Capitol Police confirm investigation into the behavior of some officers during the riot

Capitol Police confirm investigation into the behavior of some officers during the riot

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The United States Capitol Police confirmed that they are investigating some of their officers’ actions during the Capitol rebellion last week, after the agency was scrutinized for its response.

Acting Capitol Police Chief, Yogananda Pittman released a statement on Monday, saying the department is “actively reviewing videos and other open source material from some USCP officers and employees who appear to be violating the Department’s policies and regulations.”

“Our Office of Professional Responsibility will investigate these behaviors for disciplinary action, up to and including termination,” said Pittman. “Several USCP officers have already been suspended pending the outcome of their investigations.”

The interim chief noted that investigations into last Wednesday’s riots are being conducted in partnership with “numerous” law enforcement agencies.

“The USCP, along with its law enforcement partners, is working aggressively to identify and arrest those involved in destroying property in the United States Capitol Complex,” she wrote. “It is our intention to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”

Pittman became the acting chief on Friday after former Capitol Police Chief Steven Sund announced he would resign amid pressure from the legislator the day after the attack on the Capitol.

Lawmakers and investigators are trying to piece together what happened on January 6 before and during the Capitol security breach, which resulted in at least five deaths, including a Capitol police officer and a woman shot by another Capitol police officer. outside the Chamber chamber.

In his statement, Pittman said he would like to “extend my gratitude for the kind words and prayers” that the agency received in response to the deaths of Brian Sicknick, who died from injuries sustained during the riot, and another officer, Howard Liebengood who also responded to the riot, but died out of service over the weekend, according to The Washington Post.

“Officer Brian D. Sicknick and Officer Howard C. Liebengood were highly respected officers and will be sorely missed by both,” she said.

Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies have received criticism for what civil rights groups and others have pointed out to be a double standard how the police responded to the riots compared to the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer.

Rep. Tim RyanTimothy (Tim) Ryan The New York police chief calls for a 9/11 type commission to investigate any “internal” police support during the Capitol riot. Pelosi orders flags at half-staff for the Capitol officer who died MORE (D-Ohio), who chairs the funding committee that oversees the Capitol Police, told reporters on Monday that two capitol policemen were suspended due to their actions during the invasion.

One of the suspended police officers was a policeman who had been shown on film taking a selfie with one of the protesters, while the other wore a “Make America Great Again” cap and gave instructions to the crowd.

Another police officer was arrested, but Ryan said he did not know if that person was a member of the Capitol Police.

Ryan indicated that there was no evidence of greater cooperation between the police and the protesters.

Last week’s events raised concerns about the president-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenOutgoing Capitol Police Chief accuses House and Senate security officials of hampering efforts to summon the National Guard: WaPo PGA announces plans to transfer the 2022 championship from Trump’s property Former Democratic Senator: Biden Department of Justice can investigate meeting speakers on January 6 MOREopening scheduled for next week. Pittman said in his statement that there will be no public access to the Capitol grounds during the inauguration.

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