A U.S. Capitol Police car passes in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, USA on January 26, 2021.
Al Drago | Reuters
U.S. Capitol police said Friday they suspended six salaried officers and are studying the behavior of more than two dozen other people involved in responding to last month’s deadly Capitol riot.
Yogananda Pittman, who took over as acting chief shortly after Steven Sund resigned after the riot, “has ordered any member of his department whose conduct does not comply with the department’s Rules of Conduct to face the proper discipline, “spokesman John Stolnis said in a statement.
The USCP’s Office of Personal Responsibility “is investigating the actions of 35 police officers that day,” six of whom are currently on probation, according to the statement.
The Jan. 6 attack by supporters of then-President Donald Trump trying to overturn the results of the November election left five dead and sent a joint session of Congress seeking security.
The investigation update comes days after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, announced that Congress will establish an independent commission to examine the attack. Pelosi’s office did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on the USCP statement.
Dozens of officers across the country who participated in the riot or attended Trump’s rally before the crowd attacked the Capitol have been scrutinized by their departments, according to an Associated Press poll last month. Some have faced charges, while others have been put on leave, the AP reported.
The security failure that caused the Capitol to be invaded by Trump supporters sparked a massive backlash against the USCP and its leadership. According to reports, the department’s police union cast a no-confidence vote for top force leaders, including Pittman.
– CNBC’s Christian Nunley contributed to this report.