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History of NIH Police

Brief History of the National Institute of Health Police Department


Our Mission​

The mission of the NIH Police Department is to provide a safe and secure environment for the National Institute of Health (NIH) community, including employees, patients, and visitors.

The NIH Police Department works to ensure the well-being and safety of everyone on the NIH campus by protecting people and property, preventing crime and enforcing laws, providing emergency response services and building relationships with the community.

NIH Main Campus

NIH Main Campus

The NIH Police Department, also known as the National Institute of Health (NIH) Division of Police, has a unique history. Established in 1971, the department’s primary responsibility is to provide law enforcement and security services to the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. 

The NIH Police Department is one of the few federal law enforcement agencies in the United States with the authority to make arrests and carry firearms. We work closely with other federal agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and local law enforcement, to ensure the safety and security of NIH employees, visitors, and research facilities. 

Rocky Mountain Laboratories

Rocky Mountain Laboratories

​The Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) is a research facility located in Hamilton, Montana, and is part of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is a component of the National Institute of Health. 

NIH Animal Facility

NIH Animal Facility

​The NIH Animal Facility in Poolesville, Maryland, is a part of NIH and supports research programs. The NIH Police have authority over the facility due to federal law enforcement jurisdiction.

National Cancer Institute

National Cancer Institute

​The National Cancer Institute is a pivotal institution in the fight against cancer in the United States. NCI is part of the National Institute of Health and serves as the federal government's principal agency for cancer research and training. The NIH Police have jurisdiction over the National Cancer Institute in Frederick, Maryland, because the NIH is a federal agency and the NCI is one of its institutes. 



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