A new chief of the U.S. Park Police is taking over this month.
In a report last year, the Interior Department inspector general found that the Park Police neglected security at landmarks and was plagued by understaffing and poor leadership. Now officials say they are responding to the report and have named Salvatore Lauro to take over the force.
Lauro began his career as a police officer in Washington in 1978, according to the Park Service Web site. Lauro moved to the the Park Service's New York Field office in 1985, and he later served as a regional specialist in the Southwestern U.S. Lauro returned to Washington in 1997 and has held several positions here. He has been the Park Police's acting assistant chief since March.
Lauro will manage more than 600 officers and oversee law enforcement at parks across the country.
Rebecca Blatt reports...
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