Park Police chief seeks independent investigation

Lawyers representing National Park Police Chief Teresa Chambers said they have lost faith in the ability of the Interior Department to settle her insubordination and harassment case internally and plan to request an independent investigation this week.

Chambers' legal team contends that Interior officials misrepresented the case during congressional briefings last week, are waging a "whisper campaign" to discredit Chambers and have a conflict of interest when it comes to investigating the matter, said Jeff Ruch, executive director of Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, which is part of the defense team.

"We think this whole affair makes a mockery of the merit system," Ruch said, adding that the legal team would likely ask the U.S. Office of Special Counsel this week to review the case.

Chambers was put under a gag order and placed on administrative leave with pay last month after she told the media her agency faced serious budget and personnel shortfalls. Park Service Deputy Director Donald Murphy charged Chambers with improper budget communications, making public remarks regarding security on federal property, improper disclosure of budget deliberations, improper lobbying, failure to carry out a supervisor's instructions, and failure to follow the chain of command.

Chambers appealed the charges to Paul Hoffman, the Interior Department's deputy assistant secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Hoffman has not yet issued a decision. Chambers also alleged she faced systematic harassment while working under Murphy.

Ruch contends that National Park Service officials told congressional staffers last week that Chambers is being irrational because she refused a settlement offer from management in December. However, Ruch said the officials failed to tell staffers that the offer would restrict Chambers from communicating with Congress or the media without prior approval by management, including approval from Murphy.

"Chief Chambers rejected the offer, concerned that continued micromanagement and interference from Murphy would have rendered her and the United States Park Police ineffective," PEER said in a statement. "Although this offer was extended with a request for confidentiality, last week Park Service officials breached that confidentiality when they revealed information about the settlement negotiations to members of Congress."

Specifcally, Ruch said, officials briefed staffers with the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.

Spokespersons for the committee and Interior Department were unable to confirm details of the briefing.

Ruch claimed Park Service officials are also waging a "whisper campaign" to discredit efforts Chambers made to reform the Park Police. Ruch added that the legal team does not believe Hoffman can render a fair decision because the case involves an official in a position above him. According to the charges, Chambers failed to follow the chain of command by convincing Interior Deputy Secretary Steve Griles to cancel an order given by Murphy.

"We have some concerns that Mr. Hoffman is being asked to judge the conduct of his superiors," Ruch said. "We have severe doubts about his objectivity."

Peter Noone, another lawyer representing Chambers, confirmed last week the legal team is planning to seek relief through the Office of Special Counsel, which protects federal employees from prohibited personnel practices, especially retaliation for whistleblowing.