Amid the federal government’s takeover of D.C.’s police department and the use of federal agencies for additional crime fighting activities in the nation’s capital, the union representing U.S. Park Police officers said the additional work is coming in the face of a staffing shortage.

“Right now, the United States Park Police are at the lowest that I’ve ever seen,” said Ken Spencer, chair of the U.S. Park Police Fraternal Order of Police. “It’s just not sustainable, and we’re not going to be able to keep up with that.”

U.S. Park Police not only covers the National Mall, but also some local national parks and parkways, including the George Washington Parkway, Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Suitland Parkway.

Spencer said over the past decade, the staffing levels have decreased and depart

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