National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers

There are several types of National Park Service jurisdiction. Jurisdiction is set by the enabling legislation for each individual unit of the NPS and is considered part of the Special Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction of the United States. Law enforcement on NPS lands with exclusive jurisdiction is solely conducted by NPS Law Enforcement Rangers or the US Park Police. Many NPS units have concurrent jurisdiction and share law enforcement authority with their state and/or local county law enforcement agencies. Some National Park Service units have proprietary or partial jurisdiction where law enforcement authority for certain serious incidents lies with the state or county.[2] Most NPS units have memorandums of understanding with outside law enforcement agencies, so that policies are in place when and if outside agency assistance is needed.

Generally speaking the laws enforced on NPS lands are covered in Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations. The NPS also enforces United States Code. Title 16 of the United States Code, Title 18 of the United States Code and Title 21 of the United States Code are enforced most commonly. The National Park Service generally also has the authority to enforce any state law not covered already by federal laws under the Assimilative Crimes Act, 18 U.S.C. § 13. However, by policy the National Park Service cannot charge violators with a state offense that has a harsher penalty than an equivalent federal law already on the books. Commissioned National Park Service employees must follow all policies outlined in DOI reference manuals and director's orders in performance of their duties.[3][4]

Law enforcement rangers and special agents enforce federal laws and regulations governing NPS lands and resources. These personnel can also enforce some or all state laws on NPS lands. As part of that mission, LEOs carry firearms and defensive equipment, make arrests, execute search warrants, complete reports and testify in court. They establish a regular and recurring presence on a vast amount of public lands, roads, and recreation sites. The primary focus of their jobs is the protection of natural resources, protection of NPS employees and the protection of visitors.[5][6] To cover the vast and varied terrain under their jurisdiction, NPS employees use numerous types of vehicles, horses, aircraft, UTVs, ATVs, snowmobiles, dirt bikes and boats.[7]

There are different types of law enforcement employees including Type I (permanent) and Type II (seasonal) law enforcement rangers and special agents. Type 1 Law Enforcement Rangers and special agents receive their training through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) Brunswick, Georgia, where they attend a lengthy and rigorous law enforcement training program. The basic training for Law Enforcement Rangers is 83 training days under the Land Management Police Training program (LMPT).[10] Once graduated the Law Enforcement Ranger is then assigned a field training park and upon completion returns to their duty station. Type II (seasonal) law enforcement rangers receive their training through the FLETC-accredited Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy at seven colleges throughout the country.

The United States Office of Personnel Management provides the following guidance concerning education requirements for all park rangers:

Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- natural resource management, natural sciences, earth sciences, history, archeology, anthropology, park and recreation management, law enforcement/police science, social sciences, museum sciences, business administration, public administration, behavioral sciences, sociology, or other closely related subjects pertinent to the management and protection of natural and cultural resources. Course work in fields other than those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance in the position to be filled.

Since 1913, 41 Law Enforcement Rangers have been documented by the United States Department of the Interior to have been killed in the line of duty.[11] According to U.S. Department of Justice statistics, National Park Service Law Enforcement Rangers suffer the highest number of felonious assaults, and the highest number of homicides of all federal law enforcement officers.

• Pennaz, Alice B. Kelly (2017-07-01). "Is that Gun for the Bears? The National Park Service Ranger as a Historically Contradictory Figure". Conservation and Society. 15 (3): 243. doi:10.4103/cs.cs_16_62 (inactive 2021-01-14). ISSN 0972-4923.CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of January 2021 (link)