UNITED STATES PARK POLICE

PRESS RELEASE

National Park Service Names  

First Woman U. S. Park Police Chief

Washington, D.C. - National Park Service Director Fran Mainella today announced the appointment of Teresa C. Chambers as Chief, United States Park Police. The appointment marks the first time a woman has held the position as Chief of the U.S. Park Police force with an authorized staff of 800.

 "I am very excited that Chief Chambers has accepted this historic challenge." She is a highly qualified professional law enforcement officer, with the distinct ability to enhance our department," Director Mainella said. "I look forward to working with Chief Chambers and welcome the high level of enthusiasm she brings to this position."

 Chambers comes to the U.S. Park Police from the position of Chief of Police of the nearly 600­person Durham, North Carolina Police Department, a position Chambers has held since January 1998. Prior to the North Carolina job, Chambers worked for 21 years for the Prince George's County, Maryland, Police Department, beginning as a Police Cadet in 1976 and rising to the rank of major in 1993. She retired in 1997 from Prince George's County at the rank of major, serving as the Commander of District 1, to accept the job as Chief of Police in Durham.

 "The opportunity to lead the men and women of the prestigious U.S. Park Police force is the professional opportunity of a lifetime," said Chambers. "I am honored to have been selected for such a significant leadership position, and I look forward to serving both my profession and our nation in such a worthwhile undertaking."

 Chambers brings strong academic credentials to the job, holding a Masters Degree in Applied Behavioral Science from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 grade point average. Chambers also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in law enforcement from the University of Maryland, College Park, graduating Cum Laude with a grade point average of 3.77.

An advocate of thorough Police training, Chambers has completed additional training courses, National Executive Institute and the F.B.I.'s National Academy, as well as  completion of the Chiefs Program of the Maryland Police Training Commission. Chambers is a graduate of the Prince George's County Police Academy, completing the training course in December 1978.

 Some of Chambers' accomplishments as Chief of Police in Durham, NC include implementing bi-weekly Crime Abatement briefings modeled after a similar program by the New York Police Department of a Special Investigations Division, designed for rapid deployment to areas needing increased police presence

 In Prince George's County, Chambers is credited with expanding the Community Oriented Policing (COPs) effort in District 1, resulting in a reduction in violent crime and property crimes. Chambers also is noted for developing rapport and a strong working relationship with 16 Prince George's County municipal governments and 13 municipal chiefs of police within District 1, resulting in cooperative crime reduction and community service efforts.

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Last up dated  03/03/06 03:24 PM by vej