A smaller event may only entail the deployment of a small contingent of personnel; however, a larger or controversial event entails the deployment of several specialized units (to include SWAT, Aviation, Horse Mounted Patrol, Reactionary Teams, and the Motorcycle Unit). The potential for counter protest groups during these events creates additional concerns. Despite the obvious enforcement aspect associated with these events, the Constitutional rights and safety of these groups remain paramount in determining asset deployment and action. The USPP takes extreme pride in the fact that the occurrences of litigation or serious incidents/injuries related to these events have been extremely minimal. A majority of these events take place in the nation’s capital, adjacent to the White House, the monuments and memorials, the U.S. Capitol, and on the National Mall. Therefore, all of these events receive national and international media attention and public scrutiny. Notwithstanding the focused attention and scrutiny of these crowd management and security efforts, the USPP remains highly regarded by the community, the media, and the groups themselves. Maintaining order during demonstrations, special events, and other planned and unplanned events and emergencies, the Special Forces Branch is also responsible for providing Presidential security and dignitary escorts.

The National Park Service, Division of Park Programs, located in the National Capital Region Headquarters building, issues approximately 4,000 permits per year, including those for public gatherings (special events and demonstrations), filming and photography. The permit system is intended to help assure, to the extent possible, that the multitude of activities that may be taking place on any given day will not conflict with each other or with general visitor activities. Park areas administered by this office include National Mall & Memorial Parks, President’s Park, Rock Creek Park, National Capital Parks East, George Washington Memorial Parkway, Manassas National Battlefield Park, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Prince William Forest Park, Ford's Theater, and the portion of Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park from Georgetown to the Monocacy River Aqueduct. Please note that applications, unless determined to be a First Amendment activity, must be accompanied by a $50.00 payment for initial processing. The application processing cost represents the average costs incurred by the park in mailing, distribution and initial review of applications to make sure the information supplied is sufficient to inform a decision. Payment of application costs may be in the form of check, money order, or credit card.

This office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., except holidays.