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Park Service Details Plans to Fire Park Police Chief NewsMax.com WiresWASHINGTON - The government on Thursday told the chief of the U.S. Park Police, which patrols the National Mall and other landmarks, that it intends to fire her for violating federal rules by going public about budget and staffing problems. Teresa Chambers plans to fight to retain her job, and will cite free speech protections in the First Amendment and the federal whistle-blower law, her lawyer said. An outline of the charges from the National Park Service include insubordination, unauthorized lobbying and public disclosure of budget information, lawyer Peter Noone said. The agency gave Chambers, 46, one week to respond. Noone said she would ask for more time. Chambers told several media organizations on Dec. 2 that she had been forced to cut back on patrols in the capital area because her officers were required to guard national monuments. She also said her department had a $12 million budget shortfall this year and needed $8 million for next year. She was suspended on Dec. 5 and barred from speaking to reporters. Don Murphy, the Park Service's deputy director, said Chambers broke a federal rule against public comment on budget discussions and a rule that bars someone in Chambers' position from lobbying. The Park Police also patrols the grounds of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York Harbor, San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge and Presidio, and some scenic parkways in Maryland and Virginia.
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