in more than 200 community events annually.
Programs
Park Police attend many programs including:
- The annual Prince George’s County Fair
- Beltsville Community Day
- Montpelier Day
Events
Park Police are proud to have attended a National Night Out (NNO) event at Hillcrest Heights Community Center and other NNO events throughout the county. Park Police officers attend career days at schools and other organizations throughout the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.
Community Meetings
The division regularly meets with community groups and M-NCPPC staff to ensure the law enforcement needs of the park system are being met. Park Police managers and supervisors meet with organizations, including the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB), to discuss concerns related to the park system. Staff also attend M-NCPPC quarterly regional meetings.
Vereen Barton
Assistant Chief, Office of Accountability and Oversight/Investigations
Vacant
Records Office Supervisor
Enterprise Mounted Unit Substation
3002 Enterprise Road
Mitchellville, MD 20721
OFFICE: 301-249-2030
Deer Management
Potomac River Waterfront Substation
192 MGM National Avenue
National Harbor, MD 20745
Emergency Phone: 911
Maryland Relay 7-1-1 for customers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability.
