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National Park Service Launches Drive to Hire 500 Law-Enforcement Officers

The agency is offering $70,000 bonuses to quickly place experienced officers in D.C., New York City, San Francisco.

A young boy gazes at a row of horse-mounted police officers at the Presidio in San Francisco in a file photo from 2019. The National Park Service has opened hiring for 500 officers, with San Francisco a key hub, setting up a potential surge in park police.
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The Presidio Visitor Center building in San Francisco in a file photo from Sept. 24, 2024. The National Park Service has opened hiring for 500 officers, with San Francisco a key hub, setting up a potential surge in park police.

Overview

  • The campaign seeks 300 U.S. Park Police positions in the three urban hubs and 200 law-enforcement ranger roles across national parks nationwide.
  • Officials say the push responds to recent staffing shortfalls and comes as parks reopen following a government shutdown.
  • Eligibility targets seasoned candidates who have completed a recognized academy or served as sworn officers within the last three years.
  • New hires must complete a four-week bridge course for an NPS commission followed by at least 11 weeks of field training with veteran personnel.
  • Job listings describe duties from criminal investigations to crowd management and emergency response, with specialized units such as aviation, K9, SWAT and mounted patrols, and local reporting notes some postings have already hit application limits in the Bay Area.