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Chief Darien L. Manley Announces His Retirement Effective May 1, 2012
After a distinguished 24-year career with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Chief Darien L. Manley has announced his retirement plans effective May 1, 2012. “It’s been a good ride,” Chief Manley said. “I am proud to say that I have served with the best of the best. I’m looking forward to a new challenge but will miss my colleagues.” Chief Manley has served in both Montgomery County and Prince George’s County as an Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and for the last four years as the Chief of the Montgomery County Division.
Chief Manley is best known for his innovative technology solutions to everyday policing. Under his watch, the Division has been on the cutting edge of technology and communications. Chief Manley was a Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions’ Police Training and Firearms Instructor for more than two decades. He will be joining the State Highway Administration. Chief Manley 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 APCO Public Safety Communications Center Director of the Year for the Mid-Atlantic Region. He was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Prince George’s Parks & Recreation Meritorious Achievement Award. Chief Manley has completed the Maryland Leadership Challenge and the DEA National Drug Enforcement Academy.
“Commander Manley managed his Park Police division with strength and kindness, and with a deep commitment to the parks and community he served,” said Mary Bradford, M-NCPPC Montgomery County Parks Director. “He directed his force through some difficult times and leaves them stronger and well-prepared for the future. He was a key part of the management team for Montgomery Parks, and his shoes will be hard to fill as we search for a new Division Chief for the Park Police. I relied upon Commander Manley’s skills, and respect him both personally and professionally. We will truly miss him.”
Mrs. Deborah Hagberg Awarded APCO Communications Center Director of the Year for 2012
Congratulations to Maryland-National Capital Park Police (M-NCPP) Communications Supervisor Deborah Hagberg on receiving the APCO-International Public-Safety Communications Center Director of the Year Award for 2012. The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) is the world's largest organization of public safety communications professionals. APCO is committed to providing complete public safety communications expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach to benefit its members and the public.
The Maryland-National Capital Park Police is a bi-county agency under the umbrella of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) with two separate Divisions, Chiefs and Communications Centers. Mrs. Hagberg works in the Montgomery County Division which operates 24 hours, seven days a week providing police services to 415 parks comprising more than 35,000 acres of land. The Division houses a full-time Communications Section of 11 dispatchers and supervisors, but is operating with only six full-time dispatchers.
Mrs. Hagberg has been in the Communications Section of M-NCPP since November 1987. She has held progressively responsible positions until becoming the Communications Supervisor in October 2000. Mrs. Hagberg was previously a volunteer EMT for twelve years, attaining the rank of Rescue Sergeant. Mrs. Hagberg is responsible for the daily running of the Communications Section, including staffing, supervision, maintenance and upkeep of equipment, representing the Division at the Council of Governments' Emergency Communications Committee, M-NCPP technology team, and various government committees. However, due to the tremendous staff shortage, Mrs. Hagberg also works several shifts per week on the radio while maintaining her other duties.
“Mrs. Hagberg is a tremendous asset to the Division,” said Assistant Chief Antonio DeVaul. “Her professionalism and dedication to public safety is to be commended.” For Mrs. Hagberg’s devotion to her position as Communications Supervisor, she was honored at the APCO East Coast Division Awards Ceremony on April 12, 2012, at Kent Island, Maryland. Hats off to Mrs. Hagberg on a well-deserved award!
April is Litter enforcement month
From April 1 - 30, 2012, The Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Division, will participate in the second Annual Litter Enforcement Month taking place throughout the Washington, D.C. Metro area. In an effort to reduce litter, Park Police, with support from the Alice Ferguson Foundation and the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Police Chiefs’ Committee, will strictly enforce already existing litter and illegal dumping laws.
“Any pollution that ends up in or on public lands is dangerous to our environment,” said Chief Darien L. Manley. “Whether it is yard waste, plastic bottles or even hazardous materials, it’s all harmful to our water supply and all who consume it. Our goal is to prevent any action that endangers our parkland and our community, so please dispose of trash and recyclables responsibly!”
Park Police Officers will be increasing enforcement of litter-associated violations and offenses. Chapter V, Section 9 of Article 28 of the Maryland Code (M-NCPPC “Park Rules”) provides that:
- No person may deposit, leave, or spill refuse or other substances on Commission Property other than in receptacles provided for this purpose.
- No person may deposit refuse from private premises in Commission trash receptacles.
- No person may store material of any description on Park Property except by written authorization from the Director.
Violations of Park Rules are subject to civil fines of up to $100. In addition, under Maryland Criminal Law, littering penalties can include up to a $25,000 fine and five years in jail. The severity of the penalty is decided by location and amount of litter that is deposited. Graffiti violations are charged under Maryland Criminal Law and can include up to a $2,500 fine and three years in jail, as well as restitution. Citizens are encouraged to report acts of littering and all other violations of Park Rules and Maryland Criminal law to the Maryland-National Capital Park Police by calling 301-949-3010.
Litter Enforcement Month coincides with the Alice Ferguson Foundation’s 24rd Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. During the cleanup, thousands of volunteers will remove trash and debris from the Potomac River at hundreds of sites throughout D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Since 1989, the Potomac River Watershed Cleanups have resulted in the removal of more than five million pounds of litter.
Maryland-National Capital Park Police, Montgomery County Division