Skip to Navigation | Skip to Content

» Back to: » Parks home » Park Police

Protecting Your Parks

We are dedicated to protecting the park system and residents of Montgomery County, Maryland. Read our trail safety tips and join our Park Watch Program. Also check out Montgomery County parks and facilities crime reports online. In the event of an emergency, call 301-949-3010.

Latest news

ParkWatch featured on October's episode of "The Parks Show"

ParkWatch: Park Police counts on park neighbors and the community to help do their part to keep the parks safe and welcoming to all.  Learn about Park Police’s new ParkWatch initiative and how you can be a better park neighbor by not encroaching on park property, dumping unwanted items on parkland, etc. 

Episode 202: Park Watch from M-NCPPC videos

Montgomery County Department of Parks Promotes Darien L. Manley as Head of Park Police

Darien L. Manley, Acting Park Police Division Chief in the Montgomery County Department of Parks since March 2008, was promoted September 3, 2009, to head the Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Division.

“I am delighted that Commander Manley has agreed to continue to serve the Department of Parks and our community in this important and challenging role,” said Director of Parks Mary Bradford. “He has proven his leadership ability and represents the best of this department and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.”

Manley began his career with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police on August 17, 1987. He attended the Montgomery County Police Academy in that same year. During his career, he has worked, supervised or played a role in every section in the Montgomery County Park Police Division: serving as detective, patrol officer and supervisor.

He also directed the Support Operations Branch of the Prince George's County Park Police Division for two and a half years. He has been a Maryland Police and Correction Training Commissions police trainer and Firearms Instructor for almost two decades and is active in the Montgomery County Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee, Montgomery County Emergency Management Group and Montgomery County Executive's Positive Youth Development Initiative Steering Committee. He also served as treasurer and bargaining team member for the Maryland-National Capital Park Police Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #30.

Manley has received numerous commendations and awards from the community, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and other public safety agencies and organizations, including national recognition as the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Public Safety Communications Center Director of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Currently, Manley is active in the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Recreation and Parks Association and the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association.

Manley is a strong proponent of community policing and supports the use of technology to improve the safety of Montgomery County’s parks. 

Press releases

Date of last update: December 1, 2009