In a ceremony Tuesday at the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site attended by Interior Secretary Gale Norton and National Parks Director Fran Mainella, Dwight Pettiford was promoted to chief of the United States Park Police.

Pettiford has almost three decades of experience as a law enforcement officer, including stints as a park ranger and as chief of the Durham (N.C.) Park Police. Most recently, he was deputy chief of the Operations Division of the U.S. Park Police and was accountable for the daily operation of the Washington metropolitan area.

The Park Police were created more than 200 years ago by then-President George Washington. At first, they were responsible only for federal property in the District of Columbia, but in 1882 their powers were expanded to that of the Metropolitan Police Department, and in 1929 their powers were expanded beyond the District. The U.S. Park Police now have jurisdiction over all federal lands.

Catalyst Closes Season With ‘Shkspr Prjct’

The Catalyst Theater Co. will finish its fourth season with “Shkspr Prjct,” an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” The production will open Thursday and run through June 11.

Directed by Kathleen Akerley, artistic director and founder of Longacre Lea Theater Co., the production will feature seven actors that will juggle almost 30 roles. Also, as a twist on the classic story, “Shkspr Prjct” will focus on murder, magic and mayhem.

“Shkspr Prjct” will be performed Thursday through Saturday at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE. Tickets for Thursday evenings and Saturday matinees are $25, or $15 for students and seniors. Friday and Saturday evening tickets cost $30, or $20 for students and seniors. For tickets and additional information, visit www.catalyst theater.com or call (800) 494-TIXS.

Community Action Group Wins Makeover

Washington, D.C.’s Community Action Partnership has been awarded the Microsoft Mid Atlantic Area Association Technology Makeover.

The Community Action Partnership is the national association for more than 1,000 Community Action Agencies. The organization’s goal is to fight poverty at the local level.

“This tremendous opportunity will allow us to significantly enhance our computer system and create an innovative electronic information portal for our members and the low-income people we serve,” said the partnership’s national president, Derrick Len Span. “Information is a potent weapon in the War on Poverty, and thanks to Microsoft and its partners, we can now implement our dream of fighting poverty through technology.”

The organization will receive more than $250,000 in software, services and consulting from Microsoft, Nortec Communications, Protech Associations, SSi Consulting and Susquehanna Technologies, as well as a business assessment to help improve efficiency and productivity.

— Sonny Bunch, Jennifer Lash and Megan King