Capitol police are “fighting to meet existing mission requirements” after this year’s second attack on the complex, union leader Gus Papathanasiou said in a statement this weekend, NBC News reports.
Why it’s important: The union says the agency is approaching “a crisis of morale and strength” in the same way that demands are being renewed to increase security following the death of police officer William “Billy” on Friday. Evans of the Capitol.
Leading the news: Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) to review Capitol security measures, told ABC “This Week” that Capitol police “will have to recruit hard.” to comply with security measures his working group proposed last month.
- The plan envisages expanding the force by 1,100 officers and filling approximately 300 current vacancies.
- Papathanasiou called on Congress to implement the proposal, which also calls for more mobile or retractable fencing.
What it says: “We are struggling to meet the requirements of the existing mission, even with officers working massive amounts of forced overtime,” said Papathanasiou, who added that the agency has dropped 233 officers below its force normally of 2,000 members.
- “In the next 3-5 years we have another 500 officers who will be able to retire. Many of these officers could file their retirement papers tomorrow. I’ve had a lot of younger officers who tell me they’re actively looking at other agencies and departments right now. “
- “We have now lost two officers “Another officer has taken his own life and we have 80 officers who were seriously injured in the insurrection. Some of these wounded officers may never return to service.”
In depth: The Capitol Review Panel recommends more police and mobile fencing