National Center for Women and Policing- An Editorial
Margaret Moore, Director

December 9, 2003

US Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers was placed on leave yesterday and her police powers were revoked because she violated what her superior says are two federal regulations. According to today’s Washington Post, Chief Chambers stated that her department had a 12 million dollar shortfall this year and that another 8 million was needed for next year. Chief Chambers also stated she had to cut back patrolling in certain areas to meet staffing demands placed on that agency by her superiors.

It is not surprising that the first woman chief of the US Park Police is now facing this type of intense scrutiny. It also seems selective enforcement of federal regulations is alive and well when it comes to measuring the flaws of federal executives, namely women.

The federal regulations she is accused of violating amounts to “lobbying” and “discussing budget proposals before they are finalized” says her boss, Don Murphy, Deputy Director of the National Park Service.

Transportation Security Administration explained its “right sizing” program when that agency reduced its workforce by over 6000 screeners due to budgetary constraints in September 2003. The head of the agency Mr. Loy shifted resources and employed part-timers thereby reassuring the public that all was well. No revoking of federal authority for that federal executive from his superior Mr. Tom Ridge.

Chief Chambers probably is not being mentored in the fine art of “washingtonspeak” and clearly that is what is going on in this situation. Chief Chambers violated the “chat rules” that most boys use so as not to “tick-off” the other boys in power.

Why it was only last year when another woman in law enforcement faced the wrath of her own agency when she choose to speak about the FBI and its quagmire of approvals at the headquarters level which in effect, kept agents from trying to “connect the dots” before September, 11, 2001.

When it comes to government liability issues you have to become acquainted with the art of saying it so the public doesn’t get too alarmed at the situation or else, you have violated the federal regulations.

This is the same type of garbage that gets our country into trouble; not allowing our law enforcement leaders to express clearly and accurately the state of the union. We need fearless leaders, and those who try to instill “fear” in those that try to protect us should be the ones whose constitutional authority is revoked.