A US Capitol Police car passes the US Capitol in Washington, USA, on January 26, 2021.
Al Drago | Reuters
The United States Capitol Police have suspended six police officers on payment and are investigating the behavior of more than two dozen others involved in responding to the Capitol’s deadly riot, the department told NBC News on Friday.
The department’s investigation into the January 6 attack, which resulted in five deaths and sent a joint session of Congress in search of security, “remains under investigation,” 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 which are currently suspended for payment, the statement said.
Yogananda Pittman, who took over as acting chief shortly after Steven Sund resigned from the USCP following the violation of the Capitol, “has determined that any member of his department whose behavior does not comply with the Department’s Rules of Conduct will face appropriate discipline,” from according to Stolnis.
The investigation update comes days after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., Announced that Congress will establish an independent commission to investigate the invasion of the Capitol by a crowd of former President Donald Trump’s supporters.
Pelosi’s office did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment on the USCP statement.
Dozens of police officers from across the country who participated in the rebellion or attended the nearby Trump rally before the crowd attacked the Capitol, were examined by their departments, according to an Associated Press survey last month. Some faced charges, while others were put on leave, the AP reported.
The security breach that led to Capitol being invaded by Trump’s followers sparked a massive backlash against the USCP and its leadership. The department’s police union this month issued a vote of no confidence to the force’s top leaders, including Pittman.
– Christian Nunley of CNBC contributed to this report.