Charles J. Guddemi Retirement

DomPrep would like to announce the retirement of a good friend and advisor, Charles J. Guddemi. After more than 25 years of law enforcement service, he retired from the U.S. Park Police on 31 December 2016. This issue of the DomPrep Journal, which highlights the achievements and challenges that law enforcement agencies currently face, is a good place to highlight the good work that Charlie has done to protect and serve the employees, residents, and visitors of the country’s national parks and surrounding areas. As the following biography only touches on, Charlie is one officer who exemplifies the high standards and values that all officers should strive to achieve. Charlie, thank you for your life of service to the emergency preparedness, response, and resilience communities!

Charles J. Guddemi began his career with the park police in 1991. He served at the central district and rock creek stations. In 1994, he was assigned to the San Francisco Field Office when the Presidio was transitioning from Army Base to National Park. In 1995, Charlie was reassigned to the NYFO to assist with the establishment of a park police worksite at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. As a Sergeant in the NYFO, Charlie designed an in-depth multi-layered security plan for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island Complex that serves as a model for many of this country’s critical infrastructures. He also established the explosives detection K9 unit there. As a Lieutenant in the New York Field Office, he served as a station commander. As a Captain, he was assigned as the Northeast Regional Law Enforcement Specialist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he oversaw law enforcement operations for some 77 National Parks. He also served in Washington, D.C., as the commander of special forces and the special events unit. He was the principal U.S. Park Police planner for the 2013 Presidential Inauguration. As a Major, he served as commander of the ICON protection unit and the Technical Services Branch. Charlie’s notable achievements include receiving the first ever Department of Interior Office of Law Enforcement and Security Excellence in Security Award as well as graduating from 237th session of the FBI National Academy. Charlie served as the Deputy Chief of Technical Services until his retirement.