Scott Brecht

Scott H. Brecht was appointed Chief of Police of the United States Park Police (USPP) in September 2025. As Chief, he leads the Force in providing law enforcement, public safety, and protective services in some of the nation's most significant and highly visited public spaces, with primary operational responsibilities in the Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco metropolitan areas.

As Chief of Police, Chief Brecht leads a geographically dispersed, multi-jurisdictional federal law enforcement organization responsible for a broad range of policing, investigative, protective, and major-event operations. The United States Park Police operates across jurisdictional boundaries and works closely with federal, state, and local partners to protect people, nationally significant places, and public spaces while supporting complex law enforcement and public-safety operations.

Chief Brecht has served with the United States Park Police since 2002 and has held progressively responsible assignments spanning patrol, investigations, internal affairs, field command, workforce development, and executive leadership. He began his career as a Patrol Officer at the Anacostia Station and later served as an Investigator in the Narcotics and Vice Unit, Sergeant in the Patrol Branch, and Detective Sergeant in the Internal Affairs Unit.

As a Lieutenant, Chief Brecht commanded District One, where he was responsible for law enforcement operations and security within the National Mall and its nationally significant monuments and memorials. He later served as Assistant Commander and Commander of Criminal Investigations, leading more than 30 investigative personnel responsible for approximately 600 criminal investigations throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area. His command experience has included complex operations involving civil unrest, First Amendment activity, major permitted events, protection of national memorials and monuments, and National Special Security Events, including Presidential Inaugurations.

Chief Brecht subsequently served as Commander of the Office of Workforce Development, providing leadership and program oversight for recruitment and hiring, employee development and training, Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers coordination, personnel security, and employee medical and fitness programs. The programs under his oversight supported approximately 540 sworn personnel across four geographic locations and addressed agency-wide workforce development, recruitment, training, and operational readiness requirements.

Prior to becoming Chief of Police, Chief Brecht served as Deputy Chief and Commander of the Field Operations Division. He directed operational law enforcement functions in the Washington Metropolitan Area and the San Francisco Field Office and provided oversight of the Secretary of the Interior's Special Protection Detail. In this role, he was responsible for the leadership and coordination of the Force's primary operational law enforcement functions across multiple jurisdictions.

Chief Brecht's leadership has emphasized operational readiness, workforce development, interagency collaboration, and the continued advancement of the United States Park Police mission. As Chief, he remains focused on strengthening the Force's capabilities, supporting its personnel, and ensuring the agency is prepared to meet the evolving public safety and law enforcement needs of the communities and nationally significant places it serves.

Chief Brecht earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice from The Pennsylvania State University and is a graduate of the 280th Session of the FBI National Academy. His career recognitions include the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association National Award for Bravery, the United States Park Police Award of Merit, Chief's Certificates, Unit Citation Awards, and more than 150 commendations and awards for police service.