A United States Park Police officer must possess these qualities to be successful in meeting these responsibilities. They include:
Initiative.
The ability to assume responsibility and to handle emergency situations independently.
Social skills including the ability to communicate effectively with persons of various cultural, economic, and ethnic backgrounds.
The ability to learn a wide variety of subjects quickly and correctly.
The desire and ability to adapt to technological and sociological changes.
The maturity to remain calm and objective and provide leadership in emotionally charged situations.
The physical strength and endurance to perform these exacting duties.
To be a United States Park Police officer, you must:
Be a citizen of the United States
Be at least 21 years of age and not reach your 35st birthday before appointment
Have 20/100 vision or better that is correctable to 20/20 with glasses or contact lenses
Have a high school diploma or equivalent
Honorable active duty military experience of at least 2 years may be qualifying
Have 2 years of education above high school level
Have 2 years of progressively responsible experience that has demonstrated the ability to learn and apply detailed and complex regulations and procedures
OR
Have a combination of acceptable experience and education of at least 2 years. In combining educational and experience, and academic year of study (30 semester hours or 45 quarters hours) will be considered equivalent to 1 year of experience
be of good moral character. A full background investigation will be conducted by the Office of Personnel Management
Pass the required written examination. (A three-part test consisting of name and number comprehension, reading comprehension and mathematical reasoning. The test normally takes approximately two hours and thirty minutes.)
Pass the physical fitness battery of tests.
Body Composition - assessment determined by either subcutaneous fat-fold measurement or bio-electric impedance measurement, taken from chest, waist and thigh.
Body Weight Pushed Standard - Muscular strength determined with ONE maximal repetition chest press. Applicant will have five (5) attempts
Trunk Flexion Standards - Flexibility determined by seated forward flexion (sit and reach) evaluation. Applicant will have two (2) attempts
Agility Run Standards - Agility measured by negotiating a timed obstacle course (Illinois agility course). Applicant will have two (2) attempts
1.5 Mile Run Standard - Cardiovascular endurance measured with a timed 1.5 mile walk/run. Applicant will have one (1) attempt
Satisfactorily complete an oral interview. A panel of United States Park Police officers review information applicant provided from the initial processing phase
Possess a valid automobile driver's license
Satisfactorily complete the prescribed training required for recruits after appointment
Satisfactorily complete a probationary period of one (1) year
Interested persons may ONLY apply when the test is announced by the Office of Personnel Management. Military personnel may apply to the Office of Personnel Management to take the examination within 120 days prior to or within 120 days after honorable discharge. Further information may also be obtained by telephoning (202) 619-7056, or by writing the United States Park Police Personnel Office, at 1100 Ohio Drive S.W., Washington, D.C. 20242