Park News October 1,2008

Ocmulgee National Monument

The 17th annual Ocmulgee Indian Celebration was held between Friday, September 19th, and Sunday, September 21st. Approximately 15,000 people attended the event. On Friday, during the “school day” portion of the event, approximately 4,300 area second graders attended. Over 200 Native Americans participated in this year’s event. Rangers and administrative and maintenance staff from Andersonville, Gulf Islands, Horseshoe Bend, Kennesaw Mountain, Jimmy Carter, Martin Luther King and Timucuan provided assistance to park staff, local deputies, Ocmulgee National Monument Association staff, and volunteers (a total of 112 volunteers contributed 435 hours). One person suffering from medical problems was transported to the hospital. The event was managed under ICS, with chief ranger Guy LaChine serving as the IC.  

 

United States Park Police

Patrick C. Smith has been selected for promotion to the position of major for the Patrol Branch in the Operations Division in Washington, DC. He will be responsible for overseeing patrol operations in the National Capital Region. The effective date of the promotion was September 28th.  

Pat has 21 years of service with the U.S. Park Police. He formerly served as a Park Police captain as the regional law enforcement specialist for National Capital Region and as the Patrol Branch East District commander overseeing NCP-East.  His other command positions as a lieutenant include assignments to the Shift Commander’s Office, as the assistant commander of the Planning and Development Unit, and the commander of SWAT and Canine Unit in Washington, DC.  He has also been assigned to SWAT as a sergeant and as an officer and to the Criminal Investigations Branch as a criminal investigator.

Pat has also been involved as an International Association of Chief’s of Police visiting fellow. Pat is fluent in Spanish and he has been detailed to the Secretary of the Interior’s protection detail on six trips to Latin America since 1989.

He holds a bachelor of arts degree from George Mason University in government and politics and has completed graduate level courses from the University of Virginia. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Pat and his wife Janet have been married for 20 years.  They have a daughter in college and a son in high school.  Pat was a collegiate wrestler, holds a black belt in judo and a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and assists in coaching his son in wrestling.

“Pat brings significant leadership and experience to the Patrol Branch with his diverse background,” stated acting assistant chief Sal Lauro.  “I expect him to hit the ground running and to provide motivation and guidance to the patrol officers under his command.”

 

Assateague Island National Seashore

The park will be hiring a GS-0025-7 protection ranger for the coming winter season. Candidates must have completed a six-week NPS law enforcement training course or the equivalent. Government housing is available. The announcement (GETT-08-29DEU) closes on October 10th. For a copy of the announcement with details on duties and application instructions, click on the link below. For additional details, contact ranger Dana Condron at 443-614-9896).



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